Following the welcome address by Direktor Dr. Johann Gasteiner, the first session focused on the management of dairy farms. The presentation, given by Dr. Marco Horn from the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, centered particularly on the development of milk quality and its economic significance. Strategies for the optimal formulation of total mixed rations (TMRs) to avoid feed selection and improve feed intake were also presented; this lecture was given by Sebastian Langmaier from the Otterbach Agricultural College and Vocational School.
The second thematic block focused on efficiency and metabolic health in cattle. New approaches to assessing feed efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for breeding and herd management were presented by Dr. Kristina Linke from ZuchtData. Modern approaches to breeding efficient cows were also discussed, presented by DIin -Joe Burn from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Stefan Gruber, also from BOKU, further addressed innovative methods for assessing feed efficiency and metabolic health using MIR spectra. A presentation on the use of sensor systems for the early detection of milk fever by Julia Gleissenberger, MA, from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (VVV) rounded out this block.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to cattle fattening . Dr. Thomas Ettle from the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture presented results from feeding trials on ensuring protein supply in bull fattening. Robert Windauer, farmer and independent consultant, presented practical experience with the use of protein feed in bull fattening. Additionally, Dr. Johann Burgstaller, MSc, from the Carinthian Chamber of Agriculture presented findings on factors influencing the performance and revenue of weaner farms in the suckler cow sector.
The first day concluded with short presentations on current topics in livestock farmingaddressedHBLFA the implementation of the new feeding recommendations in feed analysis and ration formulation. Anita Hackl, BSc, from the Schlägl Agricultural Vocational and Technical School, presented a current project and initial results on cockchafer larvae management. Finally, Thomas Guggenberger, also from HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, presented the climate protection calculator he developed.
The second day of the event focused on silage maize breeding and adapting grassland to climate change. Dr. Burkard Kautz from the German Maize Committee (Deutsches Maiskomitee e.V.) began by presenting current results and developments from silage maize variety trials. Dr. Georg Terler from the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein then discussed the requirements for silage maize from an animal nutrition perspective. Another key focus was adapting grassland stands to climate change. Technical presentations covered both agronomic strategies for grassland management, presented by Lukas Gaier from the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, and practical experience from advisory services, presented by Dr. Wolfgang Angeringer from the Styrian Chamber of Agriculture. Finally, Dr. Mariana Schneider from the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture presented options for ensuring successful silage production through the use of suitable silage additives.
The conference impressively demonstrated how closely animal breeding, feeding, and feed production are linked, and the importance of research and consulting for the sustainable and economically viable development of agriculture. The participants particularly appreciated the intensive exchange between science, consulting, and practical application.
Insights from the two-day conference
