Based on current productivity, by 2050 global broiler feed production will have to increase by 72 percent and feed for layers will need to increase by 58 percent compared with current levels if projected increases in demand for poultry meat and eggs are to be satisfied.
The warning was given by Nick Major, ForFarmers corporate affairs director, during his presentation of the 22nd Terperton Fellowship for Poultry Research Report in London this month.
He continued that demand for feed has to be met within the context of a limited amount of new land being allocated to agricultural production, and competition for commodities from several sources, including biofuels and from other species groups.
However, other factors will come into play in mitigating the forecast demand for poultry feed.
“The very close relationship between all parts of the poultry industry – genetics, nutrition, health, management and biosecurity – has contributed to ongoing improvements in feed conversion efficiency,” said Major.
“The potential for mitigating the additional demand for feed by further improvements in feed efficiency have been calculated and, because of the scale of the poultry industry, could lead to a significant reduction in the additional feed required over this long-term period.”
