The net contribution of ruminant production to the protein supply for humans
Résumé
Total protein conversion efficiency of ruminant production systems is low (between 0.05 for meat and
0.25 for milk), but this calculation usually does not differentiate human-edible from human non-edible
feedstuffs (e.g. grass, by-products of food and biofuels industries). To evaluate the net contribution of
ruminant livestock to protein production for human consumption in France we estimated the humanedible
protein Fraction (hepF) of the diets and the net protein efficiency (human-edible protein
efficiency) from six contrasting feeding systems in dairy, beef cattle and sheep systems. The hepF values
of diets ranged from 3% (extensive sheep production) up to 26% (intensive dairy cattle production). The
net protein efficiency ranged from 0.34 (intensive sheep production) up to 2.57 for grass-based dairy
cattle production with low concentrate consumption. Each type of ruminant production can produce
more edible protein than they consume (net protein efficiency > 1). The use of grass and by-products are
the key factors to improve the net contribution of ruminant production to protein supply for humans.
Format : Poster
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