Working group livestock production technology

Nutztierethologie

Direktbeobachtung
Videoaufzeichnung und Auswertung
ALT-Pedometer und
Real-Time-Location-System RTLS
zur automatischen Verhaltenserfassung (Ortung)

Umweltmesstechnik

Photoakustische Gasmesstechnik (PAS)
Nasschemisches Verfahren zur Ammoniakmessung

Sensortechnik am Tier

Herzfrequenzvariabilität (HFV)
Körpertemperaturmessung (Injektate)
Infrarotthermographie

Datenlogger zur Aufzeichnung von

Klimadaten
Licht, Strahlung (UV-A, UV-B)
Körperkerntemperatur (subkutan bei Rindern)

Ziel der Projekte und Arbeiten im Arbeitsgebiet Verfahrenstechnik - Tierhaltung ist die nachhaltige Verbesserung von Tierhaltungssystemen. Das Arbeitsgebiet Verfahrenstechnik – Tierhaltung arbeitet an der Schnittstelle zwischen Tier, Umwelt und Haltungsumgebung. Daher kommen Methoden und Messverfahren aus den Bereichen Nutztierethologie, Umweltmesstechnik sowie elektronische und optische Messverfahren zum Einsatz. Die Bewertung von Tierhaltung und Technik, bezogen auf das Tierwohl und die Umweltwirkung, findet ganzheitlich statt. Optimal ist es, wenn sich Vorteile für die Umwelt, wie z. B. saubere Laufflächen im Kuhstall, gleichermaßen positiv auf die Klauengesundheit der Milchkühe auswirken.
Unsere aktuellen Forschungsschwerpunkte sind Ammoniak-Emissionen aus frei gelüfteten Ställen mit Ausläufen und Fragen der Tiergerechtheit von Haltungstechnik und Gebäuden für Rinder und kleine Wiederkäuer.

Working group livestock production technology

Projects

Development of an animal-friendly feeding system for horned goats

Dairy goat farming is a growing business in Germany since more then one decade. In the same manner, there is a growing demand on extension for dairy goat farms regarding husbandry and management. Although there is some knowledge present, there is a lack of transer into practical dairy goat farming. That is the starting point for our new initiative Stable Schools for dairy farmers.

Stable Schools for goat farmers

Animal welfare in goat keeping

Goats are able to produce even without best keeping conditions. In organic farming is the target to have high animal welfare standards and good production performance. Several projects have developed high animal welfare standards for goats kept in stables and on pasture. Avoidance of manipulation is part of the research.

Animal welfare aspects on electronic animal identification for goats

Electronic identification of sheep and goats is mandatory in Europe since 01.01.2010. There are many concerns about injuries related to identification tags. Thus the objective of our study was the evaluation of an early identification of goat kids together in their housing and on pasture.

"Feed less Food"

Is it necessary to feed so much potential human food to livestock? Too many people face hunger. Are high proportions of concentrate good for animal health and welfare? These questions are relevant for organic farming. Already the standards of organic farming reduce the level of concentrate feed to dairy livestock. But, is it possible to reduce it further? How will be the production performance and the animal welfare? In a 6 years trial these questions have been elaborated with the dairy goat herd at the experimental station in Trenthorst.

Better milk quality with less concentrate feeding

Objective of the project is an application of a pasture-based feeding system to increase the contents of essential fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), vitamin E, xanthophylls and antioxidants in goat's milk and cheese.

Clean floors as ammonia mitigation strategy in dairy barns

Ammonia emissions from animal husbandry highly contribute to environmental acidification and eutrophication as to odour nuisance. More than 50 % of the totally emitted ammonia has its origin from cattle husbandry and 60 % of the ammonia is emitted from the walking area.

Outdoor keeping of suckler cows and beef cattle in winter

Outdoor keeping of suckler cows and beef cattle in winter is a traditional housing system in Canada. Cattle herds are kept on a limited area without roofed shelter but providing wind protection walls.