Mitigating GHG through higher efficiency by feeding sheep according to their nutritional requirements, with a low-input production system

This practice abstract presents a feeding strategy for sheep based on matching nutrient supply to the animals' production requirements.

In Romanian sheep production systems, underfeeding and inadequate diet formulation often result in low feed efficiency and higher greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk produced. To address this challenge, diet typologies adapted to local feeds, climatic conditions and production systems were developed and promoted through user-friendly advisory tools.

The approach helps farmers compare nutrient supply with animal requirements and production potential. Results indicate that even partial supplementation with cereals or protein concentrates can significantly increase productivity, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of milk by more than 15-20% in low-input systems.