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Origin, quantities and fate of nitrogen flows associated with animal production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 September 2014

L. Delaby*
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1348, PEGASE F-35590 Saint-Gilles, France
J.-Y. Dourmad
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1348, PEGASE F-35590 Saint-Gilles, France
F. Béline
Affiliation:
IRTEA Research Init GERE, F-35044 Rennes, France
P. Lescoat
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 0083, URA F-37380 Nouzilly, France
P. Faverdin
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1348, PEGASE F-35590 Saint-Gilles, France
J.-L. Fiorelli
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 0055, ASTER F-88500, France
F. Vertès
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1069, SAS F-35042 Rennes Cedex, France
P. Veysset
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1213, URH F-63122 St Genest-Champanelle, France
T. Morvan
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1069, SAS F-35042 Rennes Cedex, France
V. Parnaudeau
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1069, SAS F-35042 Rennes Cedex, France
P. Durand
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1069, SAS F-35042 Rennes Cedex, France
P. Rochette
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agro-Food Industry, Quebec city, G1V 2J3, Canada
J.-L. Peyraud
Affiliation:
INRA, Research Unit 1348, PEGASE F-35590 Saint-Gilles, France
*
E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The nitrogen efficiency is the ratio between the output of nitrogen in the animal products and the input required for the livestock production. This ratio is a driver of the economic profitability and can be calculated at various levels of the production system: animal, field or farm. Calculated at the scale of the animal, it is generally low with less than half-ingested nitrogen remaining in the milk, the eggs or the meat in the form of proteins; the major part of the nitrogen being rejected in the environment. Significant gains were achieved in the past via the genetic improvement and the adjustment of feed supply. At the farm level, the efficiency increases to 45% to 50%, thanks to the recycling of animal excreta as fertilisers. From excretion to land application of manure, the losses of nitrogen are very variable depending on the animal species and the manure management system. Considering the risks of pollution swapping, all management and handling steps need to be considered. Collective initiatives or local rules on agricultural practices allow new opportunities to restore nitrogen balances on local territory.

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Full Paper
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2014 

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