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Sustainability and Animal Feed

Thoroughly read the information regarding the feed and answer the following questions. More than one answer may be correct.

  • Grain / wheat

    Use
    Food; feed grain, renewable resource
    Kind of feed
    High-energy feed
    Species
    Cattle and pigs
    Effects on the soil
    Input of nitrates into the soil by means of nitrogen fertiliser and herbicides in conventional cultivation
    Effects on the water supply
    Intensive water usage due to long growing periods for winter wheat
    Effects on biodiversity
    Cultivation does not contribute to biodiversity

  • Broad beans

    Use
    Food; animal feed; silage for biogas
    Kind of feed
    Protein feed
    Species
    Cattle and pigs
    Effects on the soil
    Improves soil structure; independent nitrogen supply by means of rhizobia; valuable for crop rotation
    Effects on the water supply
    Low
    Effects on biodiversity
    Promotes biodiversity; bee pasture

  • Clover / red clover

    Use
    Green fodder and silage; green manure
    Kind of feed
    Protein feed
    Species
    Fresh fodder for cattle in indoor housing; pigs
    Effects on the soil
    Only one nitrogen application is required, then the rhizobia fix nitrogen; improvement of soil structure, which is valuable for crop rotation
    Effects on the water supply
    Low
    Effects on biodiversity
    Promotes biodiversity and serves as bee pasture

  • Soy

    Use
    Food; animal feed; biodiesel (rather little in the EU)
    Kind of feed
    Protein feed
    Species
    Cattle and pigs
    Effect on the soil
    When it comes to imported soy from South America, cultivation generally takes place on cleared rain forest and has a negative eco-balance
    Effects on the water supply
    Imported soy has negative effects on the water supply
    Effects on biodiversity
    Imported soy diminishes biodiversity thanks to monoculture

  • Hay

    Use
    Animal feed
    Kind of feed
    Roughage
    Species
    Ruminants such as cattle
    Effects on the soil
    Permanent grassland prevents erosion; replenishment of humus
    Effects on the water supply
    Permanent grassland is beneficial when it comes to water supply
    Effects on biodiversity
    Permanent grassland with little fertiliser promotes biodiversity

  • Sunflower

    Use
    Food; animal feed; biodiesel
    Kind of feed
    Protein feed
    Species
    Cattle; older pigs
    Effects on the soil
    Good preceding crops for improving soil structure
    Effects on the water supply
    Irrigation is not normally required
    Effects on biodiversity
    Used in crop rotation and without irrigation it promotes biodiversity

  • Oak / holly oak, cork oak

    Use
    Animal feed
    Kind of feed
    High-energy feed
    Species
    Cattle
    Effects on the soil
    Tree roots help prevent erosion; no mineral fertiliser required; contributes to soil creation/humus layer
    Effects on the water supply
    Irrigation is normally not necessary
    Effects on biodiversity
    Favourable microclimate promotes tree undergrowth

Quiz questions

When speaking of increasing global competition for agricultural land for use in the cultivation of animal feed and food for humans, what plants are at issue?

When it comes to the cultivation of many animal feeds, fields are fertilised in order to increase yields. However, some plant species, such as legumes, supply their own nitrogen. How can one describe this process?

What feed can be used not only to feed animals, but also "fill up" your tractor?

The digestive organs of cattle and pigs are different, meaning they cannot always digest the same animal feed. Which feed type is not appropriate for pigs?

Due to the ecological and social effects of the type of cultivation, one non-regional protein feed in particular is subject to intense criticism and is considered a synonym for a poor eco-balance?

The extensive use of acorns as animal feed in southern Spain contributes to improved ecological balance, but what can it not achieve?

You have allowed a beekeeper to set up beehives on your fields. Which type of feed cultivation would encourage particularly good yields of honey?

Clover promotes soil fertility, because

Sunflower has a very high energy content. Why has the price of sunflower seeds risen since 2008?

Permanent grassland is the foundation of hay production. What are its environmental advantages?

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