PERSPECTIVE ANNUAL REPORT 2020 DCA DANISH CENTRE FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE Food and agricultural sciences Research-based policy support Knowledge exchange and industrial collaboration National and international research alliances PERSPECTIVE ANNUAL REPORT 2020 DCA DANISH CENTRE FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE Food and agricultural sciences Research-based policy support Knowledge exchange and industrial collaboration National and international research alliances 2 PERSPECTIVE Publisher DCA Danish Centre for Food and Agriculture Aarhus Universitet Blichers Allé 20 DK-8830 Tjele Tel.: +45 8715 6000 E-mail: dca@au.dk Web: dca.au.dk/en Photographers 20 20 Lars Kruse, AU Photo Anders Trærup Jesper Rais Colourbox Søren Kjeldgaard Henning Carlo Thomsen Janne 3 4 Intro Page 4-7 Editorial Page 8-9 Research-based policy support Page 10-13 International collaboration 14 PlantProduction Page 15 News in brief Page 16-18 Plants and climate Page 19-21 Circular bioeconomy Page 22-23 Nutrients Page 24-25 Biodiversity Page 26-27 Soil Page 28 4 PERSPECTIVE Targeted research and policy advice provides opportunities for a green transition in agriculture and food production Denmark has an extensive and strong food sector, which through the years has developed innovative methods for the production of foods. In recent years, we have witne 5 cultivation of soya results in clearcutting of rainforests and natural areas. At Aarhus University (AU), comprehensive research and innovation efforts have demonstrated how to produce high-quality protein (similar to soya) by biorefining of grass. Such a protein production possesses a huge potent 6 PERSPECTIVE Roadmap for Research Based on political aims, the Ministry of Environment of Denmark and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark have prepared a Roadmap for research for the coming decade. This roadmap focuses on green transitions and, among other issues, the goals 7 population growth will result in a soaring global demand for foods, animal foods in particular. This means that the impact on natural resources will increase unless we develop production methods that are much more friendly to the climate and the environment. At the same time, climate changes and 8 PERSPECTIVE Researchbased policy support One of a universitys core tasks is to provide research and ensure communication of new knowledge. This is accomplished by publication and dissemination of research results, student education and researchbased policy support to authorities. 9 Aarhus University (AU) has entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Environment of Denmark (MIM) and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark (MFLF) on the provision of research-based policy support in areas relating to crop production, livestock production and food quality 10 PERSPECTIVE International collaboration Researchers from the DCA focus areas often participate in international collaboration. Activities accomplished in 2020 are presented in the following. EJP SOIL: New European research collaboration on sustainable and climate-smart agricultural soil manage 11 Participation in partnerships and working groups As agreed with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark (MFLF), DCA participates in several international collaborations. Among others, these include: European Innovation Partnership on Agricultural Sustainability and Productivi 12 PERSPECTIVE Green biorefining in a European perspective In November, CBIO - Aarhus University Centre for Circular Bioeconomy held a webinar on green biorefining for European politicians. The European Commission has launched the European Green Deal, which aims to ensure that the EU will be clima 13 - We need new and innovative solutions if we are to meet the visions presented in the Green Deal, says Senior Researcher Uffe Jørgensen, Head of CBIO. He further points out that green biorefining supplying, among other things, highquality protein from grass has the potential of becoming an impo 14 PERSPECTIVE Plant production The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark (MFLF) and Aarhus University (AU) have entered into an agreement on the provision of research-based policy support within plant production. The agreement is one of 6 performance agreements under the framewor 15 News in brief New Section Manager for Climate and Water Citizens Council on green transition As part of the Danish governments new climate legislation, a Citizens Council is to be set up with 99 randomly selected Danish citizens. The purpose of the Council is to debate relevant dilemmas and sol 16 PERSPECTIVE Drones will reduce agricultural CO2 emissions The Department of Agroecology develops methods and technology for mapping and analysing peatlands - a major source of CO2 emissions in agriculture. The national target of reducing CO2 emissions by 70 % by 2030 in Denmark is hardly news 17 Plant genomes reveal the basis for climate adaptation In the face of rapid climate change, it is important that plants can survive by adapting quickly to new conditions to ensure their survival. Researchers from Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG), among others, have thus studied 18 PERSPECTIVE New research in organic farming Significant differences in greenhouse gas balances in organic cultivation systems The impact of agriculture on the climate and the environment