Contact
Veronika Maurer
(Dr. sc. ETH)
Animal Husbandry
Head of group
FiBL
Ackerstrasse
CH-5070 Frick
Phone +41 (0)62 865-7257
Fax +41 (0)62 865-7273
veronika.maurer(at)fibl.org
LowInputBreeds
LowInputBreeds - Development of integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health, product quality and performance in European organic and ‘low input’ milk, meat and egg production.
- Contact: Veronika Maurer, FiBL, scientific coordinator
- Homepage www.lowinputbreeds.org
Research areas: Animal Husbandry
Sustainable animal breeding
In terms of breeding goals, the priorities of organic agriculture are different than those of traditional agriculture: the health and fertility of the animals as well as product quality are at the top of the list. It is therefore necessary to develop breeding strategies that give priority to the pursuit of these goals. Furthermore, research is needed to determine which breeding animals fulfil these goals. Traditional breeding strategies do not always employ techniques that are compatible with the concepts and goals of ecological agriculture. As a consequence, there is a need for ongoing discussion of ethical aspects in connection with breeding strategies and reproduction techniques in organic production, as well as for the elaboration and communication of appropriate recommendations.
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> LowInputBreeds project
A large-scale project which aims to improve animal health and product quality in European organic and ‘low input’ livestock production systems began in 2009. The LowInputBreeds project unites 22 partners from Europe and further afield and will develop integrated breeding and management strategies to tackle the issue of improved animal health and food quality. It will run until 2014 and is co-funded by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.
Animal welfare and environmental performance
Today’s society vehemently demands species-appropriate and environmentally-appropriate milk, meat and egg production. Organic production is playing an exemplary role in this area. Workable and ethically acceptable livestock management strategies are undergoing continuous development and new, environmentally sound livestock management systems are being researched and tested. Corresponding research and assessment methods are being developed and applied. Special priorities for research in this area also include the transport and slaughter of farm animals, as well as reduction of stress and losses in meat quality.
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Controlling parasites
Worm parasites, parasitic insects, mites and coccidia pose some of the greatest health problems in animal husbandry. Organic operations face greater parasite problems, as on the one hand the animals come into contact more often with parasites due to the compulsory access to pastures and runs, and on the other hand because prophylactic medication is not allowed. The current standard practice on both organic and conventional operations is to de-worm the animals with synthetic antihelminthics. Their use, however, is not without problems (resistance, effect on soil organisms). In past years, diverse nondrug procedures (e.g. pasture management, bioactive forages, selection of resistant animals) have been developed and their efficacy has been confirmed. The goal for the coming years is to implement these strategies and in particular to exploit their additive effects. Special attention is given to small ruminants, cattle as well as laying hens.