Research projects

Improved contribution of local feed to support 100% organic feed supply to pigs and poultry

Acronym : ICOPP

Code : OF0395

Contract Period : 01/10/2011 - 01/10/2014

Main Funder : Defra for UK work as part of the Core Organic II

ORC Staff Contact : Jo Smith

The aim of ICOPP is to produce economically profitable feeding strategies based on 100% organic feed across Europe, which will supply poultry and pigs the required level of nutrients throughout their lives while supporting high animal health and welfare.

Project Aims:

The project aims, through an innovative approach of increased knowledge of the characteristics of different local feeds and their wider impact on growth, health and welfare and environment, to produce new feeding strategies which comply with the aims for high animal welfare, production economics and environmental concerns.

The main objectives are:

  • Improved knowledge of availability and nutritional value of underutilised or new organic feed ingredients by animal category with a focus on local feed resources
  • Improved understanding of the possible benefits of roughage inclusion in relation to nutritional and behavioural needs as well as its impact on health and welfare
  • Understanding how direct foraging in the outdoor area can contribute to meeting the animals’ nutritional needs
  • Assessing the economic and environmental consequences of increased reliance on local organically-produced feed

Across the 10 partner countries, a range of feeding experiments will be carried out with pigs (sows, piglets and finishers) and poultry (layers and broilers). These trials will include different feedstuffs, roughage, and foraging. The insight gained from these activities will be used to analyse and produce feeding strategies adapted to the differences in local feed supply, the economic impact related to different feed procurement, and variations in production structure in different countries/agroecological zones in Europe.

ORC's Role:

ORC is contributing to nearly all the Work Packages in the project but we are running, in conjunction with FAI Farms, feed trials on growing pigs and broiler chickens. We will be investigating the effect of roughage on health, welfare and production parameters on pigs and the same effects of European protein sources for the poultry.

We are also running field assessments of feed resources from various on farm habitats and will be collating data on the subject with a desk study to test the hypothesis that the range can contribute to the nutritional needs of pigs and poultry.

Finally we are responsible for leading the knowledge exchange and dissemination within the project.

Current progress highlights:

The project has now been completed.

The derogation from the EU Organic Regulatory Board to allow organic pig and poultry producers to include up to 5% non-organic feed within their rations was due to finish at the end of December 2014. From then on all producers would have been required to feed monogastric animals a 100% organic diet. This has now been extended to 31 December 2017. See news item

Project leader and partners:

Aarhus University, Denmark – Project leader (AU)
Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics (LIAE)
Wageningen UR, Netherlands (WUR – LR)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria (BOKU)
The Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Germany (VTI)
Agrifood Research, Finland (MTT)
University of Applied Sciences, Germany (HSWT)
Louis Bolk Institute (LBI)
FAI Farms, UK (FAI)
Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL)
Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA)
Institut Techniique de l’Agriculture Biologique (ITAB)
LFZ Raumberg Gumpenstein (LFZ)

Publications:

Gerrard, C.L., Smith, J., Nelder, R., Bright, A., Colley, M., Clements, R., Pearce, B., (2015) 100% Organic Poultry Feed: Can Algae Replace Soybean Expeller in Organic Broiler Diets?, Organic Farming, 1(1):38-45

Gerrard, C.L., Smith, J., Nelder, R., Bright, A., Clements, R. and Pearce, B. (2014) 100 % Organic feed for poultry – results of feed trials in the UK. In: Rahmann G and Aksoy U (Eds.): Building Organic Bridges. Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference 13-15 Oct. 2014, Istanbul, Turkey. Thuenen Report 20, Braunschweig, Germany. Pages: 1147-1150.

Smith, J., Gerrard, C.L., Nelder, R., Clements, R. and Pearce, B. (2014) 100% Organic feed for pigs – results of feed trials in the UK. In: Rahmann G and Aksoy U (Eds.): Building Organic Bridges. Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference 13-15 Oct. 2014, Istanbul, Turkey. Thuenen Report 20, Braunschweig, Germany. Pages: 1151-1154

Smith, Jo and Bauer, Christine (2014) ICOPP Report: Can the range contribute to the nutritional needs of organic pigs and poultry? ICOPP REPORTS. Organic Research Centre, UK.

Nelder, Rebecca; Smith, Jo; Clements, Ruth and Pearce, Bruce (2012) 100% local and organic: closing the protein gap for poultry in the ICOPP Project. In: Rahmann, Gerold and Godinho, D (Eds.) Agriculture and Forestry Research (362), pp. 385-387.

General

Früh, Barbara (2014) Eiweißfuttermittel – Wie groß ist die Eiweißlücke und welche Alternativen gibt es? Ökologie & Landbau, 2/2014 (170), pp. 15-17.

