Projects and publications by Wageningen Livestock Research

Current projects

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  The effect of dietary protein on health in dairy cows

  December 1, 2022 - By Axel van Ruitenbeek
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  Creating resilience in pigs through artificial intelligence

  October 15, 2022 - By Mahsa Mohseni
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  Automated broiler phenotyping

  April 1, 2022 - The project aims to identify, upscale and implement technologies for automated individual broiler phenotyping to improve the currently recorded and novel phenotypic traits related to health, welfare and performance. Through extensive collaboration with broiler breeding practice and technological partners, we dedicate ourselves to research towards full practical implementation.
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  Microbiome in relation to CH4 and NH3 emissions

  January 1, 2022 - Reduction of methane emissions can be achieved through an integrated feed and animal-oriented approach. Enteric methane production is largely influenced by feeding strategies and by control of the (rumen) microbiome. This project plan investigates the microbiome track and its influence through animal management.
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  Resilient Agriculture for Inclusive and Sustainable Ethiopian food systems (RAISE-FS)

  September 1, 2021 - The four-year Resilient Agriculture for Inclusive and Sustainable Ethiopian Food Systems programme (RAISE-FS) is aimed to bring about transformation in the Ethiopian food system. RAISE-FS will develop and implement a demand-driven and interdisciplinary approach to Research for Food System Transformation and as such contribute to the Government of Ethiopia’s transformational agenda.
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  Pro-ARIDES project aims at increased resilience and economic development of Sahel region

  January 1, 2021 - The ten-year Pro-ARIDES project (2021-2030) is designed to contribute to increased resilience, food security and household incomes for farmers and (agro) pastoralists in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. It is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and executed by SNV, CARE-Nederland, Wageningen University & Research and KIT Royal Tropical Institute.
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  mEATquality

  January 1, 2021 - Sub-programme 1 (Safe primary production (food and environment)): the project identifies food safety risks and maps them with an integrated QACCP approach. In addition, WU will conduct a sensitivity analysis with regard to food fraud by means of interviews with, among others, meat processors and retailers that use the SSAFE tool. Sub-programme 2 (Improving animal health and welfare): the central question is how extensive farming can provide welfare improvements for pigs and broilers. The effects of local feed production, space, breed and pen enrichment are measured in relation to, among other things, the development of resilient animals and best practices. Sub-programme 3 (Integral sustainability of livestock farming): the ultimate goal is integrally sustainable farming systems. Technical information, best practices, economic consequences (for a clear substantiation of the revenue model) and information for consumers to enhance the social dialogue are developed.
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  REFOOTURE - Food Futures Eastern Africa

  July 1, 2020 - Towards regenerative, inclusive food systems in Eastern Africa.
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  Relationship between microbiome and genetics

  January 1, 2020 - What is the relationship between the composition of the rumen microbiome and the cow's genetics? The integrated approach to methane and ammonia in dairy farming, with the aim of implementing the targeted reductions in 2030, means that for the ration, the entire chain of measures and practices to arrive at a ration (ensilage, grassland management, grass harvesting, quality, grazing, fertilisation, etc.) must be investigated. The effects of this in practice will be tested on pilot farms and demonstrated on demo farms so that action perspectives can be given to farmers.
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  Breeding livestock to control methane

  January 1, 2020 - The livestock sector is faced with the challenge of drastically reducing its methane emissions. Most methane emissions in livestock farming originate from cattle, and several strategies are available to reduce these emissions. One of these strategies is targeted breeding. A study funded by the Topsector Agri and Food, in collaboration with FrieslandCampina and CRV (cattle breeding cooperative), is investigating whether methane emissions of individual animals can be reduced through a targeted breeding programme.