| EARTHWORM MEAL A source of protein for non-conventional feeding of sheep Dr. Luis Alberto Miranda Romero The earth worm is a biotechnological process of great interest to producers of ecological sustainability and economy. The biotechnological use the red Californian earthworm (Eisenia foetida) to recycle organic waste and, in turn, obtain fertilizer (humus and humic acids) of high nutrient value for growing plants is already and increasingly recognized . Some research (Vielma-Rendon et al., 2003, Safiya et al,2001, Gonzalez et al., 2008) have shown that it is also a high potential and feasible biotechnology as a protein and amino acid food source for a variety of animals, including sheep. This is accomplished through the conversion of whole earth worms into dried, Earth Worm Meal (EM),high in protein (60 - 80% ) which is also of high additional nutritional value for its stock of amino acids and high in vitro digestibility. Because of these is as yet little known potentials, IPN researchers have elaborated protein-enriched, earth worm products for human consumption. On the other hand, worm meal can also be used as an unconventional ingredient in the formulation and preparation of diets for fish, poultry and rabbits (Morón-Fuenmator et al., 2008, Gonzalez et al., 2008), but is it feasible to use in larger animals like sheep? As you will see below, the answer is an unequivocal "Yes". The high speed of growth of the California red worm is used to estimate the potential for the production of earthworm meal. It is estimated that in a worm farm, managed efficiently,there are 2000 worms per cubic meter (m3)* equivalent to 8 kg of wet biomass ( live worms). This population of worms consumes 4 kg per m3 of composted cow manure per month. During "harvesting" of the worms, 30% (2.4kg/m3) can be removed monthly without affecting the ongoing function and sustainability of the system. With this rate of extraction per cubic meter, 30kg of worm meat/biomass is obtained per year (3 kg dry matter/DM) or 2.4 kg of high quality protein, considering it contains the 8% crude protein (CP) and 90% humidity. If this biotechnology is implemented, for example, in a dairy herd of 100 cows of 500 kg BW, which generate 600 kg of feces (6 kg DM feces head-1 d-1), it is possible to obtain 500 kg d-1 of substrate wet processing and to feed the earthworm population contained in a kennel of 125 m2. This results in are 375 kg of meal worm or 300 kg of high quality protein per year and available for use as an ingredient in the formulation of a supplement for sheep or other minor species of zoo technical interest. What is the strategy suggested in the food supply of sheep which are fed worm meal? With this amount of production, worm meal can be substituted for conventional protein sources (soybeans, hay alfalfa, sorghum) in the formulation of diets or dietary supplements for sheep. By example, Partida (2008) suggested a diet for corralled sheep** ending with 14% CP and 2.8 Mcal of ME, which consists of: sorghum (52%), soybean meal (8%), alfalfa groomed (22%), corn stover (7%) and molasses (10%). Earthworm meal protein can replace the protein provided by alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum, generally equivalent to 12% protein . In this case, with 375 kg of 60% worm protein, can produce 1.8 tons of food at a rate of 1.2 kg of feed per head per day, enough to feed 33 sheep for 45 days (time to reach their market weight). The relevance of earthworm meal is its use in supplements. Gomez et al. (2009) proposed the following diet for sheep in the state of Yucatan: Sorghum (50%), Jaragua (35%), soybean meal (10%), urea (1.03%), molasses (3.97%). The jaragua or any other tropical forage such as Taiwan, can be used as a base and grazed. The other ingredients are offered in a meal supplement where worm meal can replace the protein derived from soybeans and sorghum (approximately 9.3%) so that with the estimated amount of worm meal produced (375 kg) can produce 2.4 tons of concentrate. In this case sheep consume between 600 and 800g of additional protein per head per day, sufficient for 4000 servings (89 sheep supplemented for 45 days). The suggested strategy is to use a worm meal supplement replacing 50% of the total protein diet, the other 50% can be provided by urea, chicken manure and grass of the locality (Pelcastre, 2009). Thus, with the 375 kg will produce 4.7 tons of worm meal supplement which can be used throughout the period of drought ("La Sequia") or shortage of forage (approximately 120 days) to maintain or gain 14kg per head live weight for 65 sheep from weaning. The