China's Ministry of Agriculture has published a three-year action plan to reduce the use of soybean meal in animal feed. The main aim is to reduce dependence on imports of this protein crop.
The interest of farmers in Germany in converting to an organic farming system has now noticeably declined again after the high in 2021.
Around 2.8 million t of pulses (excluding soybeans) and fodder legumes came from domestic production in 2021/22 and migrated into feed. Nevertheless, the protein gap has not been closed. There is still a need for imported feedstuffs with higher protein content in Germany.
According to scientists, preventive culling of livestock is necessary in some regions of the Netherlands, even on farms that are not directly affected, in order to combat animal diseases. The study is based on historical data on the transmission of avian influenza and swine fever in the Netherlands.
At the beginning of 2023, the German subsidiary Likra West took over the brand and distribution rights of the Bavarian mineral and specialty feed producer Zimmerer-Werk. This acquisition is intended to strengthen the position of the LIKRA Group in the Bavarian mineral feed market and throughout Germany.
In France, the strategy for the use of vaccination against avian influenza continues to take shape. For the prevention campaign, the three-scenario Office for Health Protection in Food, Environment and Labor (ANSES) puts at disposal. Emergency vaccinations are not foreseen.
The German Federal Ministry of Agriculture is supporting the "Napf" research project to secure sustainable nutrition for farm animals under changing climatic conditions. The approximately 1.4 million euros will be used primarily to research alternatives to imported soy.
The long-term trend toward lower meat consumption continued in Germany in 2022. Per capita meat consumption fell compared to 2021 and was thus lower than at any time since consumption calculations began.
Ukrainian farmers have now sown most of the summer cereals and legumes. According to the Kiev Ministry of Agriculture, a total of 207,000 ha were tilled in the last week of March.
The structural change in European agriculture has not yet come to an end. This is shown by figures published by the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat). In livestock farming, around 1.6 million farms have given up.
As part of the EIP innovation project "Smart Service Future", 127 pig farmers across Germany were surveyed about farming methods and digitization strategies.
Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Südekum (University of Bonn, main prize), PD Dr. Karin Giller (ETH Zurich), Prof. Dr. Nadine Paßlack (Justus Liebig University Giessen) and PD Dr. Wolfgang Siegert (University of Hohenheim) were honored for their scientific achievements in the field of animal nutrition as recipients of the sponsorship awards.
The Bavarian state government wants to improve animal welfare in stables. A digital monitoring system is to provide approaches for improvement at an early stage.
Export opportunities for animal welfare meat are currently considered low due to high costs. Criteria such as country of origin, quality and price are decisive.
The key points paper presented by Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir on minimum requirements for keeping turkeys for fattening continues to provoke sharp criticism.
At the Berlin Milk Forum, experts discussed what solutions and strategies are available for the dairy industry despite the difficult situation.
The retail sector's promises to drive attitude change are great. Professor Carolyn Hutter knows what conditions are needed to establish a resilient system.
The 3-pillar model of sustainability is currently based on the areas of economy, ecology and social issues. Dr. Birthe Lassen from the Thünen Institute discusses whether a fourth pillar is needed for animal welfare.
The Interessengemeinschaft der Schweinehalter Deutschlands (ISN) welcomes in principle the introduction of a mandatory husbandry label. However, in their view, the present draft law contains serious shortcomings.
Starting in July 2023, the Initiative Tierwohl (ITW) will launch a new pet food labeling program. Pet food, chew toys, and snacks made with meat can then be labeled with the ITW seal.