How much possible to minimize the environmental impact for the feed industry?

Derya Yıldız

Dear readers,

Although the global population growth rate will continue to decrease in the coming years, the world population is predicted to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2050, according to the figures of the United Nations (UN) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA). This simply means that the world will need more food in the upcoming decades. As a matter of fact, feeding the animals raised to meet nutritional needs in a responsible and sustainable way on this planet with limited natural resources is now among the most important issues.

As it is known; cattle, poultry and aquaculture have been fed mainly by grain, soybean and fishmeal for more than 50 years. Thus, the agricultural industry continues to take the pressure off our planet’s limited natural resources while developing innovations for sustainable feed solutions that optimize productivity and animal health.

However, according to the data of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), feed production and processing account for 45 percent of the overall carbon footprint of livestock industry. According to the data of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), 75% of the soybean produced in the world is used in animal nutrition. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), on the other hand, is concerned about the damage to the ecosystem due to the rainforests used for the cultivation of soybean, which is consumed for both human and animal nutrition. Furthermore, experts predict that if climate change negatively affects this production, we may face a crisis in meeting protein needs.

Based on this information, we see that the importance of alternative protein sources, which will minimize the environmental impacts of the feed industry and the use of arable land and which have high nutritional value for animals, is on the rise. And these resources need to feed livestock more sustainably and efficiently, and with less costs. So, is it possible to achieve this by protecting our planet for future generations?

In this issue, we are focusing on alternative protein sources that will minimize the environmental impact without placing an additional burden on the existing nutritional ecosystem.

See you in our next issue…

Enjoy reading…