One crop two diets – locally sourced feed for cow and chicken from biorefined forage

Currently, Norwegian animal husbandry is heavily dependent on imported protein feedstuffs, in particular soy which is associated with deforestation and climate gas emissions. ONETWO aims to evaluate biorefinery of forage as a measure to increase self-sufficiency of feed protein in the Norwegian livestock production sector. Biorefinery technology has recently demonstrated successful industrial separation through mechanical pressing of forage crops into parallel commodities and value chains: 1) a green juice that can be dewatered to Green Protein Concentrate (GPC) suitable for monogastrics and 2) a fibre-rich press residue (pulp) that can be ensiled and is suitable for ruminant livestock. Using an transdisciplinary and participatory approach, involving dedicated researchers and industrial partners from different positions along the value chain, we aim to 1) improve the efficiency of the biorefinery process by applying novel de-watering technology, 2) evaluate GPC and pulp as feed for dairy cows and chicken through in vitro digestibility assessment and feeding experiments, and 3) develop business models for biorefinery of forages in a Norwegian context. To successfully address our ambitions and aims, ONETWO includes experts in forage production, agrotechnology, biorefinery, animal and social sciences. An important impact of ONETWO will be to improve utilisation of Norwegian gras resources by incentifying farmers to maintain grass production areas, despite decreasing ruminant production, and to re-open fallow land. Further, it will contribute ro increased share of animal feed ingredients being produced in Norway, with a corresponding reduction in soy import, less dependency on imports and higher food security.