19 October 2011

2 minute read

Europe

The IDF, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) have developed, in partnership and with support from the animal feed industry, a world map of animal feeding systems in the dairy sector.

The first results were presented at the Sustainable Feed Security Conference.

Actions to positively respond to sustainability challenges have become more broadly embedded within the dairy sector’s strategy. Animal feeding is of critical importance as it is the first step in milk production, and therefore its impact can be observed at every level of the dairy chain.

The links between animal feeding, environment, food safety, animal health and human nutrition are crucial. Current research is focused on how altering animal diets could help reduce the sector’s carbon footprint and also address other related aspects of critical importance, such as optimising milk nutrient composition, retaining and increasing productivity and maintaining and improving animal health and welfare.

“Continued investment in research, development and knowledge transfer is required to move the industry forward and improve the uptake of best practice measures. Sharing best practice will promote decision-making based on sound science.” said Richard Doyle, IDF President.

The IDF/FAO/IFCN project sets the starting point for the future evolution of animal feeding systems in the dairy sector.

“The data will allow us to take animal feeding systems into account to further improve milk production worldwide. Thanks to the work undertaken by IDF and its partners we will be able to identify and implement solutions tailored to the different needs and requirements of diverse milk production scenarios all over the world.” commented Benoît Rouillé, project leader.

The project was made possible thanks to the outstanding resource support provided by the French Dairy Board (CNIEL), the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC), Evonik Industries, Cargill Animal Nutrition and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

To support and promote the project, a new IDF website on www.dairyfeedingsystems.org will be launched at the Conference on Animal Feeding.

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