Review: New feeds and new feeding systems in intensive and semi-intensive forage-fed ruminant livestock systems

Abstract

The contributions that ruminant livestock make to greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions are well documented and of considerable policy and public concern. At the same time, livestock production continues to play an important role in providing nutrient-rich foodstuffs for many people, particularly in less developed countries. They also offer a means by which plants that cannot be digested by humans, e.g. grass, can be converted into human-edible protein. In this review, we consider opportunities to improve nutrient capture by ruminant livestock through new feeds and feeding systems concentrating on intensive and semi-intensive systems, which we define as those in which animals are given diets that are designed and managed to be used as efficiently as possible. We consider alternative metrics for quantifying efficiency, taking into account resource use at a range of scales. Mechanisms for improving the performance and efficiencies of both individual animals and production systems are highlighted. We then go on to map these to potential changes in feeds and feeding systems. Particular attention is given to improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing enteric methane production. There is significant potential for the use of home-grown crops or novel feedstuffs such as insects and macroalgae to act as alternative sources of key amino acids and reduce reliance on unsustainably grown soybeans. We conclude by highlighting the extent to which climate change could impact forage-based livestock production and the need to begin work on developing appropriate adaptation strategies.

Nutritional Potential of Erythrina edulis as a Forage Alternative for Supplementation in Feeding Ruminants

“…According to Jian et al [63] and Buxton et al [64] DM intake is essential for dairy ruminants to maintain and production performance [65]. However, the contents of NDF and ADF in forage are also considered the major factors affecting feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of ruminants, influencing animal performance [49,66,67].…”

Improving abiotic stress tolerance of forage grasses – prospects of using genome editing

“…Grasses can be cultivated in less fertile lands compared to other crops. In these zones, normally associated with developing countries ( Feller et al., 2012 ; Kwadzo and Quayson, 2021 ), animal husbandry and its derivates e.g., dairy production, remain essential ( Capstaff and Miller, 2018 ; Moorby and Fraser, 2021 ). To cope with the predicted population growth and the consequential increase in food needs, high-yielding crops must be further developed ( Raza et al., 2019 ).…”

Nutrient Profile and In Vitro Digestibility of Thirty Indonesian Soybean Genotypes Grown at Two Different Soil pH for Selection as Ruminant Feed

“…R uminants are the main suppliers of animal protein for humans, in the form of dairy and meat products. Livestock production plays a primary role in providing high-nutrient foodstuffs for many people, particularly in developed countries (Moorby and Fraser, 2021). Highquality feed ingredients are necessary to improve livestock productivity.…”

“…In Indonesia, wet conditions and intensive precipitation cause alkaline washing, leading to approximately 70% of the country's land being acidic (Sumiahadi and Acar, 2019). The use of land for growing feedstuffs must however be effectively considered to avoid conflicts with land use for bioenergy production and human food crops (Moorby and Fraser, 2021).…”