Contact
Velik Margit, Dr

Velik Margit, Dr

Cattle fattening and product quality
Gumpenstein
Altirdning 11
8952 Irdning-Donnersbachtal
This email address is protected from spambots! You must enable JavaScript to view it.
+43 3682-22451-275
+43 3682-22451-210
Download information as: vCard

- Planning, coordination and execution of research projects in the field of alternative cattle farming and product quality

- Structure of the product quality area (meat, milk)

- Publication and dissemination of the findings

 

 

53rd Livestock Farming Conference: Professional exchange and new impulses in retrospect

On March 25th and 26th, 2026, the Institute for Livestock Research at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein hosted its annual livestock farming conference...

Suckler cow weaners – what determines performance and revenue - Podcast 166

New findings from several years of data collection at the Carinthian Chamber of Agriculture's suckler cow farm on the Ossiacher Tauern: What factors determine whether...

In-depth scientific analysis of new concepts for organic calves from dairy farms in quality cattle fattening (BioKalbPlus)

This project complements the ongoing EIP project “New concepts for organic calves from dairy farms for quality beef cattle fattening (BIO-FRESSERAU...

53rd Livestock Farming Conference 2026

The annual livestock farming conference will take place at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein on March 25th and 26th, 2025. In addition to current topics...

Three experimental results published in the journal "Zügenkunde" (Breeding Science).

In 2025, the Institute for Livestock Research, Department of Cattle Fattening and Product Quality, published two articles in the German journal Züchtungskun...

Effects of castration timing, crossbreeding with beef breeds, and feeding on animal performance and meat quality of fattening oxen

Austrian ox fattening is gaining increasing importance as a sustainable, grassland-based form of beef production (Vision 2028+, Kirner...).

Supervised and completed 2 master's theses

In 2025, two female master's students from BOKU University Vienna completed their master's thesis on cattle fattening trials conducted at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein...

12th Symposium on Goat Husbandry

The traditional conference on goat husbandry will take place again on November 7, 2025, at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. It will be held in cooperation with the Austrian...

Fattening of Holstein×Angus cattle in grassland

In Austria and Central Europe, there is little demand for dairy breed calves (Holstein, Brown Swiss) for further fattening (steers, heifers, bulls). The...

52nd Livestock Farming Conference: A look back at exciting insights

The 52nd Livestock Farming Conference of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein took place on April 9th ​​and 10th, 2025 as a two-day hybrid event and attracted ...

Meat quality meets sustainability: A new approach to cattle farming? - Podcast 104

Fattening of dairy breed x Angus cattle on grassland – Production potential of this crossbreed. The Austrian cattle industry is striving to expand the development...

Sustainable Food Management: Knowledge about Animal Husbandry as a Basis for Quality

Food managers form an essential bridge between agriculture and consumers. To live up to this responsibility, ...

Seasonal calving in suckler cow husbandry

While in Austria, suckler cow husbandry has seen continuous growth, mainly due to the small-scale farming structures of this sector...

Korean students visit Raumberg-Gumpenstein

On Monday, September 2, 2024, we were visited by 30 Korean students from the Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries, along with their professor...

Assessing beef quality - Podcast 83

Meat quality is more than just the EUROP meat and fat class. In Austria and the EU, beef carcasses are graded according to muscle mass and fat content...

Visit of the TTE Institute of BOKU Vienna to the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

On April 30, 2024, the Institute of Animal Nutrition, Animal Foods and Nutritional Physiology (TTE) at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna...

Dairy-focused cattle breeds in fattening - 57th podcast

Making sensible use of calves from our dairy breeds in our own country: Fleckvieh, which makes up around ¾ of all cattle in Austria, is a dual-purpose breed...

Sustainable food management through knowledge of agricultural animal husbandry

The profession of food manager often forms the link between agriculture and consumers. Therefore, a sound knowledge of... is of great importance.

Cattle slaughter in Gumpenstein

Meat has a tough time. The media constantly confronts us with the idea that meat is unhealthy and that meat production is harming our climate...

Brown Swiss versus Fleckvieh in bull fattening – Animal performance and slaughter animal value

The present project was part of a larger research project on the "Overall efficiency of the cattle production system – milk and fattening" (MilkEfficiency...

