Wageningen Livestock Research’s Post

This is a Humans of WUR story of people of the Animal Sciences Group (ASG). With these stories, we aim to spotlight our people. Today we spoke with Somaya Naser El Deen. “My name is Somaya and I am an entomologist at ASG-Wageningen Livestock Research for almost two years now. Originally from Lebanon, I spent six years in Italy for my master's and PhD. I speak Italian and am currently learning Dutch. Living in Wageningen is wonderful; I cycle to work through beautiful green surroundings, enjoying the early morning birdsong. My routine includes calls with family, gym workouts, and nightly reading.” 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? “I'm truly passionate about my work. My PhD in Italy began in 2017, focusing on a new topic: Insects as food and feed. This field is only about 15 years old, so there's still much to discover, especially in application, safety, and potential uses of insect products. I’m enthusiastic about this research and believe in its potential! Additionally, the encouraging and flexible work environment is fantastic.”   𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐒𝐆 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧? “Insects for food and feed are vital for sustainable food systems. Insects can serve as animal feed, and their frass (insect manure) is an organic fertilizer. We aim to create a closed cycle, ensuring nothing is wasted. Insects are reared on organic by-products that would otherwise be waste. The larvae are used as feed for poultry, fish, and pigs, while the frass enhances plant growth and resistance. Environmentally, insect farming requires less water and land, produces fewer emissions, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.”   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐒𝐆? “I think ASG is doing their very best. Our department's progress in insects as feed and food is impressive, especially given how new the topic is. It’s inspiring that we all share a common goal: sustainability and circularity. We strive for a more sustainable world, and insects play a significant role in that vision.”   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐔𝐑/𝐀𝐒𝐆; 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟎 𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬' 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞? “I first encountered WUR during my PhD at a summer school in 2019. I was impressed by the expertise and progress. Unlike other universities, WUR has a large, dedicated team for insects as food and feed, making it feel more advanced. Joining here felt perfect. Personal and professional development is crucial to me, and WUR offers opportunities to present our work nationally and internationally.”   𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬? “Bring your scientific curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm. Ask questions; colleagues are eager to help. Enjoy the weather—each season has its charm, even winter (I’m a winter person😊).” #HumansofWUR #animalscience #livestock

This is a Humans of WUR story of people of the Animal Sciences Group (ASG). With these stories, we aim to spotlight our people. Today we spoke with Elian Verscheijden. “My name is Elian and I work as as programme manager of ‘Integraal Aanpakken’ (translated to Integral Approach) at Wageningen Livestock Research (WLR) for two years now. I did my studies Animal Sciences here at WUR! Now, I live in Wageningen with my family and in my spare time I enjoy sports such as boot camps or running in the Uiterwaarden.” 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? “As the Programme Manager of 'Integraal Aanpakken', I’m driven by a single goal: making a tangible impact in reducing methane and ammonia emissions from livestock farming. This mission isn't just about numbers; it’s about combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future. Before this, I spent 9 years in the feed industry—a role I enjoyed, but where I became increasingly concerned about the pressing global issues of climate change and food security. The wealth of knowledge at WUR on the intersection of climate and food supply is remarkable, and it’s clear our food systems are far more fragile than we often realize. The empty shelves during the COVID-19 pandemic were a stark reminder of this vulnerability.” 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐒𝐆 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧? “In my role at WLR, I’m not the typical researcher. My strength lies in connecting dots—bringing together researchers and their (often fundamental) studies to create real-world solutions. It’s about more than just the science; it’s about translating research into practice. The heart of my work is connecting people, keeping them aligned with the program’s goals, and ensuring that our research has a real impact on the climate crisis by reducing methane emissions.” 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐔𝐑/𝐀𝐒𝐆 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟎 𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬' 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞? “What drew me to WUR and keeps me inspired is the diversity of topics, the depth of knowledge, and the shared passion among researchers to make a difference. I thrive on creating links—whether between researchers or with external partners—to drive our collective efforts in the right direction. There’s nothing more rewarding than getting the right people around the table to move forward together. And that’s exactly what I love doing. 😊” #HumansofWUR #animalscience #livestock

