Resource-Efficient Innovations in Livestock Production

Resource-efficient developments have become a necessity in the context of animal nutrition, and the production of animal derived products. While animal-source foods constitute a vital part of the global food supply and serve as crucial protein sources, their production significantly strains agricultural land and water resources. Understanding the direct and indirect competition between livestock production and food crop cultivation on a global scale is imperative.

A study employing an agro-hydrological model, coupled with crop-specific yield data, has revealed promising insights into reducing this strain. By substituting 11–16% of energy-rich feed crops, such as cereals and cassava, with agricultural by-products, substantial savings in land and water resources can be achieved. This strategy could spare approximately 15.4–27.8 million hectares of land, along with significant volumes of blue and green water resources, fostering sustainability in agricultural practices.

The findings underscore the potential for mitigating the unsustainable use of natural resources, both locally and globally, by reallocating resources to other food crop productions. Moreover, it highlights the direct competition between animal and plant food production sectors.

Agricultural by-products, including cereal bran, sugar beet pulp, molasses, distillery residues, and citrus pulp, offer promising alternatives to traditional feed crops. Camilla Govoni, a researcher at Politecnico de Milano, emphasizes that integrating these by-products into animal diets not only reduces resource competition but also enhances food security by redirecting saved resources towards the production of plant-based foods, thus promoting healthier and more sustainable dietary choices.