This project complements the ongoing EIP project "New Concepts for Organic Calves from Dairy Farms for Quality Beef Cattle Fattening (Organic Weaner Rearing)" with in-depth scientific analysis and additional investigations. In addition to a comprehensive literature review on organic calf rearing, animal nutrition, animal health, and housing and management systems, further detailed parameters such as ethological, health-related, and performance-related data will be collected on working farms. The validation of weight tapes for estimating live weight in cattle will also be carried out. Furthermore, a one-year trial on organic weaner production will be conducted with calves from the dairy herds of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. This trial will focus on weight gain, milk, feed, and nutrient intake, as well as documentation of animal health.
This expanded dataset enables a sound evaluation of the four rearing variants and the development of evidence-based recommendations for feeding, housing, and animal health in organic weaner rearing. The following rearing variants are examined: weaner production on dairy farms, weaner production through specialized weaner production, weaner production and fattening on fattening farms, and weaner production through suckler cow or nurse cow husbandry. The results are incorporated into scientific publications, practice-oriented guidelines, and training materials, thus strengthening the link between research and practice with the aim of sustainably improving the quality and profitability of organic beef fattening.
Cooperation partner
Bio Austria
Chambers of Agriculture of the participating federal states
Studia Schlierbach
Agricultural practice farms
Raumberg-Gumpenstein Research & Development
Further links
EIP project - rearing of young birds
