At a large celebration on May 5th at the Chamber of Commerce in Gröbming, the graduates of apprenticeships with distinction, their training companies and new master craftswomen and craftsmen of the region were honored at “Stars of Styria 2026”.
It will soon be that time again: HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, in cooperation with European Hoofcare, is organizing the next diploma course for “Instructor of functional hoof care”.
The Long Night of Research on Friday, April 24th, was once again a resounding success, with the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein participating in the Palm House in the castle gardens. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors was particularly gratifying...
As part of the Austria-wide Science Week 2026, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) together with the University of Agricultural and Environmental Education...
The research project “Hay Quality Upgrade” evaluates hay quality from farms throughout Austria via the “LK Hay Project 2026” using new quality criteria for protein, energy, and DCAB (digestible dairy cows) to improve the feeding of dairy cows...
In the project (scientific activity) “NEBO-S – Testing of novel floor elements as lying area in pig fattening”, the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is developing an innovative barn floor solution for fattening pigs...
On April 24, 2026, the Long Night of Research 2026 will take place throughout Austria, and the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein will participate together with the other research-active departments of the BMLUK in the Palm House in the Burggarten/Vienna....
From Monday, June 29th to Wednesday, July 1st, an excursion to South Tyrol will take place.
As project manager for Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft mbH (Federal Real Estate Company), Bernd Göschl, a certified engineer, has successfully co-planned, overseen, and implemented numerous construction projects for HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein with us over many years. In doing so, he has...
The Muscaris first harvest from the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein experimental garden has been bottled! The approximately 200 vines are cultivated and cared for in close cooperation with the Silberberg Education Center for Fruit and Wine Growing.
The Erasmus+ project SmartStep brings together international partners to develop practical solutions for the sustainable management and improvement of grassland. The focus is on biodiversity, climate change, modern monitoring methods, and...
The implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) requires ongoing monitoring and thorough evaluation. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, the...
The annual regional ski championship took place in Zauchensee on March 6, 2026. The colleagues from HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein were in excellent form and achieved numerous top placements.
ReNaturEnns - Students from HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein research aquatic ecology and river management. Just in time for World Water Day on March 22, 2026, the ReNaturEnns project will start, involving 35 students from HBLFA...
Two practical workshops on edible wild herbs in grassland. In spring, grassland is full of valuable, edible plants – often overlooked, but rich in flavor and nutrients. The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein invites you to a workshop in May 2026...
Proper hoof care is a key component of animal health, performance, and welfare in cattle farming. Regular and professional hoof care significantly contributes to preventing lameness and...
Online introductory course for the SatGrass App Gumpenstein: Digitalization opens up exciting new opportunities for agriculture! With the SatGrass App Gumpenstein, which will be available free of charge to farmers throughout Austria from mid-March 2026...
As part of the projects on the use of GPS technologies in pasture management, the second workshop on the topic of "Pasture GPS" took place. Building on the content of the first workshop, the findings to date were summarized and expanded upon.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture. Grassland, in particular – the most important source of feed for cattle farming in many regions of Austria – is highly sensitive to climatic changes...
Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig presented the new 2026–2030 research program of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) on March 3, 2026. The aim is to...
The IBeSt project (“Innovations for existing pig rearing and fattening facilities in Austria – for the benefit of animals and humans”) was successfully completed in December 2025 and is therefore history…
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, the annual Works Council Forum of the Styrian Chamber of Agricultural Workers took place at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. Numerous participants took advantage of the opportunity for professional exchange and...
On February 19th and 20th, 2026, the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein became the meeting place for numerous sheep and goat farmers from all over Austria. During the breeding days, organized by the ÖBSZ together with the NTÖ, the focus was on knowledge,...
As part of the conference “Innovations in the Alpine Region”, which will take place on April 8th and 9th, 2026 at the Innovation Centre of Traktorenwerk Lindner GmbH in Kundl (Tyrol), our employee Alfred Pöllinger-Zierler will also give a technical presentation.
