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Sheep and goat farming

Small ruminants like sheep and goats are frequently mentioned when discussing the maintenance of open landscapes, especially in mountainous regions. The Sheep and Goat Department focuses primarily on the use of sheep and goats in alpine grasslands. However, the product itself is always paramount. Sheep and goats provide high-quality food, both meat and milk. The unique advantages of these products, their natural production methods, and their positive impact on the cultural landscape deserve particular emphasis.

The substantive questions and tasks arise primarily from practical experience. There is close cooperation with sheep and goat breeding associations. The department is also in high demand internationally as a project partner and is currently involved in the Interreg IIIB project "Alpinet Gheep," which focuses on a network to promote sheep and goat farming in the Alpine region.

Research objectives:

Influence of feed quality and feeding intensity on feed intake and milk yield of sheep and goats
Optimal production systems for producing top-quality lamb and kid meat
Extensive use of grassland to preserve the cultural landscape
Animal health
Basic feed evaluation, ruminant-appropriate ration design
Impact of grazing on plant communities
Breeding programs and performance testing