Nutrient profiling of locally available pig feed resources on small-scale farms in the Cape Metropole, South Africa

Abstract

This study assessed the seasonal availability and nutrient profiles of pig feedstuffs present on small-scale farms in the Cape Metropole, South Africa. Eighty-two feedstuffs (54 in winter and 28 in summer) were collected from 50 small-scale urban pig farms in five low-income, high-density suburbs in the Cape Metropole. There was an association between season and feed category, with fruit wastes and bakery wastes (contributing 36% and 19% of total feed samples, respectively) being the most abundant feedstuffs in summer and winter, respectively. Fruit and vegetable wastes had the lowest dry matter (<25%) and highest crude fibre (>10%) concentrations, regardless of the season. Soybean and milk mix, spinach, and Russian sausage waste had the highest crude protein (31%–48%) and amino acid concentrations in summer. In winter, soybean and fish meal mix, dry commercial feed, and ice cream and cheese mix were the predominant sources of crude protein (31%–35%) and amino acids. Irrespective of season, kitchen wastes containing meat and dairy by-products and bakery wastes containing legume seeds had the highest ether extract (16%–34%) and gross energy (20–24 MJ/kg) values. Spinach and wheat by-products were the richest sources of minerals in summer and winter, respectively. Small-scale farmers in the surveyed areas could use legume grains and vegetable, meat, and dairy wastes as sources of protein, amino acids, and minerals, while kitchen wastes containing meat or dairy by-products and bakery wastes containing legume seeds could be used as energy feedstuffs to formulate customised, cost-optimised, and balanced homemade diets for pigs. (Submitted 11 September 2025; Accepted 07 December 2025; Published 05 February 2026)