By reducing the amount of albuminoid in pigs’ feed and replacing it with a balanced content of pure amino acids, the Swedish scientist Dr.agr. Leif Göransson has succeeded in bringing down the nitrogen surplus that is present in pig production.

This research has lead to today where Leif Göransson, who is employed by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Lantmännen AsFaktor AB, receives Bayer CropScience’s annual Innovation Award.

Leif Göransson has obtained several advantages by changing the feed composition for both fatteners and piglets. In addition to reducing the nitrogen emission from manure and urine compared to traditional feeding, the amount of ammonia in the stall air has been reduced. ´

Healthier pigs

Practical farming has been significantly influenced by Leif Göransson’s research. It has lead to a new fattener feed that goes under the name of Den Nya Tidens Foder (Feed of the New Times).

The state of health of the pigs is significantly improved when fed with Den Nya Tidens Foder. For instance, the pigs have less gastrointestinal problems with the new composition of the feed compared to traditional feed, resulting in healthier pigs that are less dispositioned to diseases.

New feed means more winners

In addition to the improved health of the pigs, the new feed also benefits the environment and those persons working in the pig stalls because the ammonia concentration in the stall air has been lessened. At the same time, the amount of nitrogen emissions left into the environment has been cut down. Another advantage is an increased amount of locally grown raw material in the feed.

Bayer supports sustainable agriculture

Ernst v. Franck, Head of Bayer CropScience in the Nordics, explains the initiative behind the Innovation Award:: - "Bayer CropScience has made a commitment to promote sustainable agriculture on a global scale. We, in the Nordic countries, have therefore chosen to present an annual Innovation Award in support of initiatives which promote the production of healthy foods under sustainable conditions.

This year’s Swedish recipient of the Bayer CropScience Innovation Award has contributed substantially to promote a sustainable production of foods”, Ernst v. Franck maintains.

Leif Göransson shares the Bayer CropScience Innovation Award 2008 of Euro 10.000 with a
Danish research project on vitamin B12. The Award ceremony for the Swedish project will take place today at the Turning Torso in Malmö. Klas Hesselman, CEO of SIK (Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology) will introduce the project and Ann-Britt Karlsson, Chairman of Hushållningssällskapet in Skåne, will present the Innovation Award.

Contact person:

Gitte Finnich Pedersen, Head of Corporate Communications Bayer Norden
Phone: + 45 45 23 50 00
E-mail: gitte.finnichpedersen.gf@bayer.dk  

More information at: www.bayer.se