On Day 3 of #historytomystery, we evaluate agricultural tools from as far back as the stone age to future promises by technology. Some exerpts... "...results with minimal effort. Seed drills and planters now ensure precise planting depth and spacing, through instilled methods far superior to the capability of human hands. Combined harvesters can cut, collect, and lightly process crops, streamlining harvesting operations even before the produce leaves the confines of the farm. This not only optimizes harvesting but also helps in combating post-harvest losses, which have been a source of constant loss for farmers throughout history. When it comes to animal husbandry, practices of old relied heavily on natural breeding techniques. If Farmer Joe liked some traits of the rooster from Mrs Thompson's garden, he simply took his hen on an excursion over there in hopes that after a successful mating, offspring would bear some of those desirable traits. That was as good as it got then. Today, however, advancements such as artificial insemination and genetic engineering have transformed the landscape of livestock breeding. Companies like Genus PLC and Select Sires provide innovative solutions that allow farmers to select specific traits they desire while eliminating unwanted characteristics from an animal's genetic makeup. Genetic engineering, for instance, uses modern biotechnology to alter the genes of an animal, which can lead to healthier livestock or higher milk production. Farm animals, especially ruminants were mostly bred outdoors and foraged for food on the fields. At a time in ancient Egypt, poultry was force-fed dough to fatten them. Feeds were given to animals without considering their specific nutritional needs. In stark contrast, today's automated feeding systems and cutting-edge research into customized feed formulations ensures tailored diets for animals, optimizing nutrition to enhance their growth and health while mitigating waste. Veterinary care has also seen astonishing advancements. In the past, euthanasia was a common resort for sick animals, but with vaccinations, antibiotics, and health monitoring technologies with companies like Merck Animal Health and Zoetis at the forefront of developing life-saving solutions, we now experience significant reduction in farm animal mortality rates. Everyday must have felt like Halloween for birds and other pests, with scarecrows standing guard against summer pests. Farmers relied on makeshift fences, crude traps, and herding dogs, such ..." #agritech #agriculture #sustainableagriculture #regenerativeagriculture #foodsecurity #climateaction #historytomysteryday3 #faithiyoha #environmentalprotection #agribusiness #farmersmarket #farmlife #copywriter #agroai #contentmarketing #agriculturecontent #agtech #ancientwisdom #greenrevolution #futureofagriculture #precisionagriculture #carbonsequestration #Monsanto #GatesFoundation #Bayer #Cargill #JohnDeere #Syngenta #Rabobank #FAO #WorldBank

Vet Story Your Story Impacts created by an intervention in a complicated system is multilinear or multidimensional. Our traditional visibility of linear impact is the outcome of our play with X and Y axis plotting. 3-dimensional calculation and model is in now becoming popular. Still, we need models that can simultaneously calculate and plot in multi-dimensions so that decisions can be made based on trade-offs. ·      What are the different impacts, positive or negative, of spraying insecticide in a crop field? ·      What are the different impacts of introducing Tilapia fish in a new area? ·      What are the different impacts of importing kiwi and avocado in a country where it is not grown? ·      What are the different impacts of using fishmeal in poultry feed? ·      And many such questions? From a linear impact model, we have learned: ·      Spraying insecticide improve crop production. ·      Tilapia farming in a new area can improve animal protein availability in a new area. ·      Importing kiwi and avocado in a country where it is not grown can help increase the income of farmers in other country who grows it. ·      Using fishmeal in poultry feed help in efficient poultry production. We may also add few more impacts as well but that is not the end. Take example of using fishmeal in poultry feed. Fishmeal mostly comes from sea. It avails livelihood and income for poor fishermen. Those in supply and trading of it get margin. Poultry get better nutrition and poultry farmer higher income. However, it also promotes overexploitation of sea; depletion of marine biodiversity; and spread of microbes from sea to remote terrestrial location. Further, fossil fuel is burnt to haul it to a long distance. Human, poultry birds, and animal may be exposed to new microbes. And many more such impacts, some we can visualize now and others not. Fishmeal supports poultry production and it should. But if we can visualize all important impacts through a model, help us to take right decision by trade-off. Agriculture sector is set to move with Agroecology approach. Animal system (it is not the different organ system of animal) is coined in animal production and health sector. In which direction we are heading to? #SustainableAnimalAgriculture #VetStory

