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Research on sustainable animal nutrition in Animal Husbandry
1  College of Life Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, 300382, China
Academic Editor: Elisabete Matos

Abstract:

Global animal husbandry is facing huge challenges. While meeting future demands for nutritional resources, such as protein, its environmental footprint must be significantly reduced. Although there are certain achievements without targeted and individual solutions, it is difficult to achieve a fundamental and systematic transformation. This study aims to evaluate the application of an integrated multi-strategy approach in pig production and make it effective in improving the impact on the environment and provide practitioners with feasible economic practical paths. The method seeks to evaluate the impact of different dietary compatibility methods on the utilization rate of animal nutrients, further adjust the diet formula to reduce the crude protein content, so as to maximize the use of nitrogen and other nutrients and energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The main strategy to reduce its production carbon footprint is to use local feed materials from breeding sites and add synthetic amino acids to the diet. Innovative feed additives are also used including phytase, protease and prebiotics. The main assessment indicators include nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balance, global warming potential (GWP, calculated by CO ₂ equivalent) and production cost per kg of pork. Results: Compared with the basic method, this method significantly reduced the excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus in the whole animal production process, reduced the production carbon footprint by 18%, and significantly improved the utilization rate of nutrients. For example, the utilization rate of nitrogen increased by 54%. The economic feasibility goal was achieved, and the total production cost was successfully reduced. This study shows that this method can achieve win–win environmental and economic benefits, provide a sustainable, economic and practical way to solve the impact of animal husbandry on the environment, and promote the sustainable development of animal nutrition in animal husbandry.

Keywords: Animal nutrition; feed formula; feed additive; circular economy; environmental footprint

 
 
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