ArcticFerm – Innovative feed solutions for reindeer husbandry from by-products

ArcticFerm -project develops and pilot’s new circular economy solutions by utilizing industrial

side streams and unused field hay for the production of functional feeds. At the core of the

project is a fermentation process where domestic fungi are used to convert raw materials into

nutritionally valuable feed that supports animal health and welfare.

The project pilots feed production in the Biolab facilities of Lapland University of Applied

Sciences and tests the effects of the produced feeds in reindeer feeding trials during two

consecutive winters. In addition, the project explores broader applications for other livestock and

assesses the potential of functional feeds to reduce methane emissions.

The project creates practical solutions for value chains between local breweries, hay producers

and feed manufacturers, and investigates the feasibility of establishing a low-technology

mushroom cultivation facility in the region. As a result, an operational model will be created that

generates added value for raw material producers, strengthens the sustainability of reindeer

husbandry, improves animal welfare, and supports the circular and bioeconomy goals of the

Lapland region.

The implementation combines scientific expertise with regional piloting. The Natural Resources

Institute Finland (Luke) will be responsible for analyzing the nutritional composition and

functional properties of the feeds as well as conducting feeding trials, while Lapland University