Holstein and Fleckvieh cattle in bull fattening – Animal performance, slaughter animal value and meat quality

This project was part of a larger research project on the "Overall Efficiency of the Cattle Production System – Milk and Fattening". In addition to...

11th Symposium on Goat Farming 2023

The 11th Symposium on Goat Husbandry will take place as a hybrid event on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Grimmingsaal...

50th Livestock Farming Conference 2023

The 50th Livestock Farming Conference will take place as a hybrid event from March 29th to 30th, 2023 at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. Program...

13th Symposium on Sheep Farming 2024

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the traditional sheep farming conference will once again take place at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein as a hybrid event...

Environmental impacts of extensive production methods in permanent grassland with and without alpine pasture use

The yields from alpine farming are among the most sustainable food products that agriculture can produce. Their value is directly linked to the well-being of the animals...

How alpine grazing affects carcass quality

The word "Alm" (alpine pasture) has a very good image, which is why in Austria there are also efforts to promote and market alpine products, such as milk and meat, more strongly...

Visit by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) - Quality Management Manager of the food retail sector

On Friday, July 8th, a small but select delegation from the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), Quality Management Division for the Food Trade, visited the HBLFA Raumberg...

Livestock Farming Conference 2022

The 49th Livestock Farming Symposium of the Institute for Livestock Research took place at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein on April 6th and 7th, 2022, for the first time...

12th Symposium on Sheep Farming 2022

The 12th Sheep Farming Symposium will take place as a hybrid event at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein on Friday, November 11, 2022. {rsfiles ...

49th Livestock Farming Conference, April 6-7, 2022

The Institute for Livestock Research at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is hosting the 49th Livestock Farming Conference on April 6th and 7th, 2022.

Grassland-based ox fattening with native breeds (Pinzgauer vs. Fleckvieh) at different feeding intensities

Unlike bull fattening, which requires continuous intensive feeding, usually based on corn silage and concentrated feed, ox fattening is also possible in...

Fattening of crossbred cattle (dairy breed x beef breed) in grassland

Calf transports abroad and veal imports are prominent topics in agricultural, media, and public discourse. In...

Angus and Simmental×Angus young cattle from suckler cow husbandry

In a collaborative project between HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein and the Hohenlehen Agricultural College (Lower Austria), the increases and the...

Branded meat from alpine pastures – survey of alpine farms

A new branded meat program for alpine products is being developed – the opinions of alpine farmers are now being sought...

48th Livestock Farming Conference 2021

The 48th Livestock Farming Conference will take place as a web conference on March 24-25, 2021. ...

Studies on the fattening and slaughter performance as well as meat quality and environmental impacts of alpine cattle and alpine lambs from Austria

In Austria, approximately 300,000 cattle and 115,000 sheep spend the summer on alpine pastures each year. Currently, there are only a few branded meat programs...

Added value of cattle and lambs grazed on alpine pastures

In Austria, approximately 300,000 cattle and 115,000 sheep spend the summer on alpine pastures each year. Currently, there are only a few branded meat programs...

Marbling of beef

Better meat marbling, i.e., a higher intramuscular fat content in the meat, is often associated with a higher enjoyment value (more flavorful, smoky, etc.).

Brown Swiss cattle in bull fattening: performance, meat quality, efficiency, profitability

In Austria, bull fattening with Fleckvieh cattle is very important. The Braunvieh breed, with a share of around 6%, is prevalent in Austrian...

Great interest in webinar on the 47th Livestock Farming Conference

The 47th annual livestock farming conference of the Institute for Farm Animal Research at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein took place at the beginning of April. Due to...

Milk fat quality is becoming more important

The composition of milk fat is of particular importance for human nutrition. Researchers at the Biology Institute of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein have now investigated...

Meat marbling as a quality criterion for beef

When climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability, and efficient resource use are discussed, the following countermeasures are often mentioned:.

Dairy-focused cattle types in bull fattening – performance, meat quality, efficiency and profitability of Holstein genotypes and Simmental cattle

Austrian beef comes predominantly from Simmental bulls, which are intensively fattened. Male calves of dairy breeds (Holz...

Wagyu as a crossbreeding partner for Fleckvieh and Charolais cattle – influence on meat quality and slaughter performance under Austrian fattening conditions

Wagyu beef – also known as Kobe beef – is a Japanese breed of cattle known for its outstanding meat quality (very heavily marbled, with a rich, crispy texture).

