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Possible extent of livestock farming in NRW by exclusive feeding from absolute grassland and the use of human non-edible by-products of food production (Grünland Lebensmittel)
Project
Project code: 17-02.04.01 – 06/2023
Contract period: 08.05.2023
- 31.12.2023
Budget: 66,800 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Ruminants can convert cellulosic feed that is not usable by humans into animal food via the rumen flora. However, competition between animal and human nutrition arises when feed that could be used directly for human nutrition is used in ruminant feeding OR when feed is produced on land that can be used for direct food production. This food competition leads to land use conflicts as the world population continues to rise and planetary boundaries are crossed. Basically and potentially edible byproducts of food production should therefore be made increasingly usable for human nutrition. To this end, (food) technological, legal and economic hurdles must be overcome. For exclusively grassland-based ruminant feeding, the data basis with regard to grassland growth and feed qualities must be evaluated and improved. Together, this information will be used in the project to estimate in a numerical model the possible extent of animal husbandry in NRW by feeding exclusively on absolute grassland and on - also foreseeable technologically potential - non-edible by-products of food production. By increasing resource efficiency in this way, both a change in human nutrition and a change in animal husbandry can make a significant contribution to greater sustainability.
Section overview
Subjects
- Grassland
- Animal Husbandry
- Resource management