Research projects - ruminant nutrition

Our research on ruminant nutrition primarily focuses on effects of feeding on metabolism, production and the environment but also includes effects of animal management on these factors. We study how grazing, and feeding strategies based on forage and by-products and different feed structures, affect animal welfare in conventional and organic herds. Furthermore we investigate how feeding influences the gastro-intestinal microbiota both in young and adult animals. In our research both the local and the global perspectives are important.

Research area contact person: Kjell Holtenius

Widening the harvest window of ley by increasing stubble height Could impaired nutritional quality from delayed harvest of ley be counteracted by increasing the stubble height drastically and how would the total annual yield and quality then be affected?
Can the red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis reduce methane production in dairy cows? In this project, the effect of red algae on methane production and on the feed digestibility for Swedish dairy cows is tested.
The organic dairy farm as a carbon sink Added value from biochar
Milk production with extensively processed silage for increased forage intake The aim of the project is to investigate how much extensive mechanical processing of silage can increase the forage intake in dairy cows and hereby reduce the requirement for concentrates.
Find the forage-efficient cows and increase profitability Is it possible to identify dairy cows with high forage intake capacity?
INDILACT - Individually adapted lactations lengths The aim of the project is to develop tools which can be used for individually adapted lactation lengths based on the biological conditions of the cow.

SLU and the greenhouse gas inventory