Fatty acid profiles of Austrian alpine, pasture and shelf milk, as well as milk from intensive production

In recent years, the nutritional value of food has become an increasingly important quality factor for consumers. In this context...

Bull fattening for high final weights with varying protein supply in the final fattening phase – impact on daily weight gain, slaughter performance, meat quality and profitability

In Austria, around 300,000 bulls are slaughtered annually, representing half of all cattle slaughtered nationwide. In recent years...

Veal color in whole milk feeding – measures to prevent dark meat color

For consumers, tenderness, taste, and especially the color of the meat are important factors when buying veal. The following are considered to be in line with market standards...

Meat quality of Austrian game – fat content and fatty acids

The project investigates the influence of the season on the intramuscular fat content and fatty acid profile of three ungulate species (roe deer, red deer, and...).

Heifer fattening in grassland (pasture vs. silage feeding) – fattening, slaughter performance and meat quality

Influence of two fattening methods (barn vs. pasture feeding) on ​​fattening performance (daily weight gain, fattening duration), slaughter performance (dressing weight, meatiness...

Influence of meat maturation on the tenderness of young beef

The present project aims to determine the tenderness of young beef after three different maturation periods (4, 14, and 24 days post-mortem) using Instron...

Meat quality and fatty acid profiles of different Austrian beef quality programs

This project examines five Austrian beef brand programs (Ja Natürlich! Jungrind, ALMO, Qualitätsmastkalbin AMA-Gütesiegel...).

Carcass and meat quality of fattening cattle on grassland (pasture vs. silage feeding)

The importance of pasture-based farming has increased significantly in recent years, and it can be assumed that this alternative beef product...

Protein supply for dairy cows in organic farming

Organic dairy cattle feeding differs from conventional feeding, which in some cases involves significantly lower protein content in the feedstuffs,...

Meat quality and slaughter performance of young cattle

The quality of agricultural meat products will become increasingly important for consumers in the future, and therefore also for farmers, butchers, meat processors...

2356: Quality lamb

Production of "premium quality" slaughter lambs through the use of the best basic feed

2357: AGRAM

Innovative alpine pasture management through targeted grazing with sheep

2365: Veal color

Veal color in whole milk feeding – measures to prevent dark meat color

2369: TurboLamm

Quality lamb production with dairy-focused dams (F1) using the most efficient possible feed utilisation

2370: PanSens II

Effect of different forage qualities on parameters of rumen fluid in cattle

2371: Hay drying

Influence of the preservation method of meadow forage on nutrient losses, feed value, milk production and milk quality

2376: Maststier_hoch

Bull fattening for high final weights with varying protein supply in the final fattening phase – impact on daily weight gain, slaughter performance, meat quality and profitability

2398: Milk efficiency

Influence of the use and live weight of dairy cows on the nutrient efficiency, environmental impact and economic viability of milk production

2407: GRP

Influence of the preservation method on the feed value and milk production of meadow forage

2409: System comparison

System comparison – Influence of full pasture or barn feeding on milk production in the mountainous regions of Austria

2414:IntMast StOcKa

(Medium-)Intensive fattening of bulls, oxen and heifers – differences in fattening performance, slaughter performance and meat quality

2423: Mast Efficiency

Dairy-focused cattle breeds in bull fattening - performance, meat quality, efficiency, economic viability and environmental impact of 3 Holstein Friesian genotypes and Fleckvieh

2455: Pasture height

Influence of pasture height on milk yield of cows on full pasture in short grass pasture systems

3542: WT: Beef label

Meat quality and fatty acid profiles of different Austrian beef quality programs

3567: WT: Half-day pasture

Feed intake and milk yield of dairy cows kept indoors or on half-day pasture with the aim of saving protein concentrate feed

3586: WT: Milk fatty acid

Fatty acid profiles of Austrian alpine, pasture and shelf milk, as well as milk from intensive production

3594: WT: Delacon IPPC

Investigation of a feed additive with regard to emission reduction and performance data, taking into account the IPPC guideline

3614: WT: Wagyu Cross

Wagyu as a crossbreeding partner for Fleckvieh and Charolais cattle – influence on slaughter performance and meat quality (intramuscular fat) under Austrian fattening conditions