Hermansen, J.E. (2011)ICOPP. CORE Organic Research Seminar, Paris, France, 29 Novembre 2011. [Submitted]

Hermansen, J.E. (2011) ICOPP. Presentation at: Statusmøde Organic RDD og CORE Organic II, Horsens, Denmark, 16 November 2011. [Submitted]

Voutila, L.; Partanen, Kirsi and Siljander-Rasi, Hilkka (2012) Uudet hankkeet – ICOPP. [New projects – description of ICOPP.] Maaseudun Tiede, 22 October 2012, 3/2012, p. 14.

Feed Evaluation

Juin, H., Feuillet, D., Roinsard, A. and Bordeaus, C. (2014) Nutritional value of organic raw material for poultry. In: Rahmann G and Aksoy U (Eds.): Building Organic Bridges. Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference 13-15 Oct. 2014, Istanbul, Turkey. Thuenen Report 20, Braunschweig, Germany.

Krimpen, M.M. van, J. Th. M. van Diepen, B. Reuvekamp en J. van Harn (2011) Verteerbaarheid van biologisch geteelde veevoedergrondstoffen bij leghennen (Digestibility of organic processed feed ingredients in laying hens). WLR-Rapport 422, Lelystad.

Krimpen, M. M. van, P. Bikker, I. M. Van der Meer, C. M. C. Van der Peet-Schwering, and J. M. Vereijken. (2013). Cultivation, processing and nutritional aspects for pigs and poultry of European protein sources as alternatives for imported soybean products. Report 662, Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands.

Kyntäjä, Soile; Partanen, Kirsi; Siljander-Rasi, Hilkka; Jalava, Taina (2014) Tables of composition and nutritional values of organically produced feed materials for pigs and poultry. MTT Report 164.

Kortelainen, Tiina; Siljander-Rasi, Hilkka; Tuori, Mikko and Partanen, Kirsi (2014) Digestibility of nutrients in novel organic protein feedstuffs for pigs: grass pea seeds, dehulled sainfoin seeds and soybean pulp (okara).

Kortelainen, Tiina; Siljander-Rasi, Hilkka; Tuori, Mikko and Partanen, Kirsi (2014) Ileal digestibility of amino acids in novel organic protein feedstuffs for pigs: Black soldier fly larvae meal (Hermetia illucens).

Kortelainen, Tiina; Siljander-Rasi, Hilkka; Tuori, Mikko and Partanen, Kirsi (2014) Ileal digestibility of amino acids in novel organic protein feedstuffs for pigs: Mussel meal (Mytilus edulis).

MTT, 2014-11-04 https://portal.mtt.fi/portal/page/portal/Rehutaulukot/feed_tables_english/feed_tables/poultry Partanen, Kirsi (2012) Hyönteisiä lautaselle ja eläinten rehuun. [Insects on the plate and for animal feeds.] Maaseudun Tiede, 17 December 2012, p.9.

Partanen, Kirsi (2012) Toukat tuottamaan valkuaisrehua? [Insects to produce protein feed?] MTT elo, 30 November 2012, p. 1.

Concentrates

Gerrard, C.L., Smith, J., Nelder, R., Bright, A., Colley, M., Clements, R., Pearce, B., (2015) 100% Organic Poultry Feed: Can Algae Replace Soybean Expeller in Organic Broiler Diets?, Organic Farming, 1(1):38-45

Baldinger, L., Hagmüller, W., Minihuber, U., Matzner, M. and Zollitsch, W. (2014c). Sainfoin seeds in organic diets for weaned piglets – utilizing the protein-rich grains of a long-known forage legume. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. In Press.

Baldinger, L., Wlcek, S., Hagmüller, W., Minihuber, U., Matzner, M. et Zollitsch, W. (2014a). La production porcine biologique en Autriche – les defis actuels et les activités de recherche. Dans: ITAB. Vers une alimentation 100 % AB en élevage porcin biologique, 20 May 2014, Rennes, France, Pages 29-35.

Baldinger, L., Hagmüller, W., Minihuber, U. And Zollitsch, W. (2014b) Grass pea seeds as protein-rich feed for weaned piglets. In: Rahmann G and Aksoy U (Eds.): Building Organic Bridges. Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference 13-15 Oct. 2014, Istanbul, Turkey. Thuenen Report 20, Braunschweig, Germany.

Baldinger, L., Hagmüller, W., Minihuber, U., Matzner, M., Zollitsch, W. (2014d) Esparsetten- und Platterbsen-Samen für das Schwein. Ökologie & Landbau 170, 2/2014: 30-32.

Baldinger, L. (2014e). Aus der Forschung. Ferkel: Samen von Esparsette / Platterbse. Bio Austria 4/2014, 20.

