Research for practical application. Knowledge for the future.
Current research projects | Research news | Discover research groups
Applied research – for practical application
Our research combines production technology, animal welfare, ecology, and economics. The goal is to support agricultural businesses in meeting current and future challenges – in a practical, solution-oriented, and scientifically sound manner.
The HBLFA 's systemic approach considers soil, plants, animals, the value chain, and environmental and social aspects together. This results in holistic answers to key questions in Austrian agriculture.
Our research focus
Soil quality, nutrient balance, circular economy, grassland management, crop production, biodiversity, livestock feeding, animal health, animal husbandry, animal welfare, climate protection, climate change adaptation, digitalization, business management, life cycle assessment and organic farming.
Knowledge transfer: Research that makes a difference
Our results don't stay in the lab or in the report. They are processed in such a way that they can be effective in practice, consulting, teaching, administration and politics.
Our knowledge transfer services
- Events, conferences, workshops and webinars
- Podcasts and specialist videos “Agricultural Science – Knowledge in a nutshell”
- Technical articles, research reports, scientific publications, downloads and brochures
- Practical events on agricultural farms
This creates a direct transfer of knowledge from research to implementation – understandable, tailored to the target group, and practical. Here we have documented our implementation activities from the previous year.
Events & Conference Reports | Podcasts & Videos | Research Documentation & Publications
Two paths in our research
Raumberg-Gumpenstein conducts research in specialized research institutes and in inter-institutional research groups.
The research institutes form the organizational structure of our research. They house specialist knowledge, experimental facilities, scientific expertise, and contact persons. The research groups focus on key future topics in agriculture: experts from different institutes work together in an interdisciplinary manner on practical solutions for agriculture, the environment, animal welfare, climate, and society.
Are you looking for an organizational unit or contact person? Then choose to enter via the research institutes.
Are you looking for a topic, current projects, or results? Then choose to enter via the research groups.
Our research institutes
The research at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is organizationally bundled into four research institutes. They combine interdisciplinary scientific expertise with many years of experience in experimentation, practical implementation, and consulting.
Our research resources
At our five research sites with experimental plots or stables in
- Irdning-Donnersbachtal (Gumpenstein),
- Stainach-Pürgg (Moarhof - Organic Institute),
- Wels-Thalheim,
- Lambach Stadl-Paura and
- In addition to Piber and numerous on-farm practical studies, we are conducting our approximately 80 ongoing research projects.
State-of-the-art scientific equipment supports our researchers. For example, we have the world's only drought simulation area for grassland. We also maintain gene banks for grassland and endangered livestock breeds , as well as measurement units for methane emissions (cattle) and odor (olfactometry units).
Our research facilities for cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens form the basis for practical trials. We also have our own certified organic research units, a manure testing facility, emission measuring chambers , and laboratories for our analyses.
In addition to these research resources, we collaborate with many national and international partners , thereby improving our effectiveness.
Our research locations Our research team
Current Projects & Research Highlights
Stay up to date: Learn more about current projects, innovations and scientific results of HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein.
Our research provides insights that can be used directly in practice, in consulting and in political decision-making processes – from new management strategies to digital tools and solutions for climate, animal welfare, biodiversity and resource efficiency.
Current research projects | News from research
Our research groups
In seven interdisciplinary research groups, we pool our core competencies across departments. Together with external partner organizations, companies, farms, and the scientific community, we develop sound solutions for a high-performing, sustainable, and socially integrated Austrian agriculture – practical, scientifically based, and in collaboration with partners from agriculture, consulting, business, and research.
3D research in Raumberg-Gumpenstein
It often makes sense to get a feel for things beforehand – the easiest way to do this is with a virtual tour.
Whether on your PC, mobile phone or tablet, or with VR glasses – take a look now:
You can virtually visit the research area in Gumpenstein and at Moarhof with its diverse buildings , and the pigsty in Wels
With the QR codes for the 3D tours, you can get started immediately with your mobile phone or tablet - just take a look!
3D research Gumpenstein  |
3D pigsty Wels |
Research & Contacts Team
Behind the research at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein are dedicated employees from science, experimentation, technology, administration, education, and consulting. Together they work to develop insights for sustainable agriculture and put them into practice.
Dr. Andreas Steinwidder is responsible for the entire research area - Head of Research and Innovation.
Steinwidder Andreas, Priv. Doz. Dr.
About the Research TeamAbout the Organization
Stay informed
Current results, events, projects and specialist information directly from Raumberg-Gumpenstein: Subscribe to our research newsletter or follow us on our social media channels.