OK-Net EcoFeed Knowledge synthesis of feed production

The transition to 100% organic feed ingredients for organic livestock is expected to take effect from January
1st 2020 in Europe. In order to contribute to the goal of 100% use of organic and regional feed for
monogastrics, this knowledge synthesis “Feeding monogastrics 100% organic and regionally produced feed“
aims to describe:
• the protein need for organic monogastric animals (pigs, layers and broilers), including different
breeds and rearing conditions
• different protein feed resources, mostly new or not commonly used protein sources, their nutrient
content, production prerequisites, and their potential feeding value
• small-scale, on-farm equipment for feed processing
• different feeding strategies.
The knowledge synthesis should enable participants in Innovation groups (IG) and Thematic groups (TG) to
choose feed materials, feeding strategies, breeds and perhaps even small-scale on-farm equipment for
testing when aiming at 100% organic and regionally produced feed for monogastrics.
In the knowledge synthesis it is concluded: When feeding pigs and poultry 100% organic and regionally
produced feed, getting enough protein and specific amino acids is a challenge. There are two ways to go and
they can be combined. One is to utilize by-products, for example waste from various productions, and explore
new protein sources e.g. marine products or to refine already known products such as grass. The other way
is to feed the animals less intensively and for this feeding strategy slow-growing breeds fit better. Some slowgrowing
breeds are already known, some are rediscovered old breeds. The challenge with the slow-growing
and less-yielding breeds is that the production is getting smaller and either the farmer will earn less or the
prices of eggs and meat will increase.
However, the possibilities for combinations of regionally grown feed, low-yielding breeds with different
feeding strategies are many and they need to be explored.
Finally, the knowledge synthesis identify needs for new knowledge on:
• nutritional requirements of alternative breeds. Precise nutrient recommendations for organically
produced pigs and poultry do not exist.
• nutritional value of new protein sources for monogastric animals
• various combinations of breeds, grazing and supplemental feed.
Small-scale on-farm equipment to refine locally produced raw materials needs to be developed.