TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Livestock Research Institute has spent five years researching the use of fruit peel residues in animal feed.

Circular agriculture aims to convert agricultural by-products, like rice straw and manure, into feed, fertilizer, and energy. It reduces the use of chemicals, protects resources, and promotes ecological balance, according to the agricultural ministry.

Pineapple, orange, and lemon peel are now used in feed at farms, with the proportion not exceeding 30%, LRI head Lin Cheng-bin (林正斌) said. Cattle enjoy pineapple skin, and lemon peel has overcome flavor challenges, per CNA.

The institute is also researching the use of high-moisture fruits like dragon fruit skins and cabbage, but adding hay or grain bran increases costs. They are working on solutions.

Chen Chien-liang (陳建良), chair of Liangmu Co., shared that he collects fruit peel from processors, grinds them, and ferments them to create feed additives. This method cuts feed costs by nearly 20%, helping mitigate rising prices.

Pineapple skin is naturally sweet and preferred by cattle, while lemon peel’s bitterness and sourness make it harder to use. However, anaerobic fermentation breaks down these flavors, making them more palatable to animals.

Cattle farmers in Chiayi already use lemon peel residue in feed. Lin noted that Taiwan produces 20,000 metric tons (20 million kg) of lemons and 300,000 to 400,000 kg of pineapples annually.

Fruit peel makes up 40-50% of the produce. To obtain the fruit peel, collaboration with fruit processors is necessary.

Chen added that he monitors the amount of fruit peel cattle consume to avoid diarrhea — caused by high moisture content. Other by-products he uses include orange peel, edamame pods, and corn cobs.