Baldinger, Lisa; Hagmüller, Werner; Matzner, Marlene and Zollitsch, Werner (2012) Esparsette-Samen als proteinreiche Futterkomponente für Bio-Aufzuchtferkel – ein neues Einsatzgebiet für eine alte Futterpflanze. [Sainfoin seeds as a protein-rich feedstuff for organic piglets – a new utilization for an old forage plant.] Poster at: Forschung und Lehre zum Ökolandbau an der Boku, Wien, 18.10.2012.

Baldinger, Lisa; Hagmüller, Werner; Minihuber, Ulrike and Zollitsch, Werner (2013) Esparsetten- und Platterbsensamen als Schweinefuttermittel. [Sainfoin and grass pea seeds as feed for pigs.] In: Bio Austria (Ed.) “Wachsen und gut leben”, Bio Austria Bauerntage 2013 Tagungsband, pp. 91-93.

Baldinger, Lisa; Hagmüller, Werner; Spanlang, Ulrike; Matzner, Marlene and Zollitsch, Werner (2012) Sainfoin seeds as protein source for weaned piglets – a new utilization of a long-known forage legume. In: Rahmann, Gerold and Godinho, Denise (Eds.) Tackling the Future Challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Hamburg, Trenthorst, Germany, pp. 371-374.

Bussemas, R., Falk, A. und Weißmann, F. (2013) Vergleich von vier Fütterungsstrategien für Öko-Ferkel. 12. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau. D. Neuhoff, C. Stumm, S. Ziegler, G. Rahmann, U. Hamm & U. Köpke (Hrsg.) (2013): Ideal und Wirklichkeit – Perspektiven Ökologischer Landbewirtschaftung.

Gerrard, C.L., Smith, J., Nelder, R., Bright, A., Clements, R. and Pearce, B. (2014) 100 % Organic feed for poultry – results of feed trials in the UK. In: Rahmann G and Aksoy U (Eds.): Building Organic Bridges. Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference 13-15 Oct. 2014, Istanbul, Turkey. Thuenen Report 20, Braunschweig, Germany. Pages: 1147-1150.

Hagmueller, Werner; Baldinger, Lisa; Minihuber, Ulrike and Zollitsch, Werner (2013) Esparsettensamen in der Ferkelaufzucht – Leistungsdaten und Blutparameter. Paper at: 12. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, 5. bis 8. März 2013.

Jönsson, L. (2009) Mussel meal in poultry diets – with focus on organic production. Doctoral thesis no. 2009:83. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Online publication of thesis summary.

Nelder, Rebecca; Smith, Jo; Clements, Ruth and Pearce, Bruce (2012) 100% local and organic: closing the protein gap for poultry in the ICOPP Project. In: Rahmann, Gerold and Godinho, D (Eds.) Agriculture and Forestry Research (362), pp. 385-387.

Wahlberg,Carolina(2012) Musselmjöl – nytt miljövänligt fodermedel. [Mussel meal – a new environmental-friendly feed ingredient.] Jordbruksaktuellt, 21 September 2012

Wallenbeck, A.; Neil, M; Lundeheim, N. and Andersson, K.H. (2014) Mussel meal diets to growing/finishing pigs: influence on performance and carcass quality. In: Book of Abstracts of the 65th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, p. 249.

Weißmann, F., Bussemas, R., Falk, A. (2012) A study on four feeding strategies of 100% organic origin for piglets concerning performance, health status, losses and economy in organic agriculture. In: Rahmann, Gerold and Godinho, D (Eds.), Tackling the Future Challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry. Proceedings of the 2nd OAHC, Hamburg/Trenthorst, Germany, Sep 12-14, 2012 Agriculture and Forestry Research (362) Pages 385-387.

Roughage

Bikker P. and Binnendijk G.P. (2014) Grass silage in diets for organic growing- finishing pigs. In: Rahmann G and Aksoy U (Eds.): Building Organic Bridges. Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference 13-15 Oct. 2014, Istanbul, Turkey. Thuenen Report 20, Braunschweig, Germany.

Bikker, P. and Binnendijk, G.P. (2012) Grass silage in diets for organic growing finishing pigs.

Bikker, Paul (2013) Ingekuild gras nog geen optie voor biologische vleesvarkens. (Grass silage not yet an option for organic growing finishing pigs).

Bracke, M.B.M., A.J.A. Aarnink en H.M. Vermeer, 2014. Extra snijmais goed voor welzijn varkens (Additional maize silage good for pig welfare). V-focus december 2014, p 34-35

Clements, R. (2013) Silage feed advice for pig farmers. Farmers Weekly and web report.

