1. PEGaSus Phosphorus efficiency in Gallus gallus and Sus scrofa – Bridging the gaps in the phosphorus value chain
John McKillen

2. Project description: Trace the fate of phosphorus (P) in the agricultural cycle
Consistent and efficient usage of P in animal husbandry
Economic potential of new agricultural strategies and their political feasibility

3. Circular agro-ecosystems: First results
Moderate genetic contribution on mineral homeostasis
Bio-economic working model set up for pig and poultry farms
Common EU governance for sustainable P use is still lacking
Sustainability 2018, 10, 1825

4. Contribution to SusAn research objectives
Make prudent use of natural resources
Make more efficient utilisation of feed
Minimise emissions to soils
To protect biodiversity
Improve competitiveness and provide livelihoods in the industry

5. Contribution to SusAn research objectives
Balancing the P cycle
Sustainable solutions to secure sufficient P supply
Alternative dietary regimen
Local alternative P sources
Economic and environmental evaluation of the impact of alternative strategies using a bio-economic model
Technical, governance and policy strategies
Understanding the genetic contributions

6. Research impact on the 3 pillars of sustainability
Area 1 - Economy
Reduce mineral P imports
Bio-economic modelling
Area 2 - Environment
Reduce P emissions
Optimizing dietary regimen
Evaluation of local feeding plants towards closed nutrient cycles
Assessment of reuse options to save resources
Area 3 – Society
Social acceptability
Highest standard of animal health and welfare
Good practice in agricultural production systems

7. Transnational collaboration: benefits for broad implementation of results
Innovative feeding and policy strategies - local, regional, national, EU relevance
Data is available from partners for a broader understanding of baseline and regional differences
Bio-economic models consider local/regional requirements
Manure application [kg P/ha/agricultural area]
(Grizetti and Bouraoui 2006)

8. Multi actor approach: strategy to involve relevant stakeholders
Combined disciplines
EU policies and regulations
Animal research (scientists, practitioners, nutrition companies, start-up companies)
Ecology (feed and growth cycles, manure management, farm- based environmental management, local and regional nutrient loads)
Economics (bio-economic model, scenarios & innovative policy reforms)
Member of the European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform
Workshop dedicated to stakeholders
Priority questions based on stakeholder needs

9. Multi actor approach: P is being tracked through the whole added value chain
Encompassing various supply and demand compartments (feed optimization, P re-use and manure management)

10. Cross-scale approach: targeting the farm, regional, national and European levels
1. Farm/local
Bio-economic model started with the farm level
Animal trials dealing with alternative P management strategies
Strong local aspect of feeding plants, ecosystems (surplus, runoff), agri-food production practices
2. Scale up to sub-regional and regional levels
Accounting for the pigs/poultry density (including an assessment of the impact of P strategies)
Sub-regional and regional results will be cross-checked with hydrological data to obtain a clear picture of the P load saved by alternative strategies

11. Cross-scale approach: knowledge acquisition to replace inorganic P supplements
3. EU level
Evaluation of the effectiveness of policy instruments to reduce the P load
Identification of those EU regions that benefit most from potential P management strategies

12. Dissemination and communication strategy
Enhancing dissemination through membership in associations dedicated to R&D
European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP)
Leibniz ScienceCampus Phosphorus Research Rostock
Multidisciplinary peer-reviewed papers and scientific conferences and workshops
An indexed website (
Fact sheet in 5 languages
Press releases, radio broadcasts

13. Dissemination and communication strategy
Two Open Access publications are currently available, others will be published in the near future (i.e. joint manuscripts from the fields of biology, social sciences, economy)

14. Work packages WP1 – On farm P management
Dietary intervention studies + agro-environment
WP2 – Animal intrinsic factor of P efficiency
Genetics and microbiota
WP3 – Improved efficiencies in the agriculture production chain
Policy, economic and technical aspects

15. Interim Results In a joint manuscript strategies highlighted
(i) to increase bioavailability, digestibility & efficiency of plant P in mono-gastric animals,
(ii) to reduce P losses and emissions from pig & chicken husbandry, and
(iii) to minimize P runoff from soil and enrichment in aquatic systems.
2. The genetics of hematological traits related to the calcium and P-balance have been investigated in a German Landrace pig population.
The phenotypical variation might rely on genomic regions and gene variants which have been elucidated via targeted and holistic approaches.
3. A bio-economic model for pig and poultry farms has been developed and calibrated
The model will be applied to assess and compare the economic viability and the environmental performances of alternative feeding strategies targeted to increase P-efficiency and potential government measures.
4. Alternative feeding trials with use of phytase dosing have been carried out
Data is being collated
Manure has been collected for plant soil studies

16. Thank you
Thanks to all the PEGaSus team