Connecting agricultural research, feed innovation, and financing to support more sustainable cattle farming in Vietnam.

What started as a question about cattle feed led me to a much bigger challenge: how can smallholder farmers adopt better practices when time, resources, and access to financing are limited?

Through field observations in Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh, I began exploring cattle farming as an interconnected system - not just a question of animal nutrition, but one involving labor, agricultural byproducts, production costs, environmental impact, and farmers’ access to resources.

My work has brought together research into Vietnam’s cattle-farming practices, life-cycle assessment, and U.S. cattle nutrition standards. One area I have been developing is a compressed Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feed model, designed to make formulated feed easier to store, transport, and use.

Beyond the feed itself, I have also explored how supply-chain financing could connect farmers, feed suppliers, cattle buyers, and banks - helping address the financial barriers that can prevent smallholder farmers from adopting improved practices.

The question I continue to explore is not simply how to improve cattle farming, but how to make better practices practical and accessible to the people who need them most.

Explore the Project

• Watch the Project Film - A field-based introduction to the problem, the research, and the idea behind the project.

• View the Pitch Deck - A closer look at the proposed model, its components, and its potential impact.