RIKILT – Institute for Food Safety, part of Wageningen UR, recently launched the research project “Naturally healthy”, a study into keeping organic livestock naturally healthy.

Relatively little is known about the application and effects of using natural products rather than agricultural additives and veterinary medicines tot keep animals healthy. Organic livestock farmers therefore need practical information about how they can keep their animals healthy using plant-based products and other natural products. Often they are unsure how to apply these products properly. Within the project “Naturally healthy”, researchers will look for resources to support the farmers.
Organic livestock farmers have many questions related to animal health. How can plant-based products increase animal’s resistance tot disease? I stopped using antibiotics a year ago, but what should I do if one of my cows gets mastitis tomorrow? The aim of the study is to increase animal robustness and prevent disease.

In “Naturally healthy”, the researchers list the health problems in organic dairy, pig and poultry farming. In addition, they explore which natural products are available to livestock farmers and provide information about how they work. Livestock farmers also receive interactive training in using plant products as part of their whole farming strategy in order to maintain animal health.

As a research organisation, RIKILT shares responsibility for tracing the use of animal medication in livestock farming. Due to the increased use of animal medication such as antibiotics and the risks of developing resistance, ways of reducing the use of animal medication are being sought. This is the context for the project “Naturally Healthy”. The research group involves the Institute for Ethnobotanics and Zoopharmacognosy, the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Utrecht University, the Louis Bolk Institute, the Animal Sciences Group, Biologica and representatives from the farmers.

Note for the editors:
For information about this article, please contact Jeannette Leenders, jeannette.leenders@wur.nl.
RIKILT – Institute for Food Safety is part of Wageningen University & Research centre