Marrying peanuts with poultry benefits both industries

Authors: Toomer, Ondulla; HUGULEY, SHELLEY - South West Farm Press

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2025
Publication Date: 1/28/2025
Citation: Toomer, O.T., Huguley, S.E. 2025. Marrying peanuts with poultry benefits both industries. Popular Publication. https://www.farmprogress.com/peanut/marrying-peanuts-with-poultry-benefits-both-industries.

Interpretive Summary: ARS scientist,in the Food Science and Market Quality and Handling Research Unit located in Raleigh, NC is proving that high-oleic peanuts used in poultry rations can enrich eggs with unsaturated fats, increase beta carotene levels, and reduce saturated fats. The U.S. Southeast dominates peanut and poultry production, but the need for poultry feed components “far exceeds” this region’s ability to produce those ingredients to support poultry production. This collaborative research with North Carolina State University Extension shows that replacing soybean meal with unblanched high-oleic peanuts or using the peanuts as a supplement to soybean meal in poultry feed nutritionally enriches the eggs and poultry meat.

Technical Abstract: ARS scientist,in the Food Science and Market Quality and Handling Research Unit located in Raleigh, NC is proving that high-oleic peanuts used in poultry rations can enrich eggs with unsaturated fats, increase beta carotene levels, and reduce saturated fats. The U.S. Southeast dominates peanut and poultry production, but the need for poultry feed components “far exceeds” this region’s ability to produce those ingredients to support poultry production. This collaborative research with North Carolina State University Extension shows that replacing soybean meal with unblanched high-oleic peanuts or using the peanuts as a supplement to soybean meal in poultry feed nutritionally enriches the eggs and poultry meat.