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Beyond ruminants: discussing opportunities for alternative pasture uses in New Zealand
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2019-10-28
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Lucci, G. M., Henchion, M. M., Lange, L., Ledgard, S. F., Collie, S. R., Cosgrove, G. P., Meyer, A. S., Graichen, F. H. M., Barth, S., Lenehan, J. J. Beyond ruminants: discussing opportunities for alternative pasture uses in New Zealand. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands. Vol 81 (2019). https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2019.81.401
Abstract
The New Zealand government has set ambitious goals
for primary sector growth and of zero net carbon
emissions by 2050. This presents an opportunity and
obligation to develop new ideas for grassland production
systems to increase export value and generate new job
opportunities, while reducing environmental impacts.
The aim of this paper is to draw on recent research
in Europe to investigate some of the alternative and
complementary uses for pasture as a feedstock for a
green biorefinery. A biorefinery is a facility, or a series
of processes, that convert biomass into a spectrum
of value-added products. For example, protein can
be extracted mechanically from green biomass once
harvested. The residual fibre fraction could be used
as a low-nitrogen feed for ruminants to reduce urinary
nitrogen, while the liquid protein fraction could be
processed to make it suitable for mono-gastric or human
consumption. Enzymes can promote protein extraction
and controlled conversion of insoluble plant fibres
and oligosaccharides to foster gut-health promoting
prebiotic food ingredients. Anaerobic digestion of
residues can then be used to create energy and soilimproving
products. Research and demonstration of
these approaches in practice, along with the results of
feasibility studies, will be required to see which of these
opportunities is a good fit for New Zealand pasture
systems.