Development and testing of an innovative process for the production of high-quality domestic protein feed from lucerne and lucerne and clover grass for pigs and ruminants (NovaLuz)

The objectives, approach and results of the project are summarised in this final report.

Organic farming is confronted with a bottleneck in the supply of essential amino acids from 100 % organic feed in pig farming. The innovative protein feed, which can be produced using the high-cutting method, is intended to counteract this. In addition, the upgrading from field fodder cultivation to a "real" market crop can create a new value chain that strengthens the competitiveness of Bavarian agriculture as well as the upstream and downstream sectors.

The Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Animal Husbandry (ILT) of the Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture (LfL) in Freising was responsible for the joint project management and coordination of the project. The Faculty of Sustainable Agricultural and Energy Systems at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences was primarily responsible for the "Feeding" work package in a sub-project in the form of exact trials on high-cut alfalfa and residual alfalfa in dairy cows, practical trials with alfalfa high-cut in dairy cows and practical trials with alfalfa high-cut in fattening pigs.

In addition to the participation of the Agricultural Teaching Institutes Triesdorf as the third research partner, partners from industry (Futtertrocknung Lamerdingen e. G. and Meika Tierernährung GmbH) as well as agricultural practice (farms with dairy cattle and fattening pigs) are also involved in the project.