Research of Animal Production Systems
We approach sustainability through three research themes: livelihood, environment and animal welfare. Livelihood relates to social and economic aspects of animal production. Environment is about climate change, pollution, and biodiversity. 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
Livelihood
We study the social and economic aspects of animal production, in tropical countries and in Europe. Our work focuses on how livestock can help to adapt farms and food systems to climate change.
Animal welfare
This theme deals with the interaction between animals and their environments, and with the impact this has on animals. Keeping livestock has ethical challenges, for example animal welfare, or the ethical issues of exploiting animals for our own benefit.
Environment
Livestock contributes to climate change and pollutes water and air, because of emissions from feed production and manure, and because of enteric fermentation in the gut, which creates methane gas. Livestock is responsible for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gases.
Follow us on social media
Stay up-to-date and learn more through our social channel.