Guam Sustainable Pellet Feed for Livestock

Project Overview

FW25-003
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2025: $13,111.00
Projected End Date: 09/01/2026
Grant Recipient: Familian K Farm
Region: Western
State: Guam
Principal Investigator:
Jay Quinata
Familian K Farm

Commodities

  • Agronomic: barley, corn
  • Additional Plants: herbs, native plants

Practices

  • Animal Production: feed/forage, feed formulation, feed management
  • Education and Training: demonstration, display, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, workshop
  • Farm Business Management: community-supported agriculture
  • Sustainable Communities: food access and security, public participation, sustainability measures

    Proposal summary:

    Guam has seen an increase of poultry production whether its backyard or pasture raised chickens. One of the main concerns with the residents as well as farmers is the increase of imported feed for both the day-old chicks, maintenance feed, and finally the layer feed. Feed has increased dramatically from $23.00 per sack 50lb of feed to $42.00 per sack of 50lb. 

    With the byproducts of Guam's businesses being discarded, this can be the solution to feeding our livestock by converting them into pellets.  Local businesses are discarding items that can be pelleted feed for livestock.  This includes the following: barley, oyster shells, eggs shells, corn, and green vegetables. 

    There will be a conference for farmers and interested parties to attend and participate in both a conference and on-site visits with Familian K Farm that is locally owned and operated.

    The success of the project will assist all livestock farmers, ranchers and backyard farmers. It will provided farmers an alternative option on purchasing feed at a lower cost on Guam.  The costs will be determined with the assistance Dr. Liu, Animal science professor. 

    Project objectives from proposal:

       Guam has seen an increase of poultry production, whether its backyard or pasture raised chickens. One of the main concerns with the residents as well as farmers is the increase of imported feed for both day-old chicks, maintenance feed, and finally the layer feed.  Feed has increased dramatically from $23.00 per 50lb sack of feed to double that amount that has become unaffordable.  As of 10/6/2024 the feed is up to $42.00 per 50lb sack.

    Our objective is to use our local byproducts and convert them into pellets that have the necessary nutrients needed for our livestock on Guam.  8 chickens for 4 samples ( 32 total hens) will be selected for this trial,  they will be in a controlled up-coop and will be provided feed that been processed into pellets.

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.