• At the technology centre we work together with the sector to improve the quality and availability of fodder, reducing dependence on external sources, and working towards more efficient and sustainable livestock farming.

 

Fodder, such as grass or hay, is the basis of livestock feed, and its quality is a determining factor in guaranteeing productivity, animal health and farm profitability. In the Basque Country, however, local fodder production is conditioned by factors such as limited agricultural land, orography, climatic conditions and growing urban and industrial pressure, which can lead to a high dependence on external inputs.

To address this situation, at NEIKER we are actively working on researching and improving fodder in the local environment. We work closely with the livestock farming sector with the aim of moving towards a more self-sufficient model, which allows us to reduce costs, improve animal welfare and reinforce the sustainability of the sector.

In this context, the availability of locally produced quality fodder is essential, as it not only reduces the need for external feed purchases, but also improves farm efficiency, strengthens the local economy and contributes to the sustainability of the sector by reducing the carbon footprint. It also ensures adequate feed for livestock, which has a direct impact on their welfare and farm profitability.

“Good forage must provide energy, protein and fibre in adequate quantities. In addition, it must be clean and well preserved to maintain its nutritional value“, stresses Idoia Goiri, researcher in the Animal Production Department at NEIKER.

This requires good practices throughout the production process, from cultivation to conservation. This involves having healthy and fertile soils, selecting plant species and varieties that are best suited to local conditions and the needs of livestock, and mowing at the optimum time for grass growth. It is not always best to wait until the grass is at its tallest, but to identify the ideal point to maximise its nutritional value.

In addition, it is essential to ensure proper preservation of fodder through proper drying, ensiling or storage, and to control pests and diseases that may affect its quality.

‘These practices not only help to better meet the needs of livestock and reduce dependency on other products, but also support the transition to more profitable and sustainable livestock farming,’ she explains.

Sustainable and collaborative livestock farming

To put this into practice, at NEIKER we participate in the LIFE GREEN SHEEP project, a European initiative that seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of sheep farming. Within the framework of this project, we not only work on improving forage, but also on assessing its impact on livestock production and reducing emissions, contributing to the sustainability of the sector, optimising the use of resources and promoting more efficient management practices.

As Aser García, also a researcher in the Department of Animal Production at the centre, says, ‘we are working to ensure that local fodder not only meets the needs of livestock, but also contributes to reducing enteric methane emissions and the environmental impact of livestock farming’.

At a more local level, we participated in the IMIÑE operational group, whose objective was to create a collaboration network between farmers and livestock breeders in the Basque Country to facilitate the production and exchange of quality fodder. Although the network has not yet been formalised, specific collaborations are already taking place that are generating positive results, such as the identification of suitable varieties for cultivation or establishing prices according to the quality of the fodder or defining a logistical system for its transport.