Schothorst Invests In Dairy Nutrition Research

THE NETHERLANDS - Schothorst Feed Research has opened new facilities for animal nutrition research in dairy cows and laying hens.
calendar icon 19 January 2010
clock icon 2 minute read

The global increase in the demand for animal nutrition research and consultancy is the main driver for Schothorst Feed Research (SFR) in the Netherlands to extend and improve its research facilities in the Netherlands.

During 2010, two new research farms – one for dairy cows and one for laying hens – will start production. Both facilities will comply with the latest requirements for sustainable farming. Hence this will be representative state-of-the-art facilities where statistically relevant nutrition research can be performed under practical farm conditions. In addition, the plans for extension and improvement of the swine facilities are in an advanced stage and these swine facilities will become ready before 2012.

In total, about €9 million will be invested. As a result, there will be an institute with up to date facilities to study and answer national and international questions concerning animal nutrition.

The management of SFR expects that due to the increased global demand for animal products and the shortage on the raw materials markets, that the international demand for the specific SFR know-how and expertise will increase over the coming years. Currently, SFR has contracts with the compounding feed industries and its suppliers in over 14 countries, especially for the delivery of know-how on the nutritional value of animal feed raw materials.

The new sustainable laying hen facilities will begin production in the second half of 2010. This commercial state-of-the-art production facility is based on the aviary (volieres-type) system to comply with the new European regulations of 2012. This facility will be unique in the world as representative commercial house equipped for research with two separate buildings, each with 40 different animal groups of 330 hens, to enable accurate statistical nutrition studies.

The new dairy cow facilities with 220 lactating cows will allow a doubling of the research capacity. In the plans for this dairy facility, a further extension to 340 cows is anticipated for the future.

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