Corn is mostly genetically modified, needs to be highly processed and is a cause for allergies in people. Thankfully, algae could replace corn as feed for cattle and other livestock. A study published in the Journal of Animal Science shows that algae—microorganisms that can grow in a variety of environments—require less fertilizer, water, land, and herbicides than corn. The materials used in the new study were remnants of algae grown and processed for other applications, such as cosmetics, cooking oil, and biofuels, and would otherwise have been burned as waste. Still, these pre-processed leftovers were able to provide the same amount of protein as corn, along with slightly more fat. Researchers say the algal meal could be priced to compete with corn and could be on the market by 2016.
Algae: the eco-friendly alternative for livestock feed
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