has helped strengthen the popularity of organic produce. The impact of organic farming on nitrate leaching a Great opportunities for Denmark to secure selfsufficiency in protein Grass protein can replace imported soy protein in compound feed for livestock. A complete transition will require an optimization of grass cultivation and the extraction technology applied. Every year, Denmark imports between 1.5 20 PERSPECTIVE Analysis of climate and environmental effects of biogas production What should future biogas production look like in order to be as sustainable as possible? At the request of the Danish Energy Agency, researchers from the Department of Agroecology and the Department of Engineering 21 From Danish hemp fields to sustainable textiles A new project, supported by Innovation Fund Denmark, aims to develop a method that will make hemp textiles a sustainable alternative to cotton. Hemp is a very sustainable plant; it may be grown almost anywhere, it has a very low demand for manure 22 PERSPECTIVE New research in nutrients Aarhus University research efforts in nutrients provide new knowledge contributing to increased yields and utilization of nutrients as well as to help reduce the environmental impact and agricultural emissions. A closer look at cover crops release of nitro 23 Biochar as a source of phosphorus Pyrolysis is not only a source of sustainable and climate-friendly energy, but the residual product from pyrolysis, known as biochar, can in addition to carbon binding also act as phosphorus fertilizer in agricultural fields. Biochar is the new black its deg 24 PERSPECTIVE 60 million DKK to future-proof biodiversity SustainScapes is a new 6-year-old centre that will work with solutions as to how biodiversity can be future-proofed in a changing climate and in a world with an ever-increasing need for resources. How is it possible to rethink the agricu 25 Natural enemies of pests and biodiversity in organic farming Windbreaks, hedges, nature strips, buffer strips, flower strips and beetle areas are just some of the initiatives to make life difficult for the pests and at the same time help increase biodiversity in organic farms. Researchers from 26 PERSPECTIVE Climate and environmental impact of Conservation Agriculture A new report gathers available knowledge on Conservation Agriculture and provides a survey of climate and environmental effects, weaknesses and challenges as well as how cropping systems may increase the sustainability in 27 Predicting functional properties in soil layers Carbon is still active after 20 years in the soil Using new analytical methods, a PhD student from Department of Agroecology has made it easier to assess the risk that spraying a specific piece of land with pesticides will lead to contamination o 28 PERSPECTIVE Anti-resistance strategies are important in the fight against Septoria Researchers from Aarhus University have found a pattern in the spread of fungicide resistance in Septoria in winter wheat. Septoria is the most prevalent fungal disease in wheat in Northern Europe, and it causes 29 Later sowing can help control herbicide resistant weeds Resistance to herbicides in weeds may be at the expense of other plant properties, and may provide ideas for alternative control methods. Ill weeds grow apace, as they say, and weeds do not perish easily, because plants have the ability to 30 PERSPECTIVE Animal production The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark and Aarhus University (AU) have entered into an agreement on the provision of research-based policy support within animal production. The agreement is one of 6 performance agreements under the framework agr 31 News in brief Dairy cows fed a low-energy diet around dry-off show signs of hunger Cows favour natural over synthetic vitamin E for the cow milk Researchers from AU have studied the extent to which the feed energy density affects dairy cows feeding motivation during dry-off. A motivational tes 32 PERSPECTIVE about 750 litres methane per day, corresponding to a loss of approx. 6 % of the feeds gross energy content. What happens to hydrogen and carbon when the production of methane from cattle is reduced? Methane consists of carbon and hydrogen, and the production of methane in the rumen 33 Sows utilize clover grass surprisingly well An organic sow walks 2-3 kilometres a day and digests grass as well as a cow. These are some of the results from the EFFORT project, accomplished at Department of Animal Science at Aarhus University. New research results from the EFFORT project demonst 34 PERSPECTIVE New unique cattle research centre at AU Foulum The new Danish Cattle Research Centre is now a reality. It is an impressive barn complex equipped with brand new and unique state-of-the-art research facilities. Three new cattle barns have been built, the forage barn has been expanded, 35 Hoof trimming late in gestation increases the risk of abortion A study from Aarhus University, based on a large data set from the Danish Cattle Database, demonstrates that hoof trimming late in gestation increases the risk of abortion in dairy cows. Researchers from Aarhus University and Univers 36 PERSPECTIVE Why do sows die in the farrowing house? Most sows dying spontaneously die in the farrowing house. A DCA report from Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, shows that the predominant cause of death is torsion of the liver, followed by