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Exposure visit by APD SEE provides information on current topics in animal production in Germany

This time, the exposure visit organized by IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH as part of the APD SEE led to animal production. From Oct 7-11, 2024, 15 participants traveled through Bavaria, Thuringia and Saxony to get to know the dimensions, which are also different within Germany.

The trip kicked off with a visit to the School of Life Sciences at the Technical University of Munich to gain insight into research issues relating to livestock farming systems and animal nutrition. At the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism, the relevant tasks and current political issues were discussed. The delegation then visited the modern facilities for cattle farming at the Grub State Farm and the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture's (LfL) research into heat stress.

At the Institute for Meat Safety and Quality (Max Rubner Institute), the tasks of federal research along the meat value chain were presented. Here, participants were also able to view the world's first helium stunning facility. The fact that animal welfare is relevant right to the end was also demonstrated by the discussion of mobile slaughter facilities, which can be used to counteract the concentration of slaughterhouses and their consequences. Innovations in meat substitute products were also addressed as a trend that cannot be negated and as an established sector.

Several farm visits also offered insights into modern, climate-adapted dairy farming, organically certified chicken fattening and sheep grazing on marginal land. The nexus to energy was also illustrated with a visit to an animal welfare agri-photovoltaic system – a promising concept that still has to overcome bureaucratic hurdles. Last but not least, the visit to the clinic for cloven-hoofed animals at the University of Leipzig impressed with practical insights into maintaining the health of individuals in the context of ever larger herds.

At an internal colloquium on “The future of livestock production in South-East Europe", participants discussed pressing issues relating to the development of the sector in the Western Balkans with a view to the urgent need to adapt to climate change. Work on the topic will continue at the next meeting in early December.

16.10.2024