Ask Dr. Ross

Dear Dr. Ross,

I see that the fat products that Darling provides are used in animal feeds. What are the benefits of adding fat to animal and poultry feeds?
-Fran

Great question, Fran!
There are many reasons to add fats or oils to animal diets. Numerous reviews have been published on the nutritional value of feed fats for ruminant and non-ruminant animals. Nutritionally, fats are a concentrated source of energy and a source of essential fatty acids. Fats improve palatability, feed efficiency, reproductive efficiency, and the digestibility of certain proteinaceous feeds, as well as alleviate heat stress. Added fats may also reduce dust, lubricate equipment, reduce particle separation and physically improve the feed. There is also evidence that certain fatty acid configurations (i.e. conjugated linoleic acid) may influence nutrient partitioning and have nutraceutical properties.

– Dr. Ross