Feed Efficiency: A Key Production Trait and A Global Challenge

Abstract

Animal agriculture is facing substantial challenges from a steep projected increase in
global demand for high quality animal protein and the need to adapt to higher temperature due
to climate change. Indeed, with predictions that the world human population will increase to
between 9 and 10 billion, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates
that by 2050 there will be increased demand for meat and egg protein by 73% and dairy products
by 58% over 2011 levels.1 Meeting the expected growth in global demand for high quality
animal protein will be very strenuous, especially under environmental temperature constraints
due to climate change and increased feed cost.