Adapting the feed, the animal and the feeding techniques to improve the efficiency and sustainability of monogastric livestock production systems
Adapting the feed, the animal and the feeding techniques to improve the efficiency and sustainability of monogastric livestock production systems
Alternative feed ingredients and real-time characterisation
Rapeseed field, France
Credits: Gilles Tran / AFZ
Preparation of green biomass from clover
Alternative feed ingredients and real-time characterisation
Preparation of green biomass from clover
Credits: Aarhus University
Alternative feed ingredients and real-time characterisation
Soy product
Credits: Hamlet Protein
Processing green biomass
Alternative feed ingredients and real-time characterisation
Processing green biomass
Credits: Aarhus University
New animal traits for innovating feeding and breeding strategies
Chicks
Credits: Hamlet Protein
New animal traits for innovating feeding and breeding strategies
Piglets after weaning
Credits: Henri Flageul / INRA
Modelling biological functions with emphasis on feed use mechanisms
Sows on straw
Credits: Henri Flageul / INRA
Modelling biological functions with emphasis on feed use mechanisms
Rabbit farm
Credits: Camilo Gonzalez
Management systems for precision feeding
Precision feeder for individual tailored feeding
Credits: Cândido Pomar et al., 2009
Management systems for precision feeding
Precision feeder for individual tailored feeding
Credits: Cândido Pomar et al., 2009
Use of traits in animal selection
Chicks
Credits: Hamlet Protein
Use of traits in animal selection
Domestic rabbit
Credits: Adamantios
Use of traits in animal selection
Sow with piglets
Credits: Topigs
Sustainability assessment of the production system
Soybean field, Germany
Credits: AnRo0002
Sustainability assessment of the production system
Piglets
Credits: Henri Flageul / INRA

The Feed-a-Gene project

Feed-a-Gene aims to better adapt different components of monogastric livestock production systems (i.e., pigs, poultry and rabbits) to improve the overall efficiency and to reduce the environmental impact. This involves the development of new and alternative feed resources and feed technologies, the identification and selection of robust animals that are better adapted to fluctuating conditions, and the development of feeding techniques that allow optimizing the potential of the feed and the animal. 

  • Feed-a-Gene has been awarded a grant from the European Commission (Grant agreement no: 633531) under the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020.
  • The estimated eligible costs of the action are € 9,933,795.00.
  • The duration of the action will be 60 months as of 1st March 2015.

Objectives

The project will:

  • Develop new and alternative feeds and feed technologies to make better use of local feed resources, green biomass and by-products of the food and biofuel industry.
  • Develop methods for the real-time characterization of the nutritional value of feeds to better use and adapt diets to animal requirements.
  • Develop new traits of feed efficiency and robustness allowing identification of individual variability to select animals that are more adapted to changes in feed and environmental conditions.
  • Develop biological models of livestock functioning to better understand and predict nutrient and energy utilization of animals along their productive trajectory.
  • Develop new management systems for precision feeding and precision farming combining data and knowledge from the feed, the animal, and the environment using innovative monitoring systems, feeders, and decision support tools.
  • Evaluate the overall sustainability of new management systems developed by the project.
  • Demonstrate the innovative technologies developed by the project in collaboration with partners from the feed industry, breeding companies, equipment manufacturers, and farmers’ organisations to promote the practical implementation of project results.
  • Disseminate new technologies that will increase animal production efficiency, whilst maintaining product quality and animal welfare and enhance EU food security to relevant stakeholders.

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Organisation

Feed-a-Gene gathers 23 partners from 8 European countries and China: 8 research institutes and higher education organisations, 9 industry partners (2 involved in livestock production, 2 in innovative technologies for animal breeding, 3 in feed production and transformation, and 2 in equipment for precision feeding), 6 in extension and management.

INRAE
Topig Norsvin
Gran Suino italiano
Acta
ITAVI
Terres Inovia
Association Française Zootechnie
INRAE Transfert