13479: Quality of organically grown protein crops in Norway for livestock concentrates – limited N and S supplementation

Henriksen, Britt I. F. and Prestløkken, Egil (2008) Quality of organically grown protein crops in Norway for livestock concentrates – limited N and S supplementation. Working Paper, Organic Food and Farming Division, Bioforsk - Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research.

Summary

The aim of organic farming husbandry, is to be entirely based on an organically
produced diet. Shortage of organically produced protein crops for production of
concentrates supplying the European market, and a contemporary ban on the use of
fishmeal for ruminants in the EU has lead to an increased need for organically
produced feedstuffs for production of concentrates in Norwegian organic husbandry.
Pea is the most common cultivated protein-rich crop in organic agriculture in Norway.
For ruminants, peas has a low bypass protein content compared to common protein
supplements such as rape meal and soybean meal. Other high-protein crops with
complementary properties are therefore needed to meet the demand in feed quality for
ruminants, pigs and poultry. Oilseed crops, which are rich in both fat and protein, will
become of considerable interest if problems related to their cultivation are solved.
Currently, our experience with oilseed crops in organic agriculture is limited. In a four
year research project "Organic protein feed and edible oil from oilseed crops" this
experience will be extended and the feed quality of organically grown protein crops
like rape, turnip rape and camelina will be evaluated. The project will provide
knowledge about the rumen degradability of protein, starch and NDF (neutral
detergent fibre) and intestine digestibility of protein and starch in organically grown
protein-rich crops necessary for the production of concentrates with an optimal feed
quality.

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