A new 4 year pan-European €4 million EU-funded project exploring how to reduce the carbon footprint on how livestock are fed feed farm animals has been launched.
Led by the University of Reading, the “Future feeds for sustainability in European livestock production” (FEATURE) programme will test alternative feeds for Europe’s livestock, supporting the production of high-quality food in ways that are better for the environment and for animals, and more resilient to future challenges.
This can deliver solutions that are practical and ready for use, reducing Europe’s dependence on imported protein and cutting the environmental footprint of livestock farming.
Current feed challenges in Europe
Currently, European livestock farming relies on a narrow range of feeds including ryegrass, cereals and imported protein-rich feeds. Yet these sources face mounting environmental and economic challenges from climate change, pollution and unstable prices.
Exploring alternative feed solutions
FEATURE will investigate alternatives including mixed grasslands with herbs and legumes, co-products from the agri-food sector, and new protein sources. Researchers will examine how these feeds affect animal health, digestion and productivity, and how they influence the taste and nutritional quality of meat, dairy and eggs.
Whole system research approach
Professor Sokratis Stergiadis, who leads the research at the University of Reading, said the programme was taking a whole system approach: “We are looking at everything from how animals respond to different feeds to what this means for farmers, the environment, food quality and consumers.
We are looking at everything from how animals respond to different feeds to what this means for farmers, the environment, food quality and consumers.” – Professor Sokratis Stergiadis
Comprehensive research collaboration
“The project combines laboratory research, on-farm studies, life-cycle assessments and close collaboration with the farming and feed sectors. This can deliver solutions that are practical and ready for use, reducing Europe’s dependence on imported protein and cutting the environmental footprint of livestock farming.”
As part of FEATURE, 13 doctoral researchers from different partner institutions will work across the network to tackle questions spanning animal nutrition, food quality, environmental impact and economic viability.
Their training will cover laboratory work, on-farm studies, sustainability assessment, communication and project management, and develop skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, open science and research integrity.
The aim is to equip the next generation of agri-food scientists to work across disciplines and sectors, delivering practical solutions for the whole agri-food chain.
European collaboration and support
The project begins this month and will run for 4 years. The project brings together leading agricultural and food research institutions from across Europe, including KU Leuven, Teagasc, the Spanish National Research Council, the University of Pisa, the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
They are joined by 11 associated partners from academia, research and industry.
Professor David Kenny, Head of the Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department and supervisor of 2 funded PhD fellowships under FEATURE said that the project perfectly aligns with Teagasc research objectives in the application of state-of-the-art science to improving the sustainability and resilience of forage-based livestock production systems.
The project will facilitate the training of 13 postgraduate students to PhD level across an array of key disciplines fundamental to the future sustainability of livestock production systems and will also forge closer research linkages between some of the main agricultural and food research institutions in Europe.
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions scheme, which supports early career researchers through international mobility and cross-sector experience.
