Individual packages of measures are implemented in each of the companies in the following areas:
- more space per animal
- larger groups by combining pens
- Establishment of a lying area on at least a third of the bay area with a maximum of 10% perforation
- Stable cooling (fattening) or temperature zone formation (rearing)
- improved employment material
A special feature of this project is that, in addition to the animals, we also “look at people” . On the one hand, the managers of the practical farms continually exchange their experiences with the adapted stable. On the other hand, different topics are dealt with in workshops , such as a reflection on work processes in the company so that the boundaries between work and family do not become blurred; or a joint discussion of the topic of animal welfare and how one can create a constructive dialogue with different target groups.
Change, whether on the farm or in society, is seen as an ongoing learning and adaptation process that farmers actively help shape.
Just listen or watch:
In conversation with Dr. Andreas Steinwidder tells Dr. Birgit Heidinger talks about the results of the IBeSt project ( Innovations for existing breeding and fattening stables for pigs in Austria) and passes on the current findings.
Further information
The project is financed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Regions and Water Management as well as the federal states. It is carried out in a unique cooperation between science (HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, BOKU, University of Agricultural and Environmental Education, AGES, Messerli Research Institute) and practice (VÖS, Junge Veredler, practical companies). This is done with the intensive involvement of advice (chambers of agriculture, LSB team & trainers), the Austrian stable construction industry and agricultural communication experts (AMA Marketing, Land creates life association, Die Esserwisser association). The IBeSt project is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2025 and was completed at the end of 2023 expanded to include the IBeSt+ project - ongoing news and project-related information can be found on the project homepages as well as Instagram and Facebook:
https://boku.ac.at/wiso/afo/forschung/ibest
