YAS-33406 The role of Livestock in Future Food Systems

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

We assume general understanding of animal production systems, and disciplinary knowledge on nutrition, breeding, reproduction, health and welfare of kept animals as acquired in the 1st and 2nd year BDW courses at WU [or HAS Den Bosch].

Contents:

This course aims to discuss the role of livestock in future food systems. The challenge to produce enough nutritious food for a growing and more prosperous population in a sustainable way is currently broadly acknowledged. It is now also largely undisputed that the livestock sector uses a great deal of our natural resources, and contributes significantly to environmental issues. What role, if any, livestock do play in a sustainable food system is heavily debated. The aim of this course is to show different futures about the role of livestock in a sustainable food system, as outlined in the scientific literature, and to understand and discuss arguments underlying these futures. We focus particularly on the potential role of livestock in the 'circular food system'. In a circular food system, we use biomass at its highest utility, just like in a natural ecosystems. Livestock do play a key role in a circular food system, as they can convert biomass inedible for humans, so-called leftovers, into nutritious animal-source food. The amount of animal-source food that can be obtained from leftovers, however, depends on their type and availability (e.g. by-products food industry, food waste, crop residues, grass from marginal land), and their utilization potential by animals. A circular food system, therefore, also affects our consumption pattern. We will discuss strategies to improve the use of leftovers by animals, such as using fungi to improve the digestibility of straw, the use of insects as livestock feed, or a potential to re-introduce animal meal or food-waste as livestock feed. We will also discuss e.g. the important role of animal and human excreta to fertilize crop land or produce bio-energy, the importance of nose-to-tail eating, the potential to improve both animal welfare and the environment, and the value of precision livestock farming. We will discuss socio-economic incentives/changes needed to realize a transition towards a circular food system.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain the differences among the three narrative existing in the debate around the role of animal in future food systems, and understand underlying arguments;
- understand how we can reduce the environmental impact of producing animal-source food;
- understand how we can reduce the environmental impact of our diets related to the consumption of animal-source food;
- being able to argue what role animal source food can have in sustainable diets.

Activities:

The course starts with some introductory lectures on possible roles of livestock in future food systems across the world, the impact of livestock on the environment, and the complexity of the food system. During these lectures, we will evaluate and discuss several videos about societal debates about the role of livestock in future food systems (should we become vegan?, How to fulfil future demands?).Furthermore, students have the possibility to make tests on blackboard to test their knowledge related to the study material and hand-outs of lectures. Last, the course contains an excursion to Kipster and Nijssen/Granico and ends with a debate.

Examination:

The final grade will be based on a written exam.

Literature:

Study guide, scientific literature, blackboard tests, and hand-outs of the lectures.