Nourishing Europe's Future through Regenerative Livestock Feed

NUTRIFEEDS is dedicated to developing regenerative animal feed solutions by transforming underutilised local plants and agri-food by-products into high-protein feed through cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary methods. Aligning with the EU's Farm2Fork strategy, the project aims to reduce the reliance on imported feeds, enhance agricultural circularity, and minimize waste. The initiative involves detailed analysis of raw materials, including net energy, followed by their enhancement through Black Soldier Fly larvae and targeted fermentation to improve nutrient content and reduce anti-nutritional factors. Experimental validation will contribute to enhanced diet formulation. The project explores the impacts on welfare, health, immune responses, microbiome, and behaviour of both monogastric animals and ruminants. Through collaborations with farms, experimental feeds from insect upcycling and fermentation will be refined. NUTRIFEEDS also seeks to build on existing silvopasture systems and engages farmers in co-creating local policies. It also integrates AI for insightful data analysis and development of software aiding farmers with efficient monitoring and feeding systems, allowing hence for the creation of feed formulations that enhance both animal health and welfare while sustaining productivity. Thus, the project emphasizes animal welfare, aims to reduce the environmental impact of feed production, and involves stakeholders in the development and dissemination of its solutions. Methods of preserving energy, such as drying powered by solar energy, will help to create extra revenue streams from the sale of feed. A proposed European Centre for Regenerative Animal Nutrition will facilitate dissemination and promote uptake of these innovations and will implement online courses based on NUTRIFEEDS findings. NUTRIFEEDS will factor in environmental, social and economic sustainability and will create guidelines to reinforce Europe's position as a leader in global innovation.