Nutreco secures grant to develop on-farm nitrogen reduction solutions

NETHERLANDS – Nutreco, a leading animal nutrition company, has received a grant from the Dutch OPZuid programme to develop innovative on-farm solutions to reduce nitrogen emissions. 

The project, a collaboration between Nutreco’s livestock feed business Trouw Nutrition and Nutrivice B.V., will primarily focus on the Netherlands’ environmentally demanding dairy sector while providing valuable insights for dairy and beef farmers worldwide.

As one of the world’s leading animal nutrition companies, Nutreco is leveraging its expertise to address the challenges of nitrogen emissions in the Dutch agricultural sector. 

The project, officially titled “Realising the Maximal Reduction of Nitrogen Emissions Achievable Through Dietary Means within the Dairy Herd of Noord-Brabant,” has been awarded funding under OPZuid, a programme supporting innovation in the southern Dutch provinces of Noord-Brabant, Limburg, and Zeeland, with backing from EU funding. The project will run for four years.

The Netherlands has one of the highest concentrations of nitrogen emissions globally, with 45% attributed to agriculture. Noord-Brabant, home to the country’s densest livestock populations, serves as a critical testing ground for the initiative.

Within the project consortium, Nutreco provides research and development expertise through Trouw Nutrition R&D, while Nutrivice B.V. acts as a key link to dairy farmers. 

Trouw Nutrition has long focused on nitrogen efficiency, recognising its role in improving farm profitability, land use, and sustainability—both in Europe and in key dairy-producing regions such as Brazil, India, and North America.

To ensure broader applicability, the project will collaborate with leading research institutions, including the University of California Davis (USA), the Federal University of Lavras (Brazil), and Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands). 

By refining solutions in the Netherlands, the project aims to develop best practices that can be adapted to diverse farming systems worldwide.

“The Dutch grant from OPZuid enables us to create solutions tailored to the Netherlands’ strict environmental regulations, positioning us ahead of future challenges globally,” said Dr. Javier Martín-Tereso, Manager of Ruminant Research at Trouw Nutrition.

A core objective of the initiative is to develop a toolbox of dietary strategies that can reduce nitrogen emissions by 10% to 20% compared to current nutritional practices. 

These strategies aim to improve protein conversion efficiency in dairy cows, leading to lower nitrogen excretion without compromising milk production. By optimizing feed efficiency, farmers can maintain or increase milk yields without expanding herd sizes, using existing resources better.

The project bridges the gap between scientific research and practical application, generating evidence directly from commercial dairy farms. 

“By involving dairy farmers from the start, we not only improve efficiency and profitability but also promote the adoption of innovative dietary strategies,” said Peter van Dooren, Managing Consultant and Founder of Nutrivice B.V.

Commitment to sustainable agriculture

Nutreco emphasises that sustainability is central to its mission. “At Nutreco, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Addressing nitrogen emissions aligns with our purpose of ‘Feeding the Future’ by enhancing ruminant efficiency and driving progress toward more sustainable farming practices,” the company stated.

Reducing nitrogen emissions is crucial for mitigating agriculture’s environmental impact, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring long-term farm viability. 

By improving nitrogen efficiency, dairy farmers can remain operational while complying with environmental regulations, avoiding herd reductions or forced buyouts. 

Additionally, optimising nutrition supports animal welfare by enhancing cattle health and well-being.

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