High quality feed additive - pine needle powder
Pine needle powder is produced by collecting young shoots and needles that have been trimmed, then drying and grinding them into a fine powder. The needles are light green with a pleasant fragrance and are considered a promising feed additive for livestock and poultry. This product has gained attention in recent years as an alternative to traditional feed components.
The use of pine needle powder in animal feed has been well established in many foreign countries, where it has been industrialized for years. However, in China, the technology is still in its early stages. Most of the raw materials are currently treated as fuelwood or discarded as waste, leading to resource wastage and creating breeding grounds for forest pests. Additionally, this practice increases the risk of forest fires.
China is home to a variety of pine species, including Korean pine, larch, masson pine, white pine, and black pine. According to estimates, China has approximately 70 million hectares of coniferous forests. If we consider an average of 3 tons of pine needles per hectare, the annual production of pine needles could reach up to 210 million tons. By utilizing these materials effectively, we can save significant amounts of grain-based feed and vitamins, improve the quality of animal products, reduce feed costs, and boost economic returns for farmers.
**Feeding Value of Pine Needle Powder**
Pine needle powder is rich in carotene, which ranges from 69 to 356 mg/kg. Carotene can be converted into vitamin A in animals, helping prevent skin diseases caused by vitamin A deficiency.
It also contains high levels of vitamins C and E. Vitamin C content is between 950 and 2203 mg/kg, which supports growth, enhances immunity, and helps prevent common diseases. Vitamin E, ranging from 201 to 1266 mg/kg, helps protect cell membranes from oxidation and contributes to anti-aging effects.
In addition, pine needle powder is a good source of protein, with contents varying between 8% and 15.2% depending on the species. It contains a wide range of amino acids, including eight essential ones for animals.
The powder is also rich in trace elements such as copper, manganese, iron, zinc, selenium, cobalt, and molybdenum, which are more abundant than those found in yarrow. It also contains lipids, with crude fat levels between 3.8% and 13.1%, and unsaturated fatty acids that can enhance meat quality.
Moreover, pine needle powder contains natural plant fungicides and hormones that help inhibit harmful microorganisms and promote the growth of livestock and poultry.
**Test Results and Usage Levels**
Studies show that adding 3% pine needle powder to chicken feed improves immune function, disease resistance, and survival rates while promoting chick growth. In one experiment, adding 6% pine needle powder to laying hens increased egg production by 9.1%, fertilization rate by 94.1%, and saved 15.1% in feed.
For rabbits, adding 2% to 5% to the diet significantly improves sexual behavior and fertility. In pigs, adding 3% to 5% increased weight gain by over 15%, saving 0.11 kg of concentrate per kilogram of weight gain. Piglets supplemented with pine needle powder during weaning showed a 17.64% increase in weight gain, proving its economic value.
Typical usage levels are 3–5% for pigs, cattle, and sheep; 3.5–5.5% for chickens and ducks; and 4% for aquatic animals.
**Processing Methods and Precautions**
After collection, fresh pine needles should be dried in a cool, ventilated area. Drying temperature should be kept between 80–90°C, with regular moisture checks. When the moisture content drops to 8–10%, the material can be ground into powder. The finished product should be stored in black plastic bags in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated place for no longer than two months to preserve its nutritional value.
The processing steps include: collecting raw materials (pine branches), transporting to the facility, unloading, stacking, defoliation and chopping, drying, crushing, and packaging. Key equipment includes defoliators, choppers, dryers, pulverizers, and air supply systems.
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