Peanut skins are high in tannin, which results in severe performance depressed in beef cattle. To counteract this, additional N sources can be added to the diet of cattle. CP in dairy cattle diets can be up to 16%, making peanut hulls an excellent choice for cattle finishing diets. In addition, peanut hulls can serve as bedding in loafing sheds for dairy cows. Other uses for peanut hulls include cattle feed, manufactured products, and fuel.
Contents
Nutrient content
Compared to other protein sources, peanut skins are relatively low in bulk density and can create logistical problems. Their chemical composition is about 25 percent fat, 17 percent protein, and 65 percent TDN. Peanut skins also contain substantial amounts of tannin, which inhibit the digestibility of protein and reduce the animal’s palatability. Because of these disadvantages, peanut skins should not be fed to cattle at higher levels than 10% of their diet.
A recent study showed that whole peanuts in a control group were equivalent to 82% TDN and 25% CP in a mature cow. This difference indicates that the peanut supplement was more valuable for energy than the corn-cottonseed meal control. Although peanuts are highly nutritious, their high fat content limits their use as primary feed for cattle. Nevertheless, many farmers still use peanut skins as a source of energy for cattle.
Mycotoxin content
The presence of molds in the feed is not always indicative of mycotoxin production. Molds produce mycotoxins only under certain conditions, and those conditions are not common in feeds produced in Manitoba. Mold growth may also occur during processing and storage when moisture content is greater than 15%. When it occurs, the presence of molds in feeds is a sign of potential microbial contamination, and further testing may be necessary to ensure safety.
Fusarium species produce aflatoxin, a toxin causing a variety of diseases in both humans and livestock. Fusarium species infect many different plants, including cereals, grain, and legumes. They are known to cause ear rot in corn and scab or head blight in cereal crops. Aflatoxins have been found in various countries across Africa, but are particularly problematic in Canada.
Economic value
The economic value of peanut skins as a cattle feed ingredient can be considerable. Although peanuts are expensive, peanut skins contain antimicrobial compounds that could be useful as an additive in cattle feed. To test the effectiveness of peanut skins as an antibacterial additive, sixty male hatchlings were randomly assigned to a diet containing peanut skins without SE inoculation and 160 to a diet containing SE inoculation.
In the beef industry, peanut hulls and skins are used as a roughage source up to 20 percent of beef finishing diets. In the dairy industry, peanut hulls and skins are used as bedding for dairy cattle loafing sheds and are available in numerous processed products. Although peanut hulls are highly nutritious, their high tannin content can reduce protein digestibility and palatability. As a roughage source, peanut skins can increase milk production in dairy cows.
Safety
While the high tannin content of peanut skins can cause severe depressions in performance, this is an unnecessary risk for beef cattle. Adding additional sources of N to beef cattle diets will help compensate for the negative effects of peanut skins. Additionally, peanut hulls can be used as roughage up to 20% of beef finishing diets. In addition, peanut hulls are also suitable for bedding in cattle loafing sheds.
Although peanut hulls are cheaper than other by-products, they contain little protein and are generally not considered a primary feed for beef cattle. Since peanut by-products are relatively inexpensive, they can be included in a variety of diets and supplements for cattle. Aside from peanuts, there are many other by-products of the peanut crop. Cull-fresh potatoes are a suitable choice for cattle, as they can be fed in whole or chopped form. Although peanut skins contain some levels of aflatoxin, feed in moderate amounts for dairy cows.
Cost
Peanut skins are a by-product of peanut processing. It contains significant levels of protein and fat and is an ideal feed for livestock. However, there are some challenges associated with the use of peanut skins in cattle diets. Here are some tips to make use of peanut skins in cattle feed production. This high-fat and high-protein by-product can reduce cattle’s body fat content. Aside from lowering the cost of feeding cattle, peanut skins also have a number of useful uses.
While peanut skins are economically priced, they are difficult to auger and require additional processing. They are not recommended as primary cattle feed, but can be mixed with other grains for a variety of diets and supplements. Although they are high in fiber, peanut skins are not a good source of CP. However, peanut by-products are much cheaper than other sources of protein and fat. Besides, these by-products can be used in other animal feeds for added fiber and protein.