Nielsen, Karen Munk (2014) Grise gror godt på lucerne. Økologi & Erhverv, 23 May 2014, 545, p. 16.

Smith, J., Gerrard, C.L., Nelder, R., Clements, R. and Pearce, B. (2014) 100% Organic feed for pigs – results of feed trials in the UK. In: Rahmann G and Aksoy U (Eds.): Building Organic Bridges. Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference 13-15 Oct. 2014, Istanbul, Turkey. Thuenen Report 20, Braunschweig, Germany. Pages: 1151-1154

Verwer, C., Wagenaar, J.P. and Veldkamp, T. (2011) Van jongs af veel vezels. (Start feeding fibres during the rearing period of laying hens (in Dutch)).

Weltin, J., Carrasco, S., Berger, U. und Bellof, G. (2014) Luzernesilage aus spezieller Nutzung und technologischer Aufbereitung in der ökologischen Legehennenfütterung, in : Wiesinger, K., Cais, K. und Obermaier, S. (Hrsg.), Angewandte Forschung und Beratung für den ökologischen Landbau in Bayern Öko-Landbau-Tag 2014 am 9. April 2014 in Triesdorf, LfL Schriftenreihe, ISSN 1611-4159.

Weltin, J. Carrasco, S. Berger, U. und Bellof, G. (2014) Luzernesilage aus spezieller Nutzung und technologischer Aufbereitung in der ökologischen Geflügel- und Schweinefütterung. (Alfalfa silage from special usage and technological processing in the organic feeding of poultry and pigs.) Schlussbericht.

Weltin,J., Sundrum, A und Bellof, G.(2015) Silage von früh genutzter Luzerne (Medicago sativa) als Eiweiß- und Raufuttermittel in der ökologischen Broilermast. Paper at Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau. To be published at orgprints.org

Weltin, J. , Sundrum, A und Bellof, G (2015) Silage von früh genutzter Luzerne (Medicago sativa) als Eiweiß- und Raufuttermittel in der ökologischen Mastschweinefütterung. Paper at Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau. To be published at orgprints.org

Foraging

Jurjanz, S. and Roinsard, A., (2014). Ingestion d’herbe et de sol par des truies au pâturage. Alter Agri, 125, 27-28. (Intake of soil and grass by sows on pasture – English translation

Roinsard, A., Maupertuis, F., Dubois, A., (2014). De l’enrubannage pour les truies gestantes. Atler Agri, 125, 25-28. (Silage for gestating sows – English translation)

Germain, K., Brachet, M., Juin, H., Lamothe, E., Roinsard A., (2015). Le parcours pour volailles de chair : une ressource protéique à exploiter. In : Onzièmes Journées de la Recherche Avicole et Palmipèdes à Foie Gras, Tours, les 25 et 26 mars 2015.

Bonde, Marianne; Kongsted, Anne Grete; Mejer, Helena; Rousing, Tine and Serup, Tove (2013) Fremtidens udfordringer i svineproduktionen. Økologisk Nyhedsbrev, December 2013, 10, pp. 12-13.

Helmerichs, Juliane (2014) Paddock management systems for organic growing pigs: Effect of land allocation strategies on foraging activity and excretory behaviour. Masters thesis, Science and Technology, Department of Agroecology. Aarhus University, Aarhus.

Jakobsen, M. and Kongsted, A.G. (2014) Performance and behaviour of free-range pigs in relation to feed protein level and forage crop. In: Book of Abstracts of the 65th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 – 28 August 2014, Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen.

Jakobsen, Malene (2014) Organic growing pigs in pasture systems – effect of feeding strategy and cropping system on foraging activity, nutrient intake from the range area and pig performance. Økologiske slagtesvin på friland – effekt af foderstrategi og afgrødesystem på fourageringsaktivitet, næringsstofindtag fra udearealet samt tilvækst og foderudnyttelse. Masters thesis, Aarhus University, Institute of Agroecology.

Smith, Jo and Bauer, Christine (2014) ICOPP Report: Can the range contribute to the nutritional needs of organic pigs and poultry? ICOPP REPORTS. Organic Research Centre, UK.

Steenfeldt, S. and Horsted, K. (2013) Slagtekyllinger på friland. Poster at: Åbent Landbrug, AU Foulum, 15. september 2013.

Steenfeldt, S. (2013) Åbent Landbrug hos Aarhus Universitet i Foulum. Landbrug & Fødevarer.

Sustainability

Hermansen, John E. (2015) Organic pig and poultry systems in Europe based on 100% organic feed supply – Overall assessment report, D6.1 and D 6.2. Aarhus University, DK, Dept Agroecology.

Project Output:

All sources of funding:

Defra for UK work as part of Core Organic II. Other partners are funded by their respective governments.