Cattle are unique in their ability to convert lignocellulosic biomass into valuable protein. Although beef cattle have the lowest production efficiency compared to other cattle and livestock (Mottet et al. 2017), most measurements do not account for the fact that beef cattle produce high-quality protein from feed ingredients that are largely unsuitable as food for humans and other livestock species.
Many farm veterinarians (and allied professionals) are looking to build knowledge and confidence talking to their clients about sustainability, so they can approach difficult conversations with an evidence based approach. “A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming”, our online course in partnership with Vet Sustain, is designed to do just that; empowering veterinary professionals to unlock their unique toolbox of skills and knowledge to help producers attain multiple sustainability objectives.
Former Dyrlæger & Ko colleague, now lecturer at Aarhus University, Mogens Krogh has been involved in the following project, along with representatives from a number of academic institutes across Europe, Africa, USA and Canada.
In June we posted a short article outlining an exciting project being undertaken by Anuschka Marsman, of Prostock Vets, who was launching a project to monitor dung beetle populations and provide education to farmers on the reduced use of anthelmintics.
If you are looking for a light summer read, maybe more memoir than science based, you could do a lot worse than reading "Rooted" by Sarah Langford. The book was published in 2022, by Penguin, and its sub-title reveals much about its background theme: “How Regenerative Farming Can Change the World.”
"For every complex problem, there's a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong." H.L.Mencken
VetSalus has just launched a new climate tool designed to make it easier for veterinarians to report the carbon footprints of their businesses.
Everyone who has lived in New Zealand knows it is a very special place: we don’t call it ‘Godzone’ for nothing! Of course, we also know that New Zealand is “clean and green”: after all we have an international reputation for our pristine environment. So why should any veterinary business in New Zealand be concerned about its precise carbon footprint?
