NOVUS will honor an outstanding researcher during the 75th European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) Annual Meeting in September.
The EAAP Young Scientists Award is presented to researchers born after September 1, 1986 “who have demonstrated outstanding research performance with the European dimension and perspective.” NOVUS representatives will present the award to Markos Managos, DVM, a doctoral student in the Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare at the Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU). NOVUS dairy experts were especially impressed by his research titled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Cows Fed Best Practice Diets,” which Managos presented at EAAP in 2023.
Managos’ field of study provides valuable insights into reducing the environmental impact of dairy production. He says dairy ration formulation is crucial for animal productivity and farm economics, but the environmental footprint of feed ingredients must also be considered.
“By selecting feed ingredients with a lower environmental impact that complement human food production, we can reduce the overall environmental footprint at the farm level. This approach offers the agricultural industry a significant opportunity to mitigate its environmental impact with the available resources,” he says.
Managos attributes his career in agriculture to a fascination with how effective management practices and balanced animal nutrition impact animal health and the production of high-quality, safe food.
“During my master’s program studies I became increasingly aware of the challenges and country-specific/cultural differences in producing food sustainably,” he says. “Improving the sustainability of dairy production is a continually evolving goal. Ruminants play a crucial role in our food system, providing both food and ecosystem services, but they also emit greenhouse gases, similar to all other human activities. Balancing these conflicting objectives is a compelling aspect of my field of study.”
Edwin Westreicher, Dr. sc. agr., technical services manager with NOVUS says Managos is a great example of the passion, knowledge, and inquisitiveness needed to help animals meet their growth potential while maintaining a mindfulness for the system’s impact on natural resources.
“We’re honored to present this award to Markos who, in many ways, exemplifies NOVUS’ vision and mission – using scientific research to help animals reach their full potential,” Westreicher says. “It’s imperative that we as an industry support and encourage new perspectives in those who are already making an impact in their young careers. They are, after all, who aid in the sustainability of animal agriculture.”
EAAP will be held 1-5 September 2024 in Florence, Italy. Visit the NOVUS booth, stand 8 at Plaazzo Dei Congressi, during the meeting to speak with our European dairy experts about protein efficiency and environmentally conscious feeding methods.
Learn more at eaap2024.org and novusint.com.