On February 5, 2026, the kick-off meeting for the "Heimathuhn" (Home Chicken) project took place at the Eiermacher GmbH company premises in Kremsmünster. The project aims to develop a future-proof, integrable system for small-scale...
Research for practical application. School for life. The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein unites applied research and modern agricultural education under one roof. Our research delivers practical solutions for...
The Pig Day, organized by Bio Austria in cooperation with the Organic Institute of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein as part of the Bio Austria Farmers' Days, took place on January 28, 2026, in the usual beautiful setting of the Schloss Puchberg Education Center in Pichl...
At the University of Agricultural and Environmental Education in Vienna, in cooperation with the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Institute for Animal, Technology and Environment, a master's thesis on labor management was completed as part of the IbeSt+ project...
A recent collaborative project between HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein and Vetmeduni Vienna investigated the suitability of rumen sensors for predicting the risk of hypocalcemia (milk fever, recumbency) in dairy cows...
Under the motto "Deepening organic education – shaping and implementing it together," this year's organic networking seminar "Organic Farming in the Classroom" brought together teachers, consultants, and scientists from the field of...
A living soil is the foundation of every successful organic grassland operation. It determines the stability of yields and forage quality, how well plants survive periods of drought, and how efficiently nutrients are used.
At the beginning of 2026, a transnational, three-year research project on climate change adaptation was launched by the regions of Bavaria, South Tyrol, and Austria. The aim is to establish dry beans and sorghum as climate-resilient and economically viable crops...
From January 19th to 21st, 2026, 34 students from the University of Agricultural and Environmental Education in Vienna attended a course at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein.
The Austrian greenhouse gas inventory is compiled annually by the Federal Environment Agency in accordance with IPCC guidelines. This inventory calculates emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. For sheep and goats, methane emissions are of particular concern...
Healthy animals are the foundation of successful alpine farming. This seminar focuses entirely on the health of sheep and goats during the summer grazing season.
The 14th Austrian Equestrian Conference will take place at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Methane (CH₄) is a gas with a high energy content. It is produced by bacteria during biological processes in the absence of oxygen. If methane remains trapped in soil or on the seabed for extended periods, it forms natural gas or methane hydrate. If it reaches...
Grazing is the natural form of nutrition for ruminants. Wild ruminants demonstrate their optimal timing. The estrus cycle of the mothers begins in such a way that the future milk demand of the offspring is precisely aligned with...
Thermal imaging cameras offer exciting possibilities for animal observation in organic pig farming. They can help detect signs of fever, inflammation, or overheating early on, thus contributing to animal welfare...
In 2025, the Institute for Livestock Research, Department of Cattle Fattening and Product Quality, published two articles in the German journal Züchtungskunde (Animal Breeding). A third publication will follow in 2026.
Healthy soils are one of our most important foundations for life and a prerequisite for sustainable food production as well as resilience to negative environmental influences. It takes approximately 100 years for 1 cm of soil to regenerate...
At AGRITECHNICA 2025, the world's largest agricultural machinery trade fair, Reinhard Resch, HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, explained the most important influencing factors, such as correctly adjusted harvesting and unloading technology, on the quality of roughage....
The networking workshop of the LTSER research platform Eisenwurzen took place this year on November 24, 2025 at the SPES Future Academy Schlierbach on the topic of “Together for a strong region”.
Digital technologies promise efficiency, relief, and progress – but how much of that fits into a family farm? Optimized herd management places high demands on the support needed for daily operations...
In modern livestock barns, the barn climate presents a key challenge. Horses and cattle, in particular, suffer from heat stress and poor air quality.
The barn construction brochure "LTS 229: Barn Construction for Organic Livestock Farming: PIGS" has been published in a new edition. It provides a comprehensive information base for farmers involved in barn construction measures in...
