The first block of presentations focused on site-appropriate agriculture as well as societal and market trends. Dr. Thomas Guggenberger, Head of the Institute for Livestock Research, kicked things off. He clearly explained why a repositioning of conventional dairy farming towards site-appropriate agriculture would be beneficial. Dr. Elfriede Ofner-Schröck, also from HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, presented the three components of the FarmLife-Welfare Index and initial results from its practical application on dairy farms. Professor Dr. Wilhelm Windisch from the Technical University of Munich addressed the topic of why climate neutrality and ruminants are not mutually exclusive. Edina Scherzer and her father, Reinhard Scherzer, discussed key parameters of site-adapted agriculture on their dairy farm in their presentation. Finally, Hannes Royer from the association "Land schafft Leben" (Land Creates Life) presented his perspective on food production, nutrition, society, and site-appropriate agriculture.
The second block of presentations covered current information from milk performance testing. Gerhard Lindner, a certified engineer from the Salzburg Chamber of Agriculture, spoke about data networking in the use of milking robot and bulk tank milk data and its advantages. Lisa Rienesl, a certified engineer from the Institute of Animal Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), presented results from her doctoral thesis on the use of the MIR spectrum of milk for health management and breeding.
The final session of the first day focused on alternative feedstuffs with future potential. Dr. Elisabeth Gerster from LAZBW Aulendorf presented a trial on the cultivation and suitability of maize-pole bean silage in dairy cattle feeding. Dr. Georg Terler, the main organizer of the livestock farming conference, and Dr. Qendrim Zebeli from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna presented results from a joint research project on the use of sweet hay in calf feeding instead of calf TMR and its influence on feed intake, weight gain, and digestion.
After a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, an evening event was held again this year, which was used for further discussions and personal exchange.
The first session of the second day of presentations focused on updating the forage evaluation process and its practical implementation. Gerald Stögmüller, Dipl.- Doz. (LK Niederösterreich) and head of the Rosenau feed laboratory, Leonhard Gruber, Associate Professor and former head of the Institute for Livestock Research, and Stefanie Gappmaier, Dipl.-Ing. HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein), presented their joint research project, the trial results, and the insights gained regarding digestibility, energy evaluation, and protein evaluation.
The final session focused on alternative methods of cattle fattening. Ing. Wolfgang Stromberger, from the Carinthian Chamber of Agriculture, presented the potential of intensive steer fattening with corn silage and concentrated feed, sharing the experiences of a working farm. Dr. Margit Velik, HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, spoke about the slaughter characteristics of Austrian alpine cattle. Ing. Roland Kitzer, also HBLFA, presented a field trial on stress-free cattle slaughter.
Hybrid events entail additional organizational effort, but also allow a broad audience to participate. The lively discussion participation of both online and on-site attendees – including during two panel discussions – demonstrates the great interest in the topics presented and the value of the livestock farming conference as a continuing education opportunity.
Here you can download the conference proceedings and individual contributions free of charge:
Here you can watch most of the presentations again – on our livestock research channel on YouTube. We have compiled the videos for you in a playlist.
...and here are some more impressions from the event:
