Versatility from lucerne to the selection of forages for cattle farms
MaNu
The current financial crisis of Finnish agriculture is due to rapid and unexpectedly high increases in the prices of several inputs, particularly energy, concentrate feeds and fertilizers. In addition, the availability of some inputs, especially nitrogen fertilizers, has been poor. This has increased awareness of the fact that Finnish food and feed production is to a large extent based on industrial nitrogen fertilizers, that are produced from ammonia totally dependent on imports. Use of legume crops is one way to reduce the dependency of feed production on mineral fertilizers,increase the protein self-sufficiency and decrease fertilizer costs. In addition, legumes have positive environmental impacts. Red clover is the most common forage legume in Finland. If the use of legumes increases, it is good to diversify the species choice to mitigate risks of cultivation.Globally commonly used lucerne would be a good option, but knowledge of lucerne cultivation, ensiling, feed values and feed use as well as economic performance and environmental impacts under Finnish conditions is scarce. The primary aims of the current project are to provide sustainable solutions to improve the economic profitability of cattle farms and to reduce their dependency on commercial mineral fertilizers. In addition, the feed and protein self-sufficiency of farms is improved. In the project, the yield, composition and feed values of different types of lucerne are evaluated at two different locations in Finland. The ensilability and silage quality of lucerne is assessed. Lucerne use in the diets of finishing bulls is studied and effects on growth rate and carcass quality determined. Based on the experimental activities, the economic performance of lucerne cultivation and feed use are estimated, and environmental impacts evaluated. The field trials will be conducted Luke´s locations at Siikajoki and Jokioinen. The project will promote the profitability and competitiveness of Finnish cattle sector in a sustainable way by considering animal welfare, environmental impacts and biodiversity.
