About the research
In dry periods, is the grass greener on the other side? Then chances are it is reed fescue. This type of grass is much more drought-resistant than traditional English ryegrass. Unfortunately, cows are not very fond of reed fescue: they find it less tasty and digest it less easily. At ILVO, Maarten Cromheeke and his colleagues are testing whether newly developed varieties of reed fescue are more popular with young cattle and dairy cattle and whether they are better digested.
Agriculture
Contact Maarten
Gerelateerde video's
ILVO
Healthy soil for healthy crop development
For a farmer, a soil brimming with life, such as bacteria, fungi, and other organisms, is important for growing crops. But how do you get such a healthy soil? That's what Koen Willekens (ILVO) digs into in his research.
ILVO
Limiting the use of antibiotics in farms
To reduce the use of antibiotics on farms, we need to prevent animals from becoming sick as much as possible. This involves changing how farmers keep their animals, such as rethinking housing and transportation, adjusting their diet, and allowing young animals to stay with their mothers longer. However, these changes can be difficult for farmers because they might increase costs. Fanny Baudoin, a researcher from ILVO, spoke with farmers and others involved to understand these challenges. She aims to make recommendations on how to overcome these difficulties, helping us decrease the need for antibiotics on farms.
ILVO
How can we support old laying hens to keep laying good eggs for longer?
Did you know that laying hens stay on a laying farm until they are 18 months old? "But maybe this could be 4 months longer, provided their health, welfare, and egg quality are still fine," says Karolien Langendries (ILVO). Together with her colleagues, she investigates what support old laying hens need so that they can lay good eggs for longer.
