# Intercropping could improve animal feed and reduce environmental impact

> A study by researchers from Nottingham Trent University, ICARDA and Jimma University found that rainfed, unfertilized oat-alfalfa intercropping performed best at a 1:1 ratio. It produced 21% more dry matter than oats grown alone and improved forage nutrition, soil properties and silage quality while reducing fermentation losses.

- Date: 2026-11-09 · published 2026-11-09T06:05:48.415Z
- Category: report · region Ethiopia · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/88724-intercropping-could-improve-animal-feed-and-reduce-environmental-impact
- Commodities: [Oats](https://feedsoft.ai/c/OATS.md)

## Why it matters

Higher-yielding, more nutritious forage could improve feed availability and quality for livestock while lowering reliance on inputs. The findings may support oat and alfalfa demand, though the study does not indicate an immediate commodity-price effect.

## Read by commodity

- OATS: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| OATS | 2022-11-01 | [Feed ingredient availability low, keeping prices high \| Feed Strategy](https://feedsoft.ai/events/38736-feed-ingredient-availability-low-keeping-prices-high-feed-strategy.md) | -1.0% | +0.8% |
| OATS | 2021-11-03 | [Raw Materials for Feed: OAT AND 2021 EXPECTATIONS - Feed & Additive Magazine](https://feedsoft.ai/events/44119-raw-materials-for-feed-oat-and-2021-expectations-feed-and-additive-magazine.md) | -5.8% | -6.6% |
| OATS | 2023-07-12 | [Oat price outlook improves - Dairy Producer](https://feedsoft.ai/events/35092-oat-price-outlook-improves-dairy-producer.md) | +4.0% | -1.0% |
| OATS | 2019-06-20 | [Few bright spots in winter crop outlook \| Meat & Livestock Australia](https://feedsoft.ai/events/58667-few-bright-spots-in-winter-crop-outlook-meat-and-livestock-australia.md) | -2.9% | -3.8% |
| OATS | 2023-05-16 | [Another large wheat crop expected in Canada](https://feedsoft.ai/events/35998-another-large-wheat-crop-expected-in-canada.md) | -7.7% | +10.6% |

## Sources

- farming.co.uk: https://www.farming.co.uk/news/intercropping-could-improve-animal-feed-and-reduce-environmental-impact

---
Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.