Page 19 - AWA Vol.41-No.2

ANIMAL HEALTH

Nutreco receives Dutch grant to develop on-farm

solutions to target nitrogen emissions

utreco has received an OPZuid
Ngrant to collaborate with Dutch
dairy farmers on reducing nitrogen
emissions. This funding enables the de-
velopment of on-farm solutions fit for
the Netherlands' environmentally de-
manding dairy sector, preparing us for
future global challenges.
The project, officially named: ‘Realis-
ing the maximal reduction of nitrogen
emissions achievable through dietary
means within the dairy herd of Noord-
Brabant’ is a collaboration between Nu-
treco’s livestock feed business, Trouw
Nutrition and Nutrivice B.V. The project
received a grant from Dutch subsidiary California Davis (USA), Federal Univer- costs for commercial dairies, but also
programme OPZuid (a subsidiary pro- sity of Lavras (Brazil) and Wageningen a positive impact on the environment.
gramme for the three southern Dutch University and Research Centre (NL). Working with farmers in this project
provinces Noord-Brabant, Limburg and is the key in creating acceptance of
Zeeland, backed by EU funding), for a The Dutch grant from OPZuid makes it innovative dietary strategies, and as
period of 4 years. possible to develop on-farm solutions such creating market share said Peter
that work in the most environmentally
The Netherlands is among the coun- demanding dairy reality, the Nether- van Dooren, Managing Consultant and
tries with the most geographically lands, which in turn makes us already Founder of Nutrivice.
dense nitrogen emissions in the world, ready for the future in the rest of the Supporting our purpose of Feeding
where 45% of emissions originate from world said Javier Martín-Tereso, PhD, the Future
the agricultural sector. Noord-Brabant Manager Ruminant Research at Trouw
is province with the highest livestock Nutrition At Nutreco, sustainability is at the
density in the Netherlands. heart of everything we do. We integrate
Toolbox of dietary strategies devel- it into all our business and operational
Local learnings, global perspective oped processes, fulfilling our commitment
Within the consortium, Nutreco deliv- The project consortium aims to de- to delivering sustainable products and
ers extensive knowledge and an R&D velop a toolbox of dietary strategies services. Addressing nitrogen emis-
base (Trouw Nutrition R&D), and Nu- for dairy cows designed to reduce ni- sions aligns closely with our purpose
trivice functions as an indispensable trogen emissions by 10% to 20% com- of "Feeding the Future" by enhancing
link to dairy farmers and their daily pared to current nutritional practices. ruminant efficiency on multiple levels
operations. Trouw Nutrition R&D has These strategies will enhance the ef- and driving meaningful progress to-
years of strategic focus on nitrogen (N) ficiency of converting dietary protein ward more sustainable farming prac-
efficiency to address the global impor- into milk, minimising nitrogen excre- tices.
tance of this topic as limiting factor for tion while maintaining milk produc- Reducing nitrogen emissions plays a
efficiency, profitability and land use tion. By improving the efficiency of milk critical role in mitigating agriculture’s
in tropics (Brazil and India) and North production, farmers can sustain or even environmental impact and preserving
American dairy and beef business, increase output without expanding biodiversity by optimising nitrogen ef-
while being critical to dairy sustain- herd sizes, thereby optimising the use ficiency and ensuring the sustainable
ability in Europe. use of resources. Over time, it also sup-
of land resources.
For this reason, Nutreco has been cho- ports dairy farmers by helping them
The project’s activities focus on ad-
sen as the best candidate to apply this vancing scientific innovation by bridg- remain active without needing to re-
knowledge using the current Dutch N ing the gap between fundamental re- duce their herds or face buyouts due
case in dairy. By initially focusing on the to emission restrictions. Additionally,
Dutch case, the project will also create search and practical applications, with implementing measures focused on
evidence generated directly from com-
valuable lessons for farmers in other mercial dairy farms. nutritional efficiency in cattle enables
important dairy and beef countries the monitoring and improvement of
such as India and Brazil (using differ- Through directly involving dairy their physiological health, advancing
ent farming and feeding systems). For farmers in this project we tackle the animal welfare and addressing issues
that further promote their well-being.
this, Trouw Nutrition collaborates with most prominent risks and generate not
partners, including the University of only growing profitability and reduced Circle 25 on enquiry card

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