The animals used in these industries have to engage in vigorous exercise and activity and require specified feed to sustain energy. The market is segmented by type into proteins, minerals, vitamins, and energy ingredients, with protein being the most consumed occupying the largest market share. These ingredients are majorly fed to animals to improve their stamina and muscle, so that they give a tough competition to the opponent. Horse feed is the most widely used type in terms of consumption due to use by the horse race industry. Dog game feed is the second leading animal type in terms of consumption due to the popular use of dogs in hunting, racing, and dog shows.

Growing Popularity of Animal Sports

Popular forms of animal sport and entertainment are racing, fighting, hunting, and animal shows. Racing is the most popular form of animal-related sport across the world, in particular horse racing and dogsled racing. Horse racing is of great economic interest as a major part of the sport relies on the gambling associated with it, in 2008 the gambling from horse races generated a worldwide market worth of around USD138 billion. The various forms of horse racing include flat racing, jump racing, harness racing, and endurance racing. Various types of breeds are used for the various kinds of races. The most common types of breeds used in horse racing include Thoroughbred, Arabian horse, and Quarter Horse. Each of these breeds require a different nutritional requirement. While the common base of the feed used for all types of race horses is forages such as legumes and grasses, secondary concentrates such as grains, pellets, and supplements vary. Moreover, race horses require higher concentrations of quality protein and minerals to provide energy expended during rigorous activity and sport. For this reason specialized game feed for Equine sport has the highest market share.
Another popular form of racing is dogsled racing which dates back to the 19th century in US, and a popular form of racing in the colder regions of North America. Unlike dog feed used for sedentary household dogs, sled race dogs have specialized nutritional needs. The higher activity by these dogs requires that the feed have higher protein to provide essential amino acids, such as valine, histidine, tryptophan, and methionine, for muscle condition, tissue repair, and hormone synthesis. These dogs also expend more calories, as a result they require more fats and carbohydrates then household pet dogs. Dogs are also the main animal species used for hunting and animal shows, while hunting dogs have similar nutritional requirement to that of sled race dogs, show dogs have their main appeal in the appearance and consequently the main focus is on the fur of the animal. Dog feed used for dog shows contain high level of protein and amino acid to maintain a top quality coat.
In many South Asian countries, such as India and the Philippines, cockfights is firmly ingrained in the culture. Moreover, bullfighting is legal as a traditional spectacle in Spain, Portugal, parts of southern France and some Latin American countries (Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru). Game feed for fighting sports such as cockfighting and bullfighting therefore sees market potential despite banning of animal fighting in many countries.

Increased Concern of Animal Rights and Protection

The practice of using animals for entertainment is a long standing tradition in many cultures. Animal sport and entertainment are racing, fighting, hunting, and animal shows. However, the increased anthropomorphization of animals has created awareness among the people across the world to treat animals with more care and concern. Other than well-known animal rights organizations a PETA and the Humane Society. In recent years there have been organizations which specifically work to bring awareness in use of animals for sport and entertainment.

Limitations on animal sport have been enacted in much of the world. Certain animal sports, such as bullfighting and cockfighting remain legal under varying degrees of control in certain parts of the world. Moreover, many organizations such as PETA are fighting to ban horseracing and animal entertainment shows such as dog shows. This negatively impacts the market growth for game feed, which completely relies on the continuation of these sports.

Key Developments:

• November 2017: Purina Animal Nutrition replacing one of its St. Joseph facilities with an updated 170,000-square-foot animal feed manufacturing plant.
• August 2017: Cargill Inc. plans to buy Southern States Cooperative Inc.’s animal feed business, a move that expands its presence in the southern and eastern US.

Major Players – CARGILL, FORFARMERS, A-ONE, WES ENTERPRISES, WENDLAND'S, amongst others.

Reasons to Purchase this Report

• Study on the adoption of commercial game feed in developed regions and its effects on the horse race industry.
• Analyzing various perspectives of the market with the help of Porter’s five forces analysis.
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• Study on the region expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period.
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