4 year PhD Scholarship in Animal Science at School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin in Ireland; TEAGASC PHD WALSH SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: “Evaluating lifetime enteric methane emissions from the suckler beef herd” WS 2023265 Background: There is increasing reliance on the agricultural sector to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile to meet legally binding climate change targets. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation are the largest source of GHG emissions from the agricultural sector. However, there is a lack of published research information available on enteric methane emissions from grazing beef animals. As part of the RumenVentory project, the aim of this PhD is to accurately quantify ‘lifetime’ enteric methane emissions from the suckler herd, including calves, weanlings, yearlings and suckler cows. There will also be a key focus on evaluating management strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions, including pasture type, silage quality, feed regimes, and animal genetics. The results from these experiments will be collated and combined with data from historic and ongoing experiments to generate the first large scale methane database for ruminant livestock in Ireland. This database will be used to generate country specific methane emission factors whilst allowing for more proactive decisions on how the suckler herd can improve breeding and management practices to mitigate methane. The candidate will focus on key areas including enteric methane production, genetics, grazing management, nutrition and animal production. Requirements Applications are invited from graduates holding or expecting a primary degree (First or Upper Second Class Honours) in a biological science (e.g., Agricultural Science, Animal Science, Genetics, Veterinary Science). The successful candidate will be expected to register with the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin for a 4-year Ph.D. degree. Award A 4 year PhD Scholarship funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine “RumenVentory” project. The Scholarship funding is €31,000 per annum which includes a flat rate stipend of €25,000 and contribution of €6000 for tuition fees which is tenable for 4 years. The successful candidate will be based at the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre (AGRIC), Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, and will be registered at UCD. The research will be collaborative, involving scientists at University College Dublin and Teagasc Grange. The scholarship will start in September/October 2024. Further Information: For further information, please email: alan.kelly@ucd.ie  or peter.doyle@teagasc.ie  (+353879523103). Application Procedure: A letter of interest together with a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees should be sent by email to peter.doyle@teagasc.ie  and alan.kelly@ucd.ie. Closing date 10 June 2024

This article explores the implications for development-oriented #agronomy of the growing interest in (in)equity as part of the story of food system transformation. Authors from Institute of Development Studies argue that while agronomy is not in a position to lead on addressing (in)equity among farmers, to say nothing of within the food system more broadly, ignoring the on-going debate about food (in)equity would be professionally irresponsible. Agronomy and agronomists must find ways to engage with (in)equity that are rooted in awareness, reflection and realism. We suggest how this might be done.

Rabo AgriFinance Women in Ag Tour Day 2 - Animal Agriculture! Our next round of tours shifted from fresh produce to… cows (animal agriculture)! First stop included a visit to AgNext at Colorado State University research station where they’re studying methane production in cattle led by Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Ph.D.. The program is fairly new, but their research into finding sustainable solutions for animal agriculture & methane production contributors is incredibly valuable and interesting. Many of their questions included… what environmental, genetic, or other factors might contribute to higher/lower methane emitters? How might feedlot vs. grazing impact methane production? Just as humans are focusing on gut health & better microbiomes, these researchers are looking at the same for cattle. I would really encourage anyone interested in learning more about the solutions to reducing methane & what those contributions might look like to visit their website and review the tabs in the resources dropdown. https://lnkd.in/gVQE9sHW Later, we visited Morning Fresh Dairy Farm for a tour of their facilities & a visit to the dairy cows! MFD is also the location of where noosa yoghurt is produced and ~30% of MFD milk goes into the dairy, but is also sourced from other dairies in CO. While learning about dairy production & witnessing the cow to bottle process, dairy farms have always done well integrating farm education and tourism, or better known as Agritourism. Bridging the gap for consumers and providing education on our food systems is incredibly important. It allows consumers to better understand how their food is grown and their impact on the families and employees who operate those farms. As someone who gives tours of our farm to a whole host of individuals, that connection creates a more loyal consumer & empowers them in their decision-making while at the grocery store or restaurant.

