{"id":143516,"date":"2021-09-20T12:16:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T10:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ew-nutrition.com\/how-animal-nutrition-can-contribute-to-sustainability\/"},"modified":"2023-06-09T09:51:11","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T07:51:11","slug":"how-animal-nutrition-can-contribute-to-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ew-nutrition.com\/en-uk\/how-animal-nutrition-can-contribute-to-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"How animal nutrition can contribute to sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Dr. <\/strong>Inge Heinzl<\/b>, Editor, EW Nutrition<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nowadays, the whole world is talking about sustainability. Many efforts aim to maintain our world for future generations, creating a balance between our current needs and those of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The right animal nutrition choices play a crucial role in achieving the challenging aim of sustainable animal production.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"SWINE
Animal nutrition solutions can support producers\u2019 sustainability contributions, from animal welfare to antibiotic reduction<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sustainability \u2013 an old concept now set out in writing<\/h2>\n

The idea of sustainability is not new. Already the first humans lived sustainably, taking only as much as they needed and the environment could cope with, using all parts of the animals they killed. The German Hannss Carl von Carlowitz (1645-1714) coined the term sustainability in his oeuvre \u201cSylvicultura oeconomica<\/a>\u201d to counter a threatening raw material crisis. Wood was one of the most important raw materials. Besides heating, it was used for shipbuilding and mining. This was the reason that extensive areas in Europe were deforested and became deserted. Observing the impending disaster, von Carlowitz ” (1713) stated that only as many trees should be felled as can grow back through planned reforestation, sowing, and planting.<\/p>\n

The Brundtland Report<\/a> (1987), a document created by the World Commission on Environment and Development, is reckoned to be the starting signal for worldwide discussions about sustainability. In 2015, the result of a meeting of 193 members of the United Nations was the Agenda 2030<\/a> with 17 sustainable development goals for a \u201cworld we want\u201d that should be achieved by 2030.<\/p>\n

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the Agenda 2030<\/a>, fixed by the UN in 2015<\/em><\/span><\/strong>\"\"<\/p>\n

How can the feed sector contribute to sustainability?<\/h1>\n

The animal nutrition industry’s sustainability efforts play into different SDGs, notably no. 2, zero hunger, no. 3, good health and well-being, no. 12, responsible consumption and production, no. 13, climate action, no. 14, life below water, and no. 15, life on land. In addition to the overarching goal of fostering higher animal welfare (cf. Keeling et al., 2019<\/a>), the feed sector\u2019s measures center on three areas:<\/p>\n

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  1. Optimal use of feed resources<\/strong>, which includes optimizing feed conversion, preserving feed quality, and using alternative ingredients<\/li>\n
  2. Preserving the environment<\/strong> by reducing ammonia and methane emissions and energy requirements<\/li>\n
  3. Reducing antibiotics<\/strong> usage to maintain their efficacy for future generations<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    1.\u00a0\u00a0 Make best use of available resources<\/h2>\n

    One of the 17 points on the list of the United Nations is “responsible consumption and production”.\u00a0 For the feed industry, this means making the most out of available feed sources. Improvements in feed conversion, the maintenance of feed quality, and the use of alternative ingredients are all part of this.<\/p>\n

    Optimize FCR to utilize the available feed best<\/h3>\n

    The feed conversion rate shows the amount of feed consumed in relation to the outputs produced, such as weight gain, eggs, or milk. The better or lower the feed conversion rate (FCR), the less feed you need to achieve your target, and the higher the yield. Products that improve feed conversion, therefore, can help to save resources.<\/p>\n

    Good feed conversion or an optimal utilization of nutrients depends on gut health. Only a healthy gut can digest the feed and absorb the nutrients adequately. Hence, products to improve feed conversion often do so by improving gut health.<\/p>\n

    Phytomolecules: proven to improve feed conversion<\/h4>\n

    Herbs and their active components have been used in human and veterinary medicine for thousands of years to treat digestive tract diseases. Nowadays, products based on phy\u00adtomolecules help improve feed conversion through their digestive, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects on the intestinal tract<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    How do these three characteristics contribute to a better FCR?<\/p>\n