Innovative research methods for future-proof livestock breeding

At the same time, intensive animal husbandry is known to be one of the agricultural sectors with the largest ecological footprint, which also raises serious ethical questions due to the way animals are kept outside nature and treated. On the other hand, animals kept in close-to-nature environments, in addition to freely exercising their species’ typical behaviors, transform plant materials unfit for human consumption into high-quality animal products (meat, milk), while maintaining the diverse wildlife and outstanding natural values of the grazed grasslands. The Ecological Agricultural Research Institute (ÖMKi) considers it important to draw attention to the importance of local, sustainable animal husbandry, conscious nutrition, and the benefits of free-range, organic animal products. The development of sustainable animal husbandry is key to the development of a future-proof food system. Animal husbandry needs solutions that simultaneously ensure the welfare of the animals, minimize the negative environmental effects of animal husbandry, while enabling high-quality food production. For solutions, it is worth combining well-proven, traditional methods with the results of scientific research and innovative technical tools. ÖMKi – in the field of pasture-based beef cattle farming – supports the sustainable development of domestic livestock breeding with its research based on sensors that can be placed on animals.