Replacing soybean with lupine in the ration of dairy cows
LUPINFEED Central Macedonia
The current situation regarding the subject of the project
On the occasion of the nutritional scandal of “mad cow” disease, the European Union proceeded to adopt legislation for the prohibition of the use of protein feed of animal origin in the nutrition of ruminant animals (EC directive 999/2001). Therefore, the need to use plant-based protein feeds has increased significantly. Soybean meal is the most widely used source of vegetable proteins, both in intensive and semi-intensive ruminant farming, with the result that animal production (milk and meat), at national and European level, depends on the use of imported genetically modified soya .
At the same time, this fact causes concern among a significant portion of the consumer public, regarding the hygiene and safety of livestock products, derived from ruminants fed with genetically modified soy.
The innovation
The Operational Plan is a first for Greece, since for the first time an attempt is made to replace imported soybean meal with domestic lupine production in the context of a balanced ration, which will fully cover the needs of the animals based on their production stage. At the same time, an effort will be made, aiming at the health of farmed ruminants, to enhance their productivity (milking cows) and their development (growing calves) with zero or reduced, if possible, use of soybean meal respecting the principles and legislation governing organic livestock.
Finally, for the first time, the lupine seeds used will undergo heat treatment in a special machine, which causes heat denaturation of protease inhibitors, improving the nutritional value of its seeds, which become highly digestible. Heat-treated lupine seeds can now be included in the rations of dairy cows, with the aim of reducing the use of soybean meal as much as possible, without adverse effects on the consumption of dry matter, milk production (adult cows) and the development of the female sires of the specific herd. breeding (calves).
Agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI)
The objective of Measure 16 is to strengthen the culture of cooperation between the involved bodies with the aim of:
- strengthening the competitiveness of businesses in primary production (agricultural holdings) in the food sector, mainly local products but also as well as
- the search for new cultivation practices and production practices that contribute to the protection of the environment but also to adaptation to climate change.
Through the partnerships that will be developed, the opportunity will be given to utilize new technologies and innovative processes for:
- the production of safer and healthier food.
- the reduction of water consumption and in general the cost of inputs for economic and environmental benefit
- ensuring the uniqueness of certified agricultural products