Sustainability plays a significant role in maintaining environmental and economic balances while also offering a critical approach to combating climate change. In this context, Trouw Nutrition Türkiye organized the Ruminant Academy, where the topics of ‘Sustainability’ and ‘The Impact of Climate Change on Livestock Farming’ were thoroughly addressed. The event, which saw strong participation from industry representatives, emphasized the need for new approaches and multidisciplinary research in sustainable agriculture and livestock farming to address the effects of rising population and climate change.

Sustainability, which contributes to the transfer of natural resources to future generations, is vital for maintaining both environmental and economic balances. This approach, aimed at reducing the negative impacts of human activities on nature, also plays a critical role in combating climate change. In this context, Trouw Nutrition Türkiye, which focuses on raising healthy livestock under the mission of “Feeding the Future,” organized multiple sessions under the themes of “Sustainability” and “The Effects of Climate Change on Livestock” at its Ruminant Academy, held five years after the last event. The gathering took place on October 25-26 at the Sirene Belek Hotel in Antalya and attracted significant interest from industry representatives.

ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS POSE RISKS FOR AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

Gonca Altıntaş

The program was moderated by Prof. Dr. İbrahim Ak, Head of the Department of Animal Science at Bursa Uludağ University. Trouw Nutrition Türkiye Country Manager Gonca Altıntaş delivered the opening speech, expressing excitement about evaluating the future of the industry together with stakeholders at the Ruminant Academy. She stated, “This year, we built our academy around the sustainability theme, which is prominent on the global agenda, and we discussed the impacts of climate change on livestock within this framework. Sustainability is a multifaceted concept that is critical for our sector from economic, ecological, and social perspectives. Research on the trajectory of our world indicates that we will face serious global challenges in the coming years, such as wars, migrations, increasing populations, and inadequacies in food resources. Environmental threats, like climate change and drought, not only increase costs but also bring problems such as the reduction of agricultural lands and depletion of water resources.”

GLOBAL FOOD PRODUCTION MUST INCREASE BY 50% BY 2050

Gonca Altıntaş emphasized that the global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, stating, “When the world population reaches these levels, agricultural production used for biofuels and to meet nutritional needs is predicted to need a 70% increase. Additionally, per capita agricultural land is expected to decrease from 2.0 decares to 1.6 decares. Under these conditions, it is anticipated that food production must increase by 50% by 2050 to access healthy food. Considering that the water demand from the increasing population is expected to rise by 30%, serious research and planning in this area have become unavoidable. Another evaluation regarding the impact of climate change on livestock operations indicates that costs will increase significantly, particularly affecting feed raw material production, which will, in turn, reflect on the final product. For instance, while beef prices are expected to increase by 33% by 2050 without climate change, this increase is projected to rise to 60% with climate change.”

MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IS NEEDED FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

Altıntaş also addressed the effects of climate change on Türkiye, stating, “Currently, the per capita available water in Türkiye is about 1,300 cubic meters per year. If climatic conditions do not change, our country will face a serious water shortage. The population of Türkiye, which was 81.9 million in 2018, is expected to reach 95.7 million by 2050. This level of population growth implies that the per capita water availability will drop to around 1,200 cubic meters. In other words, considering climate change and rapid population growth, Türkiye is forecasted to become a water-scarce country by 2050.

When we examine the current situation by considering all these risks, we see that traditional agricultural methods are becoming insufficient, leading to a gradual decrease in agricultural lands. The livestock sector is currently the world’s largest user of natural resources. Approximately 80% of agricultural lands are designated for grazing or animal feed production, and 8% of global water usage is specifically allocated for irrigating feed crops. Consequently, it is evident that we need new approaches and multidisciplinary research for sustainable agriculture and livestock. In this process, it is crucial for all stakeholders in our sector to take the necessary steps to ensure food security and reduce economic losses collaboratively. As Trouw Nutrition Türkiye, we are always ready to fulfill our responsibilities in this regard,” she concluded. 

SCIENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT, IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, AND PROFITABILITY PRESENTED

On the first day of the Ruminant Academy, which offers high added value to the sector with its comprehensive program, Dr. Liz Homer, Sustainability Manager for Trouw Nutrition ECA Ruminant, took a holistic approach to sustainability, shedding light on carbon footprint solutions for various farm sizes. Trouw Nutrition Global Ruminant Technical Manager Allard Esselink discussed the tools and methods currently used in sustainable livestock, explaining the impact of these solutions on carbon dioxide reduction and profitability.

During the event, Eile van der Gaast, Marketing Manager for Trouw Nutrition Global Calf Milk, emphasized innovation and science-based solutions in livestock, detailing how investments in calf feeding and well-raised heifers contribute to farm efficiency. Georgina Thomas, Portfolio Manager for Trouw Nutrition ECA Calf Milk, highlighted the importance of feeding high-energy calf milk, one of Trouw Nutrition’s latest innovative products, which contains more metabolizable energy compared to traditional milk replacements, for herd efficiency and farm economy. Trouw Nutrition Technical Managers, who are also experts in calf nutrition, contributed to sustainable farming awareness by discussing their LifeStart feeding program, which supports the healthy growth of calves in their first weeks, along with their product Sprayfo Delta.

NEW APPROACHES TO SUPPORT FARM ECONOMY HIGHLIGHTED

On the second day of the Ruminant Academy, a renowned event in the livestock sector, Dr. William Reis, ICC Ruminant R&D Technical Specialist, emphasized that the path to sustainable production lies in the efficient use of existing resources. He delved into the details of lifetime productivity in dairy cattle. Laurent Dussert, Category Manager for Lallemand Ruminant Feed Additives, discussed the impacts of climate change and feed diversity on rumen microflora, providing detailed insights on raw material diversity and rumen adaptation.

Professor Antonio Gallo from the Department of Animal Science and Nutrition at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore shed light on the effects of changing climate conditions and mycotoxin risks on the industry. Henri Rijnders, Manager of Trouw Nutrition ECA Feed Additives, brought new approaches to feed quality and safety to the forefront, highlighting critical points for the efficiency of feed mills. Jac Bergman, Technical and Commercial Manager for Trouw Nutrition - Selko Ruminant Feed Additives, shared detailed information on how the use of organic acids affects TMR and silage quality and its contributions to animal performance and farm economy. 

The two-day event, which included workshops and academic games, concluded with a gala night.