Ruminant Nutrition

In the joint research project “FuLaWi”, we are investigating how foliage can be used as alternative feed source for sheep and goats. As part of our work package, we are examining how tree foliage can be preserved through ensiling and how a higher proportion of shoots, which can be expected after mechanical foliage harvest, affects overall feed quality. The focus of our investigation will be on foliage from willow and poplar species.

  • Running time: 01.06.2023 - 31.05.2026

  • Funding: BLE

Herbs like Plantago have been receiving increasing interest as an integral part of pastures recently. This is linked to characteristics like high drought resistance and their potential to increase biodiversity. When being used as forage for ruminants, they have further interesting features like the potential to decrease enteral methane emissions The project intends to investigate characteristics of herbs as ruminant forage.

  • Running tme: 01.04.2023 bis 31.03.2026

  • Funding: BMEL

The MiZie project investigates pasture-based feeding of organically raised dairy goats and the behavior of goat kids. It focuses on goat’s energy requirements and feed intake on pasture. Further studies on commercial farms evaluate the design of feeding troughs, pasture-based ration formulation, and the metabolic health status of dairy goats. Additionally, the project examines how mother-reared lambs acquire social competence and their feeding behavior.

  • Running time:1.09.2023 bis 31.08.2026

  • Funding: BMEL

Internationally, duckweed is already being used as feed and food. Their high growth rate makes them interesting for N and P fixation from water bodies and at the same time as animal feed. In the joint project with practical partners, the University of Göttingen is investigating the suitability of duckweed as a feed component in fish feed, the ensiling properties of duckweed and its acceptance by geese (Research associates E. Gregersen, B. Krone).

  • Running time: 1.05.2022 - 31.05.2025

  • Funding: EIP (Europäische Innovationsprojekte)

The project funded by DAAD (research associate J. Ismita) investigates in cooperation with Prof. Dr. M. M. Uddin (Bangladesh Agricultural University) different practices of dairying in Bangladesh, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas (methane) emissions. The researcher Jamia Ismita intends to rank diets and to investigate and develop best practice feeding scenarios for situations of different herd size levels (smallholder to large herd).

  • Start: 1.09.2023

  • Funding: DAAD

In the project, goats and sheep are compared in their capacity of feed comminution (reducing feed particles by chewing) (research associate: Birthe Kone). The study is based on a publication by Dulphy et al. (1995); important aspects are, for example, the proportion of chewing (= feed comminution) during eating and ruminating. This is also meant to provide information on the requirements of goats and sheep with regard to feed structure. Dulphy, J. P., C. C. Balch, and M. Doreau. 1995. adaptation des espèces domestiques à la digestion des aliments lignocellulosiques. Pages 759-803 in Nutrition des Ruminants Domestiques. R. Jarrige, Y. Ruckebusch, C. Demarquilly, M. H. Farce, and M. Journet, ed. INRA Editions, Paris.

The project compares small ruminants with regard to their methane output (reserach associate Joana Brandes-Samak). The hypothesis is that differences between animals like rumen volume and salivary flow may result in differences in enteric methane production. Methane emissions will be quantified using a GreenFeed system (C-Lock Inc.) of the Department of Animal Sciences.

Completed research project