Climate change and the increasing demand for animal-based foods pose major challenges for the Earth and humanity. Agriculture is directly affected by these developments, but it can also be a key technology for solving these problems. Therefore, the four-year European "farm4more" project is investigating strategies and technologies for mitigating climate change. It is also exploring options for regional protein supply for livestock. Particular attention is being paid to the systems approach of organic farming. In organic arable farming, clover grass is frequently cultivated as part of crop rotation, and silage is produced. After fermentation, this silage can be pressed to produce a protein concentrate from the extracted juice. This concentrate can be used in pig and poultry feed to reduce feed imports.
Due to the very high adsorption capacity of coal, reduced emissions can occur when it is used as animal feed. Therefore, a pilot plant will be commissioned as part of the project to produce coal from hardwood through pyrolysis. If the coal meets stricter quality guidelines, it can also be used as animal feed and could thus contribute to emission reduction.
These approaches and potential effects are being tested and verified at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein using broiler chickens and dairy cows as part of the EU Life project.