use of worm meal for food with other animals such as rabbits (Gonzalez, 2008) may have a greater impact. In the study of González (2008) the proportion of worm flower in the diet was low (3%) under that it occurred in the feces of the same rabbit farm, which limits the production of worm not substrate have enough to feed the earthworm but if the worm meal comes from farms where use bovine feces (Cattle Manure) as in the example above, then you can increase the proportion of worm meal in the diet to 11% equivalent to 6.6% CP in the diet and 3.5 ton of food that would occur, would be enough to feed some 750 rabbits for 35 days to reach required weight to the sale. Finally, it is important to note that aside from the worm meal, the producer also generates nutrient rich humus equivalent to 850 kg m3. For the example described above, it will be producing 106 tons per annum of high value compost not only nutritious and of great utility on one´s own farm/ranch but also commercially valuable ($ 2.000. ° ° MN ton-1at the time this article was written). The implementation of a system of worm farming combined with corralled or stabled cattle, allows the producer a good handling of the manure as a valuable resource that reduces environmental impact which also offers additional economic benefits through the use and sale of humus and the production and use of earthworm meal. With the latter is prepared food or supplements fattening food for small animals (sheep), thereby saving the cost of soybean or other conventional ingredients, ( IE. "balanced bagged foods", and other supplements currently and mainly from imports which increasingly make it impossible for local ranchers of all kinds to break even, let alone generate a profit) Comment added. Partida de la Pena, ARMANDO. 2008. Pelibuey Sheep: fattening in stabled or corralled conditions for finalizing to sale weight. IN: NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR Sustainable rural development. URL Meal Worm A. Gomez, Rogelio Hernandez G. Jesus Castellanos R. Arthur. 2009. Evaluation of growth pelibuey sheep fed with increasing levels of dietary energy. E-Campo.com. http://www.e-campo.com/media/news/nl/ganovinosnutricion2.htm PELCASTRE O., ARTURO. 2009. Pelibuey tropical Sheep: FATTENING IN SOUTHEAST MEXICO. IN: NATIONAL SYSTEM RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR SUSTAINABLE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT . HTTP:/ /WWW.SNITT.ORG.MX/OVINOS_IDX.HTML Vielma-Rondon, R., Ovalle-Durán JF, Leon-Leal A. and Mitchell A. 2003. Nutritional flour earthworm (Eisenia foetida) as a source of amino acids and their quantitative estimation by chromatography reverse phase (HPLC) and precolumn derivatization with o-Phthalaldehyde (OPA). Ars Pharmaceutica, 44 (1): 43-58. Safiya G., D. N., J Ly, M. Macias, M. Caron and V. Martinez. 2001. Some aspects of the nutritive value Venezuelan food for monogastric animals. Livestock Research for Rural Development 13:2 González M. RLA and Rodriguez de Miranda LR. 2008. Productive parameters and carcass characteristics of rabbits fed diets containing earthworm (Eisenia fetida) meal. Proceedings of the Livestock Research Meeting, 2008. November 3rd to 8th, Merida Yucatan. ABBREVIATIONS: HL: Meal worm PC: Crude protein EM: Metabolizable Energy DM: Dry Matter PV: Live Weight IPN: National Polytechnic Institute ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * In terms of rapid reproduction, it should be noted that populations of Californiensis, under optimum conditions, will expand in 8 weeks from a starter population (per m3) of just 250 adults to a population if 1,750 or more. That is a 7:1 multiplier every 8 weeks which also includes the conversion 1 cubic (m3) meter of compost into worm casings/humus in the same period. Therefore, to reach a population of 2,000 worms as mentioned above in just 8 weeks, you would introduce approximately 286 adult worms (just over 1kg) into 1 m3 (cubic meter) of composted substratum. 8 weeks later, you would have 14,000 worms and certainly be over crowding so that as the study above states, and according to other studies, you can easily "harvest" 30% of the worms per month without upsetting the balance or functioning of your production system. ** Corralled for faster weight gain and "finishing" to optimum weight for sale vs let out to pasture to graze over longer period and with varying maturing rates, especially in climates where exist months of cold and snow or high temperatures and dry pasture lands, such as in the Yucatán during the "dry season". |
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