Research of Animal Production Systems
We approach sustainability through four research themes: governance & livelihood, environmental impacts, biodiversity and animal welfare. Governance & livelihood and biodiversity relate to social and economic aspects of animal production, and biodiversity reward systems. Environmental impacts is about climate change and pollution. Animal welfare deals with the interaction between animals and their environments, and with the impact this has on animals.
Methodologies
To analyse and design systems we use both quantitative and qualitative methods and a combination of both. In most cases we work together with scientists from other disciplines, from e.g. social or plant sciences, or specialist animal scientists like nutritionists.
Depending on the research question we e.g. may draw a relation or a flow diagram, fill a SWOT, or gather numeric data via interviews, questionnaires or measuring on-farm. The next step is to then integrate this new knowledge in e.g. a simulation model or, in collaboration with stakeholders, we design a food system with a role for livestock. Such food systems can be nature-inclusive or circular agriculture, with a new role for livestock, like only being fed on feeds that cannot be consumed by humans.
Systems approach
Systems approach is our key expertise. It serves to understand the complexity of livestock systems and the urgent and pressing problems they are facing today. Food system thinking is an innovative approach into our sustainability research and teaching. The systems approach is used to combine and integrate knowledge from various research domains, and to include stakeholders into knowledge development.
Research themes
Governance and Livelihood
We research governance and livelihoods in sustainable food systems, exploring how policy incentives, certification schemes, and value chains shape transitions towards more just and sustainable livestock farming systems across diverse agricultural contexts
Environmental impacts
We study how livestock contributes to environmental issues, and how to mitigate their impact at various levels, including the farm, the value chain, the region, and the food systems level
Biodiversity
We explore the complex relationship between livestock and nature (including biodiversity and ecosystem services), and design farming systems and incentives to transition towards more sustainable agroecosystems
Animal welfare
We explore ways to improve the lives of all types of farmed animals. We place particular emphasis on assessing and improving animal welfare by using smart technology and behavioral and health indicators that reflect the emotional state of the animals
Our models
This food system model optimises the combination of crop and animal production systems to meet human dietary requirements while minimising environmental impacts or to maximise food production while respecting environmental targets. FOODSOM is used to illustrate the potential of improving food system circularity in various countries and regions. Recent publications using this model focus on interventions to improve food system circularity and on recoupling livestock and feed production. The model is available online: FOODSOM Public.
This linear programming (LP) model maximises labour income of Dutch dairy farms by optimising farm configuration and activities, while accounting for farm resources and legislation. Effects of legislation on the economic and environmental performance of farms have been assessed with the model, as well as effects of management options. A recent publication assesses the effects of new legislation and adoption of grass-clover swards. The model is available upon request.
Based on the animal breed, ambient climate and feed quality, this dynamic mechanistic model simulates the growth, feed intake, and feed efficiency of individual beef cattle and herds. Model output includes the biophysical factors affecting growth, which provides options to improve resource use efficiency in beef production. In a recent study, the model was evaluated for beef cattle in South Africa. The model is available online: LiGAPS-Beef.
This model is similar to LiGAPS-Beef, but milk production dynamics are included in greater detail to represent dairy cows. A new application of the model is the identification of deep phenotypes for dairy cow breeding programs. The model is available online: LiGAPS-Dairy.
This agent-based model (ABM) simulates the feeding behaviours of growing pigs and social interactions between pigs in a pen. The purpose of the model is to understand underlying factors and the effect of behavioural strategies of pigs. The model was applied in two studies that simulated feeding, social interaction and growth patterns of individual pigs. The model is available online: SocialPig.
This agent-based model (ABM) simulates the tail biting behaviour of growing pigs in a pen, with the aim to gain more insight in the causation of tail biting behaviour in group housed pigs. It was applied in a study to explore behavioural dynamics in tail biting. The model is available online: Tail_biting.
Animal Production Systems
Research of Animal Production Systems, led by Simon Oosting, focuses on unravelling the complexity of livestock systems.
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