Project: Improved contribution of local feed to support 100% organic feed supply to pigs and poultry.
Introduction The aim is to produce economically profitable feeding strategies with the ingredients produced organically and sourced within Europe rather than relying on protein imports and feed supplements of non-organic origin. The local 100% organic feeds must provide the required level of nutrients for different phases of production thus supporting high animal health and welfare, while being economically and environmentally sustainable. The project involves 15 partners across 10 countries in central and northern Europe. Background This project is looking into the problems faced by farmers in meeting the future requirement to feed organic pigs and poultry on 100% organic feed. Up until now organic pig and poultry (monogastric) production systems have been allowed to use feed ingredients of non-organic origin. There is concern that a move to a 100% organic diet may not supply sufficient sources of certain essential amino acids, and there is very little experience and limited information on the implications of a shift in feeding strategy to 100% organic. Benefits of the project Through cooperation between 15 partners across Europe, an extended knowledge of the characteristics of different local feeds will be brought together. Their wider impact on growth, health and welfare and the environment will be used to produce feeding strategies which comply with the organic principals for high animal welfare and environmental concerns whilst maintaining production economy. The results of desk studies and experimental work will be drawn together to give a comprehensive overall look at what Europe can grow to feed our monogastric animals in a way which is sustainable; both for the environment and the economy. The results of this project will be of benefit to organic farmers, their advisors, the organic supply chain (feeds on the one hand and pork and poultry producers on the other), organic certification bodies and policy makers. Expected results The main result of the activities for the sector is that appropriate feeding strategies are developed that better comply with the principles of organic farming, comply with the requirement of 100% organic feed for monogastrics, and at the same time is profitable and ensures an improvement in environmental impact and animal welfare compared with the current prevailing systems. Specifically, the project will provide: Improved knowledge of availability and nutritional value of underutilized or new organic feed ingredients per animal category with a focus on local feed resources. Improved understanding of the possible benefits of roughage inclusion in relation to nutritional and behavioral needs as well as its impact on health and welfare. Understanding how direct foraging in the outdoor area can contribute to meeting the animal's nutritional needs. Assessing the economic and environmental consequences of increased reliance on local organically produced feed. The research and development will result in appropriate feeding strategies established for organic farming with 100% organic feed, which is profitable, has low environmental impact and high animal welfare.
| Acronym | ICOPP |
| Duration | 01/10/2011 - 30/09/2014 |
| Website | visit project website |
| Network | CORE Organic II |
| Call | First call of CORE Organic II |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aarhus University | Coordinator | Denmark |
| 2 | Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics | Partner | Lithuania |
| 3 | Wageningen University & Research - Wageningen Livestock Research | Partner | Netherlands |
| 4 | Organic Research Centre | Partner | United Kingdom |
| 5 | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Partner | Sweden |
| 6 | University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna | Partner | Austria |
| 7 | Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries - Thünen Institute of Organic Farming | Partner | Germany |
| 8 | MTT Agrifood Research Finland | Partner | Finland |
| 9 | Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences | Partner | Germany |
| 10 | Louis Bolk Institute | Partner | Netherlands |
| 11 | Food Animal Initiative Farms | Partner | United Kingdom |
| 12 | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture | Partner | Switzerland |
| 13 | Technical Institute for Organic Farming | Partner | France |