World Dairy Summit: Animal Feeding Systems
ITALY - A world map of animal feeding systems was presented at the International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit in Parma, Italy, 18 October 2011.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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