Animal Housing & Livestock Breeding

Organic agriculture strives for species-appropriate livestock husbandry and the highest level of animal welfare. FiBL's research and advisory services work to improve established systems and help develop new ones. In addition to livestock housing issues, we also work on improving farm workflows for the benefit of animal welfare. We develop practicable and ethically responsible livestock husbandry concepts as well as methods to test and improve these.

When formulating breeding objectives, organic farming prioritises traits differently than conventional agriculture: The most important objectives are health, fertility and longevity of the animals as well as product quality. Breeding strategies are therefore needed that prioritise these objectives. This requires developing new characteristics for breeding robust animals that are healthy and efficient in free-range and pasture systems. For ruminants, site-adapted breeding strategies are expedient, as their feeding on organic farms is strongly dependent on location. In Swiss pig farming, only a small number of breeds are available. Our focus here is therefore on the evaluation and selection of suitable lines and the establishment of our own organic pig breed.

Contact

• Mirjam Holinger
• Anet Spengler Neff