Advancing Ruminant Nutrition for Sustainable Agriculture: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

The rearing of ruminants, including cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo, stands as one of the most paramount livestock activities globally. It plays a pivotal role in the production of meat and milk, products of both high nutritional value and significant economic worth. Ruminants have been an integral part of diverse agricultural landscapes for centuries, contributing to food security and livelihoods worldwide. However, this vital sector faces pressing challenges that demand innovative solutions to ensure both environmental sustainability and economic viability.

Our Special Issue seeks to delve into the latest research and developments in ruminant nutrition, addressing the contemporary challenges faced by this essential sector. Ruminant nutrition, as a dynamic discipline, is at the juncture of advancing scientific knowledge and the imperative to meet the increasing global demands while concurrently mitigating environmental impacts.

This Special Issue invites contributions focused on a range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Balanced Rations and Nutrient Utilization: Investigating the optimization of ruminant diets to enhance nutrient utilization, promote growth, and reduce waste, with a focus on precision feeding and data-driven approaches;
• Feed Efficiency and Environmental Impact: Evaluating the environmental footprint of ruminant production, including assessments of greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, and exploring strategies to reduce these impacts;
• Forage and Pasture Management: Exploring sustainable forage and pasture management practices that enhance animal nutrition and contribute to landscape conservation;
• Gut Microbiome Modulation: Investigating the modulation of the ruminant gut microbiome to enhance digestion, health, and production, with implications for nutrition, disease management, and antibiotic alternatives;
• Alternative Protein and Feed Ingredients: Assessing the feasibility and sustainability of incorporating alternative protein sources and unconventional feed ingredients to diversify ruminant diets;
• Precision Livestock Farming: Embracing technological advances and data-driven approaches for monitoring and managing ruminant health, nutrition, and production efficiency;
• Innovations in Health Management: Investigating novel approaches for managing ruminant health, including disease prevention, treatment, and health-promoting additives;
• Enhancing Ruminant Farming Sustainability: Focusing on improving the technical efficiency and sustainability of ruminant farming, optimizing resource use, and ensuring economic viability;
• Correlation of Feed Contaminants with Dairy Product Safety: Investigating the link between feed contaminants, such as aflatoxins, and their presence in dairy products such as cow's milk, with a focus on strategies to ensure product safety and quality;
• Enhancing Product Quality and Animal Well-being Through Nutritional Innovation: Researching the influence of innovative nutritional strategies on improving meat and milk quality while promoting ruminant health and well-being. For instance, studying the impact of bioactive substances on product quality and reduced antibiotic use as a means to improve animal health;
• Sustainable Feeding of Indigenous Breeds of Ruminants: Investigating strategies for the sustainable feeding and management of indigenous ruminant breeds. This includes optimizing diets and forage resources to support the unique nutritional requirements of these breeds, preserving genetic diversity, and contributing to the cultural and economic significance of indigenous livestock in various regions.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Vassilios Dotas
Dr. George K. Symeon
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• ruminant nutrition
• feed efficiency
• forage management
• gut microbiome
• alternative protein sources
• animal welfare
• precision livestock farming
• health management
• sustainable farming