Biorefining process could make grass digestible for pigs, chickens, and fish

Currently, grass is mainly used directly as animal feed for cows and other ruminants. These animals have multi-compartmental stomachs that are specialized in breaking down plant fibers.

In a biorefining process, the plant material receives rough treatment in a screw press, releasing valuable nutrients from the plant cells together with the liquid fraction. This allows grass proteins to be concentrated into a protein feed that is digestible even for animals with a simple stomach, such as poultry, pigs and fish.

NIBIO recently opened Norway's first pilot plant for green biorefining at Tuv experimental farm in Steinkjer.

"Over 50% of agricultural production in Norway is grass. At the same time, we have a lot of seaweed along the Norwegian coast, with up to 30% protein content. We envision developing the plant along these two lines," said Audun Korsaeth, Director of the Division of Food Production and Society at NIBIO, during the opening of the green biorefinery. Kors?th emphasized that the combination of grass and algae would allow the biorefinery plant to be utilized throughout the year.

Image source: Steffen Adler.