farrowing problems and infections. In 2 37 A new vaccine against piglet diarrhoea is on its way Aarhus University takes part in a new and ground-breaking project to develop an effective vaccine against weaning diarrhoea in piglets. If the development of the vaccine goes like the researchers hope it will, we might prevent 90 % of the mort 38 PERSPECTIVE Culling of mink at AU Foulum Due to the COVID-19 situation, all mink at AU Foulums experimental farm were destroyed in 2020. The political decision to destroy all mink in Denmark had major consequences for fur animal research at Aarhus Universitys research centre in Foulum. Just lik 39 Fear testing in foals may contribute to higher safety in equestrian sports A new study at Aarhus University shows that it is possible to identify fearful horses at a very early age by means of an objective fear test. This provides a better opportunity of ensuring that especially sensitive horses 40 PERSPECTIVE Hatching broilers on-farm rather than in hatcheries increases animal welfare A new study from the Department of Animal Science at Aarhus University shows that hatching broilers on-farm rather than in hatcheries has a number of benefits: The chicks rest more, eat more feed, have a hi 41 New research project on ceiling height in trucks transporting pigs Reflections on domestic animals We love some domestic animals more than life itself, and others may be our favorite food. In a new publication in the Reflections series, Anthropologist Inger Anneberg, Department of Animal Scienc 42 PERSPECTIVE Food quality and consumer behaviour The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark (FVM) and Aarhus University (AU) have entered into an agreement on the provision of research-based policy support within food quality and consumer behaviour. The agreement is one of six p 43 News in brief Researcher receives Young Scientist Research Award In October, Mario M. Martinez from the Department of Food Science received the prestigious Young Scientist Research Award from the Cereals & Grains Association for his outstanding work on food carbohydrate polymers that can be used 44 PERSPECTIVE Corona-related research Eating habits during the corona crisis In many ways, the corona crisis has changed the way we live, but how has it changed the way we eat and shop? Researchers from ten European countries have taken a closer look at this within the framework of an EIT Food pr 45 How does COVID-19 affect our appetite? Researchers from the Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, are investigating how people affected by COVID-19 experience changes in appetite, sense of taste and smell as well as in the pleasure related to food intake. This is part of a new EIT Food- 46 PERSPECTIVE Sustainable packaging in focus Aarhus University carries out research in packaging solutions that can reduce food waste and contribute to a sustainable development in the food industry. How do consumers respond to sustainable packaging? In collaboration with the company KLS Purepri 47 Mapping food waste in the service sector Some food waste is unavoidable - and some is avoidable because it might have ended up on a plate. In the Danish service sector, the proportion of avoidable food waste is bigger than unavoidable food waste. Throughout 2018, the Danish service sector, incl 48 PERSPECTIVE Healthier and more sustainable eating habits Research in food and consumer behavior at Aarhus University creates knowledge that can help guide our eating habits in a healthier and more sustainable direction. Sustainability is difficult in practice Can we get used to eating less su 49 Can sugar-reduced products be just as sweet? It is essential that we reduce sugar consumption, but how can the industry create sugar-reduced food products without compromising on the sweet taste? It is often argued that the consumption of sweet foods is one of the major contributors to the curr 50 PERSPECTIVE Does our meat intake increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases? Researchers from the Department of Food Science have come a step closer to understanding the connection between our meat intake and the possible risk of cardiovascular diseases. The intake of red and processed meat 51 What is the composition of breast milk? The milk that mothers produce during the first three days after birth is significantly different from the milk produced four months later. As a mother, you targetedly produce nutrients for your child and the childs intestinal bacteria. Researchers from the 52 PERSPECTIVE Will the food ingredients of the future be plant-based? New research demonstrates that it is possible to use chickpea water in foods where we would typically use egg white. What do aquafaba water and egg white have in common? Researchers from the Department of Food Science and the 53 New Nordic network for cultivated meat The Department of Food Science has initiated a new network that will accelerate the development of alternative meat based on Nordic ingredients. A new network for cultured meat has been established at an initiative from the Department of Food Science. The Information on DCA Research DCA reports DCA newsletter DCA publishes a series of reports that mainly communicates research-based policy support from DCA to the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark. Reports may also gather and communicate knowledge procured from research activities. The re