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Ruminant Nutrition

What we do

We develop science-based solutions promoting an efficient and, in all aspects, sustainable ruminant and equine production, thereby supporting the green transition in Denmark and internationally. This is done by developing nutritional and management strategies that fulfil the animal´s nutrient requirements and support a resource efficient production taking environmental and climate aspects into account.

Our primary focus areas

  • Develop sustainable herbivore (dairy, beef, horses) production systems
  • Quantify nutrient requirements in relation to the animals' various physiological stages
  • Develop methods and systems for feed evaluation
  • Improve resource utilisation and develop sustainable feedstuffs in a circular bioeconomy
  • Develop novel feed additives and strategies to mitigate emission of methane and other greenhouse gasses, and explore the interaction between nutrition and rumen microbiome community
  • Provide feeding strategies to optimize nutrient efficiency and reduce environmental impacts of nitrogen, ammonia, and minerals including heavy metals
  • Investigate basic aspects of digestion, metabolism, and toxicology of bioactive components in feeds or feed additives
  • Provide calf nutrition strategies for improving health and performance
  • Identify biomarkers for metabolic and physiological status and lifetime performance
  • Utilize the gained knowledge on ruminants to optimise nutrition of other herbivore species, e.g. equines
  • Prevent production diseases related to digestion and metabolism
  • Develop alternative experimental animal models and less invasive experimental procedures
  • Model biological and production processes
  • Provide sustainable solutions to develop organic production
  • Base our teaching and public advice on research conducted in world class research facilities
  • Disseminate our knowledge broadly for the benefit of society, industry, and other stakeholders

Head of Research Unit

Peter Lund

Professor, Head of Section Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences - ANIVET Ruminant Nutrition (RUN)