Environment
Breeding can contribute to decreasing environmental impact. This is mainly done through focussing on feed conversion. Feed conversion is mainly responsible for feed efficiency. Feed efficiency has impact on environment; an improved feed efficiency can minimise the output of nitrogen and phosphate. To further improve this, better knowledge is needed of the digestive system and of nutrient metabolism. Particular interest goes out to genes whose expression is regulated by nutrition. However, when exploiting this, it is important to consider animal product quality, as well as beneficial and unfavourable environmental outputs.
Selection of animals that adapt and act in a positive manner with their environment through, e.g. grazing and pasturing, can contribute to ecosystem maintenance. The selection of genotypes in these kinds of activities is especially important in geographical areas, especially mountains and Mediterranean areas.
Selection of animals that adapt and act in a positive manner with their environment through, e.g. grazing and pasturing, can contribute to ecosystem maintenance. The selection of genotypes in these kinds of activities is especially important in geographical areas, especially mountains and Mediterranean areas.
Environmental efficiency
Improved biological efficiency and specifically reduces production of waste per unit output is an important goal for breeders and there are emerging research results that are providing new opportunities to select for environmental efficiency.
Breeding organisations attempt to increase feed efficiency, which reduces the emission of minerals (N, P) into the environment. Global ecological and geo-policital factors will impact, particularly in the longer term. For example, the rising costs of energy and transport could stimulate production close to the point of consumption. An increasing need for security of supply in an uncertain world could have a similar effect. Global warming will have an ever-increasing impact, for example on the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and on systems of animal husbandry, crops that can be grown as animal feed, or on potential diseases and parasites. Competition between land use for subsidised energy production (e.g. bio ethanol) and feed will increase feed prices.
EU and national regulation for the protection of the environment may have a significant impact on the viability of livestock production and production level in some regions of the EU.
Improved biological efficiency and specifically reduces production of waste per unit output is an important goal for breeders and there are emerging research results that are providing new opportunities to select for environmental efficiency.
Breeding organisations attempt to increase feed efficiency, which reduces the emission of minerals (N, P) into the environment. Global ecological and geo-policital factors will impact, particularly in the longer term. For example, the rising costs of energy and transport could stimulate production close to the point of consumption. An increasing need for security of supply in an uncertain world could have a similar effect. Global warming will have an ever-increasing impact, for example on the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and on systems of animal husbandry, crops that can be grown as animal feed, or on potential diseases and parasites. Competition between land use for subsidised energy production (e.g. bio ethanol) and feed will increase feed prices.
EU and national regulation for the protection of the environment may have a significant impact on the viability of livestock production and production level in some regions of the EU.