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Impact of indigenous legumes as feed supplements for Holstein calf rearing and bull fattening with regard to health aspects and development of the digestive system
Project
Project code: 2821EPS015
Contract period: 15.09.2023
- 14.09.2026
Budget: 346,044 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: protein plants, animal feed, climate protection, sustainability, Nährstoffversorgung, protein feed, cattle, soybean
The current practice of protein supply for ruminants is largely based on soy imports and contradicts to the mission of sustainable use of regional resource and reducing negative environmental impacts of agricultural production. In calf rearing, soy products are already used in the preruminal phase for an adequate supply due to their high crude protein content and favourable amino acid composition. The project supports the efforts to replace soy products with alternative regional legumes in growing ruminants. Studies on this topic mainly dealt with the feeding of adult dairy cows and bulls and focused at performance parameters in limited time periods. However, there is still an urgent need for research on the usability and health effects of soy products and indigenous legume in the early growth phase of calves. Anti-nutritive factors produced by soy and other legumes could have a long-term effect on health and the digestive system. This project aims to use a holistic experimental approach to gain findings for further development of soy-free feeding strategies in rearing and young cattle husbandry and should also be implemented in conventional husbandry systems. In particular, aspects of the health effects of soy products and indigenous legumes in the early development and growth phase of calves are investigated. As a result, conclusions can be drawn for the practical use of indigenous protein crops in rations for growing cattle considering the coverage of energy and nutrient requirements as well as animal health aspects. The data will be transferred as application recommendations for practical rations in ruminant feeding.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal nutrition
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI)
