Legumes and seaweed as alternative protein sources for sheep

A kick-off meeting of the project was held at CSIC in Granada, Spain during March 2014. The following years, physical meetings were held in Norway (2015), Switzerland (2016) and Denmark (2017). The project group have monthly meetings via Skype. All seaweed samples were analysed for protein digestibility and degradability. Amino acid composition, digestibility and degradability were also tested. Two master students at Aarhus University have performed these studies with the outcome of two published peer-reviewed paper. Other analyses of the seaweed species were: total polyphenol (performed by a master student at CSIC), in vitro methane production and as anthelmentics. A growth experiment with lambs, an in vivo feeding trial for reduction of nematodes and two experiments for measuring enteric methane emission from sheep were performed during 2016 and 2019. Data are being analysed for publication. The project has produced five peer-reviewed papers, 3 master students, participated at 12 different conferences and presented the project with posters or oral presentations.

Prosjektet har fått stor oppmerksomhet nasjonalt. Fokus på makroalger som fôr til husdyr er i fokus og flere prosjekter er innvilget der makroalger er tema (NIBIO er involvert i 2; Regionale Forskningsfond prosjekt Ensiled Cultivate Macroalgae as a sustainable ruminant feedstuff (EnMac); ERA-GAS prosjekt Seaweeds and seaweed-ingredients to reduce enteric methane emissions from pasture-based sheep, cattle and dairy cows (SEASOLUTIONS)). NIBIO og Nordlandsforskning er med i Algenettverk Nordland.

The main objective of this project is to identify alternative protein sources, where locally produced legumes and seaweed seems to be the most suitable, sustainable and environmental friendly sources as alternatives to imported soya. The project will chal lenge farmers and public authorities to the issue between the uses of imported versus locally produced feed ingredients in Norwegian livestock production. The social science approach will be followed up by experiments of such ingredients to evaluate their suitability in terms of nutritional value, effect on methane gas emissions and animal health on sheep. The prohibition in the use of animal and fish protein subsequent to the BSE crisis in the 1990's produced a gap in the supply of protein to ruminants. The Norwegian meat production is highly depending on imported protein sources and soya became the most suitable protein source. However, in 1996 the Norwegian government forbid import and use of GMO-ingredients in animal feeds. The increasing demand for f eed worldwide includes also that of GMO-free soya which subsequently is difficult to find. Focus for covering the demand for protein sources in Norwegian concentrate should be put on locally produced products such as legumes and seaweed. With sheep used a s the experimental animal, the project will screen and investigate a number of legumes and red and green seaweed to determine the species best suited as alternative protein sources. The project will map characteristics important for a high growth rate in lambs; reducing the emission of enteric methane and reduce the burden of gastro-intestinal nematodes. The project will include a work-package addressing the individual and managerial perceptions on obstacles and opportunities following an altered protein supply change. The results are expected to supplement and stimulate the production of environmental friendly and locally produced protein sources in the arctic region.