Nordic Forage Network

For minutes and information from meetings and workshops see this page

Background

Forage crops are of great importance in our Nordic countries and form the basis for production of milk and meat. In Sweden about 35 % of the arable land is used for hay or silage from ley or other crops as eg. maize, peas and cereals used as whole crops. The corresponding numbers for the other countries are; Norway 55 %, Denmark 18 %, Finland 30 % and Iceland 80 %.

Ruminants are adapted to use forage and there are also many positive side effects (eg. environmental) when we maximise the amount of locally produced forages in the ration. Minimising the use of soy protein in animal production is probably one of the most important ways to reduce transportation and promote local production.The use of high quality forage is a way to reduce this input.

Creating a Forage Network

Generally we have a lot of knowledge within production, conservation and use of forage, which is based on many years of research in the Nordic countries. To further improve use of forages in ruminant rations there is a need for more knowledge concerning how to influence and regulate nutrient content and composition in the forages and how nutrients are utilised by the ruminant. For such studies inputs are necessary from researchers in different fields using different methods, which not all might be available in every country. To be successful in this, cooperation and knowledge exchange between the Nordic countries are necessary.

This NKJ financed project has an objective to create a Nordic network in Forage Research. The goal is to learn more about the ongoing research, to identify common research tasks, to develop projects that could be applied for funding and finally to set up a more permanent network for forage research in the Nordic countries.