Project
Title
Innovationsnetzwerk Rind - zukunftsfähige Rinderhaltung in Deutschland unter Berücksichtigung von Tierwohl, Umweltwirkungen und gesellschaftlicher Akzeptanz. TP 8
Acronym
InnoRind (Förderphase 2)
Start
01.08.2022
End
31.07.2025
Coordinating Institute
Christian-Albrecht-Universität zu Kiel
Contact
Project team ATB
Allocated to research program
Internet
Summary
The collaborative project InnoRind (here: funding phase 2) brings together the expertise of twelve project partners across Germany, including universities, colleges, research institutes, chambers of agriculture and the associated experimental farms.
The aim is to develop concepts for sustainable cattle farming in order to improve animal welfare and environmental impact, while at the same time taking into account social acceptance and the economic viability of farms. Having already determined the status quo of German cattle farming and identified potential for improvement, the existing cattle barns on the nine experimental farms are now being converted and technology and equipment purchased so that innovative forms of husbandry and management measures can be implemented in the calf, fattening and dairy cattle sectors.
In the calf sector, the influence of early social contact through pair or group housing after weaning on performance, health and behavior is being investigated. In addition, new approaches to weaning and separation in mother-finished calf rearing will be tested, as well as new ways to raise calves for fattening. In the fattening sector, existing housing systems are being further developed by offering animals more space and better outdoor climate conditions. In the dairy sector, calving pens are being converted into group pens with separees so that cows can withdraw for parturition in line with their natural behavior. At the same time, the suitability of this group calving for a prolonged contact between cow and calf is checked.
After the respective conversion phase, the effects on animal welfare, environmental impact, hygiene, feasibility on the farm and economic expenditure will be examined. Based on this, recommendations for practical implementation on farms will be developed.
Funding
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL)
Funding agency
Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE)
Grant agreement number
28N304208
Funding framework
Bundesprogramm Nutztierhaltung