CONTRIBUTION OF GM

TECHNOLOGY TO THE
LIVESTOCK SECTOR
 GM crops have caused significant benefits to both
farmers and consumers. It has minimized the used
of pesticides and provided higher crop yield and
improved product quality. GM crops have also
benefited the livestock sector through increased
yields and quality of feed ingredients.
 FUTURE DEMAND FOR LIVESTOCK
PRODUCTS AND FEED GRAINS
The demand for livestock products will increase
dramatically as population increase. Moreover,
urbanization and rising income will cause
consumption of meat, milk, and eggs to raise.
Consumption of meat is also set to increase by
2020.
 GMO materials in GM feed ingredients
Transgenic crops used for feed area modified for
herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, oil content,
and virus resistance. Proteins expressed GM crops
are safe and are similar to naturally-occurring
proteins.
GM feed ingredient in livestock diet
Livestock producers in many parts of the world
prefer corn grain and soybean meals for energy
and/ or protein source in both monogastric and
ruminant diets.
 Safety assessment of GM products
GM crop pass through extensive testing and along
approval process. This includes comprehensive
analyses to ensure food, feed and environmental
safety before being commercialized.
The first step in safety assessment of GM products
is the determine if the products is equivalent to
conventional counterparts.
 Safety of GM feed crops
Nicolia et al.(2013) analyzed 1,783 studies of safety
of GM crops published from 2002. The main
concerns about GE food/ feed consumption are
safety of the inserted genes, the proteins from
transgenes, in the changes in crop composition.
Based on findings, there were no significant
hazards linked to GE crops.
 SOME GM CROPS USED FOR LIVESTOCK FEED

Feed crop Improved Traits No. of Approved GM

Events
Alfalfa Herbicide tolerance, 4
modified product quality
Argentine Canola Herbicides tolerance, 32
modified product
quality, pollination
control system.
Bean Viral diseases resistance 1
Chicory Herbicides tolerance, 3
pollination control
system.
Cotton Insect resistance, 44
herbicide tolerance
Creeping Herbicides tolerance 1
Bentgrass
Feed crop Improved Traits No. of approved GM
events
Flax Herbicides tolerance 1
Maize/corn Modified product quality, 124
insect resistance,
herbicide tolerance,
pollination control
system, abiotic stress
tolerance.
Papaya Disease resistance 2
Plum Disease resistance 1
Polish canola Herbicides tolerance 4
Potato Insect resistance, disease 40
resistance, herbicides
tolerance, modified
product quality

Rice Insect resistance, 4

herbicide tolerance
Feed crop Improved Traits No. of Approved GM
crops

Soybean Modified product 27

quality herbicides
tolerance, insect
resistance, altered
growth/ yield.
Squash Diseases resistance 2

Sugar beet Herbicides tolerance 3

Tomato Modified product 11

quality, disease
resistance, insect
resistance
Wheat Herbicides tolerance 1
 Future of GM feed crops
GM feed ingredient will continue to benefit
livestock with improved feed qualities. Future GM
feed crop will also have enhanced nutritional
characteristics.
GM crops expressing antigens from microbes are
also being developed. Edible vaccines delivered via
feeds can potentially control diseases in livestock.
 Conclusion
The first generation of GM crops has directly
benefited livestock production through increased
quantity and quality of feed. Future GM crops with
enhanced output traits can improved animal
productivity and performance. These will definitely
contribute to helping feed the growing world
population.