Significance of legumes as a feed source

Abstract

The European Union faces a challenge to increase the production of domestic protein crops in order to lower its economic dependence on imports of protein crops, soybeans in particular, and the fluctuation of global prices on food. To solve the problem of self-sufficiency of protein in the EU, encompassing all the agro-climatic zones typical of European agriculture and all-level supply chains at the EU level, increasing the output of domestic protein crops, including legumes (faba beans, peas, lupine, soybeans etc.) has been set as a strategic goal. The research examined the kinds of protein crops used for feed and the self-sufficiency of the crops in the EU. The research examined the area under legumes for seeds, the yields and the protein yields of the crops in Latvia. The research aim is to examine the key characteristics of production of feed legumes in Latvia. To achieve the aim, the following specific research tasks are defined: 1) to examine the characteristics of production of protein feed crops in the EU Member States; 2) to analyse legume production performance indictors in Latvia.

Resilience of Meat Supply Chains during and after COVID-19 Crisis

“…Regarding external threats, although most of the companies claimed that already during the last decade meat sector in Latvia has been working in high integration and market concentration conditions, which today has resulted in strong competitiveness of local and international meat sector players, meat sector's long-term risks are more related not with COVID-19 pandemic but with market uncertainty. For example, those farms that specialize in meat production in longterm crises noted problems with fodder, which they would need to be prepared themselves as high quality fodder supply in Latvia could be insufficient, which is critically important for high-value herds [18]. Significant problem mentioned by interviewed experts of the meat sector in Latvia before, during and after crisis is lack of qualified and motivated labour force, which could be explained by low prestige and insufficient information about market sector, its career opportunities etc.…”

Genomic resources for lupins are coming of age

“…This has occurred for a combination of reasons including their unique ability to fix nitrogen thereby reducing the need for fertilizers and enriching the soil for subsequent nonlegume crops as well as providing disease breaks through crop rotations. Grain legumes are also valued for their nutritional benefits for both human and livestock consumption (Duranti & Gius, 1997; Proskina & Pilvere, 2019; Rubio & Molina, 2016; Santa & Rekiel, 2020), where they can provide valuable levels of major nutrients such as protein, dietary fibre and carbohydrates. Recently, interest in grain legumes has grown due to the relatively high levels of protein in their grains and the rapidly growing demand for plant protein in human diets (Lonnie & Johnstone, 2020; Murphy‐Bokern et al, 2017; Sa et al, 2020).…”