BOKU Symposium Tierernährung

With the global population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050 and a growing preference for animal-based products globally, the challenge of ensuring a sustainable and efficient supply of protein for animal nutrition has become a critical issue requiring innovative solutions. In this context, alternative protein sources are being actively assessed and developed to help bridge the expected protein gap, as conventional protein sources alone may not be able to meet the ever-increasing demand.

The use of free amino acids is a potential approach to improve the protein quality of plant sources to better meet the nutritional needs of livestock. However, the production and use of these amino acids is controversial. In addition, the limitations of land use systems, such as organic farms or extensively managed agricultural systems, require research into natural, sustainable alternatives that meet the requirements of these systems.

The main challenge in feeding protein to animals is the low nitrogen use efficiency, which poses a burden to the environment. Optimal feeding strategies, accurate knowledge of animal requirements and sustainable manure management are essential to address this issue. As herbivores, ruminants are particularly susceptible to nitrogen losses, with approximately 70% of ingested nitrogen being excreted in faeces and urine.

The BOKU Symposium Animal Nutrition 2025 deals with the supply of proteins, i.e. their sources, sustainable production and use in feeding strategies. The aim of the symposium is to document different aspects of the topic and to inform about the current state of scientific knowledge. In addition, selected oral and poster presentations will provide an opportunity to present current research in animal nutrition that goes beyond the general topic.

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