Unconventional Feed Resources: Impact on Animal Productivity, Health, and the Environment

Conventional livestock feeding systems rely heavily on a limited number of feed resources, such as cereals and soybean meal, the availability and prices of which are increasingly affected by climate change, competition with human food, land scarcity, and global market volatility. These challenges have intensified the search for unconventional feed resources capable of sustaining animal productivity while improving the economic resilience and environmental sustainability of livestock systems.Unconventional feeds, including agro-industrial by-products, halophytes, forage shrubs, insects, food waste-derived feeds, medicinal and aromatic plants, and locally adapted alternative grains and legumes, often contain valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds. These feeds can provide proteins, fibers, lipids, minerals, secondary metabolites, and functional compounds that may positively influence animal performance, health status, product quality, and rumen or gut functionality.Beyond their nutritional value, unconventional feed resources are increasingly being explored for their potential to:• Improve feed efficiency and nutrient utilization• Enhance animal health and immune function, reducing reliance on antimicrobials• Modulate rumen and gut microbiota to optimize digestion• Mitigate environmental impacts, particularly methane emissions and nitrogen losses• Promote circular bioeconomy by valorizing local and underutilized resourcesDespite growing research interest, the effects of unconventional feed resources remain highly variable. Their chemical composition often displays strong heterogeneity and is influenced by origin, processing methods, inclusion level, and feeding duration, making it challenging to predict their biological responses in animals. Moreover, knowledge gaps still exist regarding their long-term effects, optimal inclusion strategies, safety, and mechanisms of action.This Research Topic aims to gather original research articles, reviews, and meta-analyses that deepen our understanding of how unconventional feed resources affect livestock systems. Contributions addressing the following themes are encouraged:• Animal growth performance, reproduction, and efficiency• Health, immune response, and oxidative status• Product quality and composition (milk, meat, eggs)• Rumen and gut microbiome dynamics• Environmental outcomes, including greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient excretion Topic editors: Soumaya Boukrouh, Serkan Ates, Ioanna Poulopoulou Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76472/unconventional-feed-resources-impact-on-animal-productivity-health-and-the-environment