Goats grazing in pastures are inevitably exposed to parasites – especially gastrointestinal strongyles. In recent years, increasing resistance to deworming medications has been observed across Europe, impacting animal health and the economic viability of...
The largest German-language conference on odor and odor assessment takes place every two years. Organized by the Association of German Engineers (VDI), the conference will be held on November 18th and 19th, 2025, in Salzburg.
During a ceremony held on October 30, 2025, in the Marble Hall of the Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig presented awards and professional titles. Our section head, JohannFankhauser, and our Direktor... were also present.
Hunting in the EU – Gamekeeping in the context of international agreements and EU policy, March 5–6, 2026, Aigen im Ennstal (Puttererseehalle)
Discover Raumberg-Gumpenstein virtually – on your phone or with VR glasses! It often makes sense to get a feel for the place beforehand – and the easiest way to do this is with a virtual tour. Whether on your PC, phone, tablet, or with VR glasses –...
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the Harvest Festival was celebrated in the research area. Following Holy Mass in the parish church in Irdning, a small snack was served in Gumpenstein.
E. coli resistance: The end of post-weaning diarrhea?! Post-weaning diarrhea and edema disease are swine diseases that can cause significant economic losses. Both diseases are caused by infections with...
At this year's LTER-Austria annual conference at Mondsee, experts presented the latest findings and developments in long-term ecological research. Renate Mayer and Christoph Gahbauer from the Acquisitions Unit...
The DLG working group on feed and feeding recently published newly developed documents on energy assessment and protein supply. These two new fact sheets were created with the participation of feeding experts from...
In the latest episode of our organic meat information podcast, we take a look at where science and agricultural practice directly intersect. Our guest is Walter Starz, head of the Department of Organic Grassland and Arable Farming at...
Recently, the seminar "Edible Legumes in Practice – Cultivation, Technology and Value Creation" took place at the Lambach/Stadl-Paura location of the Bio-Institute. Numerous interested visitors filled the seminar room and were able to learn about...
A new handbook offers teachers support for lessons on business management, sustainability assessment, and environmental and resource management. Teachers from the following subjects...
“Precision Animal Health” – the international study program of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna – visited the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein for two days.
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.
Initial research findings on greenhouse gas emissions in the Irdninger Moos and Wörschacher Moor: The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein hosted a workshop on the LIFE+ AMooRe project at Gumpenstein Castle on September 26, 2025. The aim was to...
The Pinzgau goat is one of the endangered native livestock breeds. At the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, intensive research is being conducted on its conservation and population development. Through scientific monitoring and breeding programs, we are contributing to...
The episode “Heat stress on the pasture” in the Journal-Panorama of Ö1 dealt with the growing challenges that farm animals and agricultural businesses face in view of rising summer temperatures.
On September 23, 2025, more than 120 participants of the IFCN Supporter Conference were welcomed to Raumberg-Gumpenstein for an excursion. 126 countries are members of this globally largest network of milk-producing countries...
As part of a public tender for the training of agricultural advisors, a group of 30 Slovenian experts specializing in grassland management, fodder production, and cattle and small ruminant breeding visited the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein...
The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein looks back on a highly successful trade fair appearance at the Ried Agricultural Fair, which took place from September 4th to 7th. Committed to our role as an "Innovation Farm," we were represented in Hall 4 to...
Climate change poses major challenges to grassland management and ruminant husbandry: heat, drought, heavy rainfall, and new problem organisms threaten yield, quality, and animal welfare. At the same time, the costs of...
This event is dedicated to the cultivation of grain legumes – including lentils, chickpeas, beans, and soybeans. The focus will be on their importance for soil fertility, their contribution to climate resilience...
Strategic Future Process for Agriculture: On September 3, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture hosted the event "Vision 2028+ – Taking Stock" in the Marble Hall in Vienna. The aim was to present the results achieved so far in the broad...
This year's congress of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) took place from August 25–29, 2025, at the Innsbruck Exhibition and Congress Centre. Around 1,500 international experts from science, practice, and politics attended...
