Utilization of local feed resources by dairy cattle : perspectives of environmentally balanced production systems : symposium proceedings Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS) Wageningen, the Netherlands

Although animal production has developed so successfully that it resembles an industrial production sector, this technological and economic success also has its negative consequences. The challenge is to find the right balance between animal production and the carrying capacity of the environment. This text is the result of animal physiologists, nutritionists and animal breeders focusing on opportunities and constraints which arise for dairy farming as a result of using higher proportions of locally produced feed resources in the diet and more effective re-utilization of nutrients excreted in manure. This work should be of value to all researchers, policy-makers, students and others interested in the future prospects for environmentally-balanced dairy production systems.