Innovative Solutions in Animal Nutrition to Enhance the Sustainability of the Zootechnical Production System

The livestock sector remains fundamental to global food security and the economy, yet faces increasing scrutiny due to its environmental footprint - particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption. Intensified production systems have also raised critical issues, including the widespread use of antibiotics, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and overdependence on finite feed resources and arable land.

Addressing these challenges requires a paradigm shift towards sustainable nutrition strategies that enhance production efficiency, reduce emissions, and support circular economy principles. Recent innovations - such as precision nutrition, probiotics, phytogenic feed additives, and novel protein sources (insects, microalgae, single-cell proteins) - have demonstrated significant potential to increase the sustainability and resilience of animal production.

This Research Topic invites cutting-edge contributions focused on sustainable feed strategies that balance animal performance, health, and welfare with reduced environmental impacts and enhanced economic viability for producers. Key areas of interest include:

• Development and evaluation of novel feed ingredients and innovative additives (e.g., probiotics, phytogenics, functional compounds);
• Valorization of agro-industrial by-products and their integration into livestock diets;
• Alternative protein sources and circular feedstuffs to reduce reliance on conventional arable resources;
• Implementation of precision nutrition and management tools to optimize resource efficiency;
• Nutritional interventions that reduce antibiotic dependence and promote gut health;
• Life cycle assessments and economic analyses of sustainable feeding strategies.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and meta-analyses addressing these themes across all major livestock sectors, including cattle, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture. Multidisciplinary approaches - spanning veterinary science, animal nutrition, microbiology, omics technologies, biotechnology, and environmental science - are especially encouraged. Our goal is to showcase innovative solutions that pave the way for a more resilient, sustainable, and responsible future for animal agriculture.

Keywords: ghg emissions, circular economy, antimicrobial resistance, by-products, functional nutrition, feed additives, gut health, rumen modulation, one health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.