A need for generating sound quantitative data at national levels for feed-efficient animal production
Authors: Makkar Harinder P. S. , Ankers Philippe 
Published: December 2014

Increasing demand for livestock products will impose a huge demand on feed resources. Biophysical factors such as scarcity of land, soil and water, food–fuel–feed competition, ongoing global climate change and increasing competition for arable land and non-renewable resources such as fossil sources and minerals are challenging the sustainability of feed production systems. Efficient use of available feed resources is key to efficient animal production and food security. It is impossible to effectively manage a resource if its availability is not known. While Feed inventories or Feed assessments provide critical information on feed productive capacities and feed availability at a regional/country level, the sufficiency of the feed supply can only be gauged relative to demands for feeds. Essentially, this comparison between livestock requirements and feed supplies constitutes the Feed balance. In many countries Feed Balances are not usually available or accurate despite their strategic role for livestock development opportunities, for providing input data into country level food input-output analyses and for emergency prevention. Estimation of Feed Balance at a national level requires information on the amounts of feed resources available and their energy content, livestock population and herd structure. Likewise, reliable and harmonised herd structure data are also lacking. Information on what proportions of cereals being produced in a country that are diverted to feed production is critical for assessing food security situations in countries. In most situations these data are not available for most developing countries. Equally important is the information on the feeding systems i.e. how different feed resources are being fed to livestock. Assessment of environmental impacts of livestock and development of optimal feeding strategies rely on information about feeding systems and data on feed balance. Feed-use efficiency and decrease in release of environmental pollutants from livestock production systems hinges on feeding of balanced rations; and for their preparation, availability of reliable data on chemical composition and nutritional value of feed resources is a must. Also for reducing wastages, ensuring food safety through enhancing feed safety and promoting international trade, data on the presence of microbial contaminants including mycotoxins, heavy metals, antibiotic and pesticide residues must also be strengthened. Development of a National Feed Resource Information Systems linked to a Global Feed Resource Information Systems should be considered. Feed Inventories, Feed Balance, Feeding Systems, and Feed Quality including Feed Contaminants should be considered as integral components of an overall strategy or options that integrate technical (genetics, health and nutrition), policy and institutional interventions for using resources more efficiently to produce more food and feed. Both policy makers and animal feed and crop scientists have a role to play in making this possible.