The Blanc Bleu Vert (BBV) project aims to increase the sustainability of the Blanc Bleu Belge (BBB) breeding sector by reconciling zootechnical performance with environmental conservation. The challenge is to reduce the carbon footprint of beef production while maintaining meat quality.
To achieve this objective, various trials have been set up by Proxani, Inovéo, ULiège and CRA-W. These trials measure both zootechnical performances (average daily gain, feed intake capacity, etc.) and greenhouse gas emissions from cattle, particularly methane emissions.
One of the objectives of this project is to adapt the DECiDE tool (https://www.decide.cra.wallonie.be/), developed by CRA-W, based on the trial results.
As a result, the tool now takes better account of the specific features of the BBB, the list of feeds purchased for livestock has been enhanced and the breed's specific zootechnical references have been updated. Results are now displayed to show the BBB's performance in terms of carcass and meat cutting yields. Results, initially expressed only per kilogram of live weight sold, are now also expressed per kilogram of meat sold.
Lastly, equations for modelling methane reduction practices - through the use of feed additives or fat supplementation - will soon be integrated into the tool. All these improvements will be validated on a large scale through Elevéo's monitoring of a panel of farms, to assess the impact of feed on the farm's environmental balance sheet, and to guarantee the relevance and reliability of the recommendations for the entire sector.
Financing: Project subsidised by Wagralim, convention n°8616
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