Research at the department of animal nutrition and management, HUV, of the Core Organic II about local feed resources and 100% organic feed for pigs and poultry

Magdalena Presto and Ragnar Tauson, researchers at HUV, are responsible for the Swedish part of the EU project 'Improved Contribution of local feed to support 100% organic feed supply to Pigs and Poultry'.

At SLU trials will be performed with broilers, laying hens and growing pigs with a lot of focus on mussel meal. We want to get more information about how much of the mussel meal that is digestible for poultry, but also to evaluate the mussel meal as a protein source for growing pigs, something not done before. We will also go a step further and examine how the shell from the mussels may be better used, for example, in feed and bedding for laying hens. We think it may have a positive impact on keeping the hens occupied, when spread in the litter, to reduce the incidence of feather pecking. As for forage, we will also study how forage including chicory affects feed efficiency, production and behavior of pigs of both indigenous and conventional breeds.

The project as a whole intendeds to:
• Improved knowledge of availability and nutritional value of underutilized or new organic feed ingredients per animal category  with a focus on local feed resources
• Improved understanding of the possible benefits of roughage inclusion in relation to nutritional and behavioural needs as well as its impact on health and welfare
• Understanding how direct foraging in the outdoor area can contribute to meeting the animals nutritional needs
• Assessing the economic and environmental consequences of increased reliance on local organically  produced feed