Researchers from Purdue’s colleges of agriculture and engineering have published a roadmap leading to sustainable livestock production, which plays a critical role in global food security. (Photo courtesy of Purdue University)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — What’s good for the planet can also benefit animal welfare, livestock production and the food supply of a growing world’s population, according to a comprehensive research literature review conducted by Purdue University scientists and engineers.
Doing so will require a comprehensive and integrated approach to the many environmental impacts of ruminant production, said Purdue’s Hinayah Rojas de Oliveira, assistant professor of animal sciences. “There is no silver bullet solution. A combination of strategies will be required. We need to leverage all the tools at our disposal, from genetics and nutrition to management and technological, to create a more sustainable and resilient livestock industry.”
Rojas led an interdisciplinary team that published its literature review regarding environmental sustainability in ruminants — an animal group that includes cattle, sheep and goats — in the journal Agriculture. The journal featured the researchers’ work on the cover of a special issue devoted to the threats posed by environmental factors to farm animals.
The paper synthesizes the latest research in more than 200 publications in genetics, nutrition, the microbiome and management to provide a holistic road map for the future of ruminant sustainability.
“This review can serve as a valuable resource for a wide range of stakeholders,” Rojas said. “For producers, it outlines actionable strategies to improve efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint. For policymakers, it provides a scientific basis for developing evidence-based policies to support sustainable agriculture. For the industry, it showcases emerging technologies and innovations that can drive both environmental and economic benefits.”
This work was supported by Purdue’s Elevating the Visibility of Research Initiative, a joint effort of the Office of Agricultural Research and Graduate Education and the Executive Vice President for Research.
Source: Purdue University
Comments