SUSTAINABILITY 66 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2025 In the EU, stringent climate targets mandate a 55% reduction in net GHG emissions by 2030 (from 1990 levels) and climate neutrality by 2050. Additionally, new regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) restrict the use of certain feed ingredients, notably soy products, further driving the need for alternative, sustainable feeding practices. PRECISION NUTRITION AS A LEVER FOR SUSTAINABILITY Precision nutrition focuses on delivering essential nutrients in the right amounts to meet the animal’s actual requirements, minimizing unnecessary losses. Within this framework, amino acid (AA) balancing plays a pivotal role. Traditional protein-rich diets often oversupply crude protein, leading to inefficient nitrogen utilization and increased nitrogen excretion in manure—one of the key sources of environmental pollution in dairy farming. By balancing essential amino acids in rations, dairy farms can: • Enhance feed efficiency, converting more feed into milk, • Reduce nitrogen excretion, leading to lower ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions and less nitrate pollution, • Lower the carbon footprint, by using less environmentally intensive protein sources and improving milk production and health. REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH AA BALANCING One of the key contributions of AA-balanced diets is the potential for substantial reductions in feed-related CO₂ emissions — ranging from 8% to 28% in trials across various ruminant species. This is achieved through two primary mechanisms: 1. Reduced use of high-footprint ingredients: Soybean meal, a common protein source, is linked to deforestation and high embedded carbon costs allowing the nutritionists to use other local sources. 2. Improved feed conversion: Enhanced efficiency means more milk or meat is produced with the same or even reduced amount of feed. In one study with lactating Holstein cows, AA supplementation led to a 9.3% reduction in feed-related CO₂ equivalents. In fattening lambs, a 28% reduction was reported alongside a 12.7% drop in protein fed. NITROGEN EFFICIENCY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT Nitrogen losses through manure are a critical environmental issue, contributing to N₂O and ammonia emissions and groundwater contamination. Traditional protein-heavy diets result in significant nitrogen excretion, often because the protein exceeds the animal’s actual AA requirements. AA balancing allows for reduced dietary crude protein without compromising milk yield, leading to a more efficient use of dietary nitrogen, increasing the proportion converted into milk or meat protein rather than lost in the manure. ANIMAL HEALTH, WELFARE, AND PRODUCTIVITY Beyond sustainability, precision nutrition also promotes animal well-being and farm profitability. Optimized AA profiles support: • Higher milk yield and composition: Several trials reported a clear increase in milk production and components, resulting in profitable gains in overall milk protein and fat yield. • Improved casein content: Higher casein/protein ratios have been observed, enhancing milk quality
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