Mårten Hetta
Presentation
My research and teaching cover the entire value chain for forage and roughage, from the crop in the field to the final product. I work with applied agricultural research focusing on the cultivation and utilization of feed for ruminants, as well as the quality of the products that reach consumers. My activities are carried out in close collaboration with industry and society supervises both students and doctoral candidates.
Research
Early Research on Forage Quality and Ruminant Nutrition
My doctoral research (1998–2004) at the Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden (NJV), SLU Umeå, focused on ruminant nutrition and forage quality. The work developed in vitro techniques for determining digestion rates and explored the relationships between forage characteristics and voluntary intake in dairy cattle and sheep. Part of this research was conducted at Wageningen UR, Lelystad (Netherlands, 2000). During this period, I co-initiated the Nordic EU Interreg program “Symbios”, which evolved into the larger EU project “Barents Agro Forum” (2000–2006), extending research collaboration to North-West Russia. These initiatives strengthened Nordic cooperation on forage research and regional development.
The project “Monitoring silage quality in connection with feeding” (2004–2006), conducted jointly with the Division of Precision Agriculture (SLU Skara) and the Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (JTI), integrated animal nutrition research with on-farm data collection and emerging precision technologies. This work also contributed to the development of the PhD course Forage Evaluation in Ruminant Nutrition.
Grazing Management and Decision Support
Between 2003 and 2005, I participated in the EU-funded project “Grazemore”, a major European collaboration among SLU (Sweden), IGER (UK), Wageningen UR (Netherlands), INRA (France), ARINI (UK), and CIAM (Spain). The project generated a comprehensive overview of grazing management across Europe and developed an advanced Decision Support System (DSS) for optimizing utilization of grazed grass. This work provided new methodological and practical tools for sustainable pasture management in temperate regions.
Experimental Design and Statistical Development
In 2007–2008, I led the project “New improved designs and statistical analysis for production experiments with dairy cows”, in collaboration with the Department of Biometry and Engineering (SLU Uppsala). The project advanced the application of experimental designs and statistical methods in animal production research, improving the efficiency and interpretability of large-scale trials. The methodological framework developed has supported numerous subsequent projects within SLU and partner institutions.
Feed Quality, Starch, and Forage Maize Research
From 2008 onwards, my research expanded to the nutritional and functional properties of starch in ruminant feeds. The project “Increased intake in dairy cows by adaptation of starch quality to rumen degradation of grass silage” (2008–2012), conducted with Aarhus University (Denmark), led to a PhD thesis (Tahir, 2012) and provided new insights into the relationship between starch quality and feed intake. Simultaneously, I directed the project “New methods for ranking of silage maize hybrids—yield, feed value and risk management” (2008–2012), resulting in another doctoral thesis (Mussadiq, 2012). This work established a foundation for ongoing research on maize as a forage crop in northern climates, combining agronomy, feed evaluation, and risk analysis.
Protein Evaluation and Nitrogen Utilisation
Between 2008 and 2017, I coordinated several projects under the theme “New technologies to describe protein degradation in dairy cows”, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Nutrition and Management (SLU Uppsala) and the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO). The work contributed to four PhD theses (Karlsson, 2010; Lorentz, 2011; Vaga, 2017; Gidlund, 2017) and significantly advanced understanding of feed protein value and nitrogen efficiency in dairy systems. In parallel, I co-supervised a PhD project (Ramin, 2013) on methane emissions and modelling, linking nutritional physiology with climate-related aspects of ruminant production.
Animal Behaviour and Precision Technologies
A major strand of my research has involved sensor technologies for monitoring behaviour and positioning in cattle. In collaboration with the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Umeå University, we developed advanced systems within EU projects such as Animal Sensors Network and Animals Sense. This research contributed to a PhD thesis (Ren, 2021) and demonstrated the potential of digital monitoring for animal welfare and management. Building on this foundation, I continue to work on virtual fencing and precision grazing (2024–2026) as part of the Grazing Living Lab (2021–2026) in northern Sweden. This initiative involves 14 light-house farms and integrates research, innovation, and outreach to enhance sustainable grazing and climate adaptation.
Wildlife Nutrition and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Over the past decade, I have collaborated extensively with colleagues at the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies (SLU) on nutrition and herbivory in wild and domestic ruminants. These efforts have resulted in joint projects, external funding, and shared teaching activities. Together, we developed the PhD course “Grazing and Herbivory” (2019–2025), which explores ecological interactions between domestic and semi-wild herbivores in northern landscapes.
Spectral and Analytical Technologies
A recent and expanding theme in my research concerns spectral technologies (NIRS, radar satellites, Raman spectroscopy) for analyzing feeds, crops, and food products. I have led the establishment of a field-based spectral laboratory at SLU Röbäcksdalen (Umeå) and built a strong scientific consortium involving SLU departments, Umeå University, and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). These technologies now play a central role in projects linking feed, forage, and food quality under laboratory and field conditions. This work has also inspired the creation of the PhD course “Introduction to Spectral Techniques for Animal, Agricultural, and Veterinary Sciences”, promoting cross-disciplinary competence in analytical technologies.
Food Science and Dairy Quality
Since 2015, my research has increasingly bridged animal production, food quality, and consumer perception. In collaboration with SLU departments in Uppsala, Skara, and Alnarp, Umeå University, Luleå University of Technology, and industry partners such as Norrmejerier and Växa Sverige, I have explored how farm management and feed quality affect dairy and meat product characteristics. These efforts have contributed to several PhD theses (Priyashantha, 2021; Eliasson, 2024) within the national LivsID program, and to ongoing postdoctoral work (Li Sun, Yash Pal) on dairy microbiology and forage-to-food linkages.
Current activities include the long-term project “Influence of Silage Quality on Off-Flavours in Milk” (2016–2026), which connects feed chemistry, animal metabolism, and food sensory science, and has attracted substantial external funding and public interest.
Summary
Across more than two decades of research, my work has spanned ruminant nutrition, forage and feed quality, experimental design, sensor and spectral technologies, and food science. A defining feature has been the integration of animal, plant, and food systems across scales—from cellular processes to farm management and consumer quality.
My research philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, technological innovation, and sustainability in northern agricultural systems. Through strong partnerships across academia and industry, my work continues to contribute to improved animal nutrition, data-driven farming, and high-quality food production.