Cannibalism in seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a significant issue in aquaculture, especially during the early stages of development. It can lead to substantial losses in juvenile populations and is influenced by various biological and environmental factors. Causes of Cannibalism in Seabass Size Variation: One of the primary reasons for cannibalism in seabass is size heterogeneity among juveniles. Larger individuals tend to prey on smaller ones, especially when there is a significant size difference. High Stocking Density: Overcrowded conditions can exacerbate aggressive behavior, including cannibalism, as fish compete for limited resources such as food and space. Inadequate Feeding: Insufficient or irregular feeding can trigger cannibalistic behavior. When food is scarce or unevenly distributed, dominant fish may resort to eating smaller conspecifics. Stress: Stressful conditions, including poor water quality, sudden changes in environmental parameters, or handling stress, can increase aggressive behaviors, including cannibalism. Genetic Factors: Some studies suggest that certain genetic lines of seabass may be more prone to aggressive behaviors, including cannibalism. Prevention and Management Strategies Grading: Regularly sorting fish by size (grading) is one of the most effective ways to reduce cannibalism. Separating larger individuals from smaller ones minimizes size disparity and reduces the likelihood of cannibalism. Optimized Feeding Practices: Providing adequate and well-distributed food can reduce competition among fish. Using automatic feeders to ensure a consistent and even distribution of food can help minimize aggressive behavior. Stocking Density Management: Maintaining appropriate stocking densities is crucial. Overcrowding should be avoided, and the density should be adjusted according to the growth stages of the fish. Environmental Enrichment: Introducing environmental complexity, such as shelters or barriers, can reduce direct interactions between individuals and decrease the incidence of cannibalism. Stress Reduction: Ensuring optimal water quality, minimizing handling, and providing a stable environment can reduce stress and, consequently, the likelihood of cannibalism. Selective Breeding: Implementing selective breeding programs to reduce aggressive tendencies could be a long-term strategy to minimize cannibalism in seabass.

In a nutshell: *”Researchers are mass breeding desert locusts in giant greenhouses. **Desert locust farming could address animal feed shortages and provide sustainable protein. ***Food scientists say mass breeding should be done with caution to avoid crop loss.” #desertlocusts #foodscience #massinsectbreeding

Recent study sheds light on the intersection of #sustainability and profitability in dairy farming.   Researchers from Wageningen University & Research, Animal Breeding and Genomics (WUR-ABG), Animal Production Systems (WUR-APS) and China Agriculture University developed a new method to address the gaps between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and farm profit.   Rui Shi, researcher at #wur_abg: “We combined a bio-economic model and a life cycle assessment analysis to determine the intensity values of important genetic traits of dairy cows on a Chinese dairy farm. Consequently, we developed different selection indices based on different #breeding goals and identified the indices that can balance farm profit and GHG emission intensity.”   The study presents a promising approach that offers a win-win situation for both farmers and the planet. By strategically leveraging selection indices, dairy farmers can optimise their herd composition to not only enhance productivity and profitability, but also mitigate GHG emissions.   The findings emphasise the importance of adopting innovative strategies to address the dual imperatives of sustainability and profitability in agriculture. By embracing science-backed solutions like selection indices, dairy farmers can play a proactive role in mitigating climate change while securing their long-term success. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJ8uAqjQ #sustainableagriculture #animalbreeding