Yes. Guar meal is used in animal feed, mainly for cattle and other ruminants, with smaller use in poultry and fish feed. It is a by-product of making guar gum, and it is a useful protein source where it is available at a fair price.
Its use in poultry and pigs is limited by the residual gum and other anti-nutritional factors in the meal. Formulators keep inclusion low for those animals.
For an importer, guar meal is mostly a regional product. It is bought by feed makers in India and nearby markets, and supply is tied to how much guar gum is being made. Check availability with the processor before you build it into a formula.
Where guar meal comes from
Guar seed has three parts: the hull, the germ and the endosperm. The endosperm is split off and processed into guar gum. The hull and germ that remain are sold as guar meal. The steps are explained in the difference between guar split, guar meal and guar gum powder.
- Guar korma: mainly germ, with higher protein.
- Guar churi: mainly hull with some germ, with lower protein and more fibre.
- Guar meal: a general term, sometimes a blend of korma and churi.
Feeding value and limits
Korma is commonly traded as a high-protein meal, while churi is lower. Exact figures vary by plant and batch, so ask for test results rather than relying on a quoted grade name.
The meal carries some residual galactomannan gum, which can make feed sticky in the gut of monogastric animals and slow growth. It also contains trypsin inhibitors and saponins. Heat treatment and toasting can reduce some of these effects. Ruminants handle the meal better, which is why cattle feed is its main market.
Ask your nutritionist to set an inclusion limit for each animal and test the meal you actually receive.
What to specify
- Type: korma, churi or a blend, and in what proportion.
- Crude protein and crude fibre, as-is.
- Moisture and acid insoluble ash.
- Whether the meal has been toasted or heat treated.
- Aflatoxin and salmonella.
- Pesticide residues, since the seed is a field crop.
- Form: powder or pellets, and packing.
Supply
India grows most of the world's guar, mainly in Rajasthan, with some in Gujarat and Haryana. Guar meal supply therefore follows guar gum production, which follows demand from the food and the oil and gas industries. When gum demand is low, less meal is made. See what guar gum is and where it is produced in India.
How we help
We find guar processors who sell korma and churi, confirm the type and treatment of the meal, and test protein, fibre and aflatoxin at an NABL-accredited lab. We also inspect lots before loading. Ask for a free sourcing review.