Secretary General Dr. Johannes Abentung at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein
Climate change, extreme weather events, changing dietary habits, international competition, price pressure even in the quality segment, ensuring self-sufficiency, and simultaneously high societal expectations of agriculture present farmers and the entire food sector with major challenges. Research and education make an important contribution to supporting agriculture in the necessary adaptation process and to further strengthening the comprehensive focus on quality in Austria.
On Monday, April 29th, the Secretary General of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Dr. Johannes Abentung, the largest research department of the BML (Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management). During a tour with Director Dr. Johann Gasteiner and Head of Research Dr. Andreas Steinwidder , he learned about current results, ongoing projects , and the exemplary collaboration between research and teaching at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein (Higher Federal Institute for Agricultural Education and Research).
- Current research projects on climate change adaptation in grassland, as well as the SatGrass project , were presented. Using AI, complex satellite and weather data can be used to calculate highly accurate, up-to-the-minute yield and quality trends in grassland stands for all of Austria. This will provide farmers with a valuable management tool from the end of 2025.
- Strategies for breeding for energy efficiency and emission reduction, as well as for site-adapted animal husbandry and pasture management, are being addressed in several ongoing projects. In poultry farming, adapted feed rations are also being tested at the HBLFA . Based on this research, sustainable management strategies and climate protection solutions are being developed.
- Together with farmers and research partners, HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is also looking for practical and economically viable solutions to adapt existing pig fattening barns to the future.
- The organic food crops project cultivation strategies and possibilities for alternative plant crops in organic farming, such as sweet potatoes, lentils, dry beans, etc.
In all research areas, digitization, the use of state-of-the-art technologies and a future-oriented analytics unit at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein also play an important role.
Student representatives Anna Lena Molterer and Maximilian Meissinger, together with the pedagogical director, Othmar Breitenbaumer, presented the very well-equipped school, the boarding school, the practical training units, and especially the close collaboration between research and teaching at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. For example, during the Science Days, students gain in-depth insights into "Gumpenstein research" four times a year. Experiments are also conducted jointly as part of the students' diploma theses.
Director Dr. Johann Gasteiner thanked GS Dr. Johannes Abentung for the intensive professional exchange, the very good support of the work at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein and the appreciative cooperation with the Ministry.
