Publications from the Animal Welfare Centres of Excellence
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The nationwide Fokus Tierwohl network was established to provide long-term support to livestock farmers in Germany and to help them prioritise animal welfare, environmental protection, production quality and market orientation. The joint project aims to improve the transfer of knowledge into practice in order to make pig, poultry and cattle farms in Germany fit for the future in terms of animal-welfare-friendly, environmentally sound and sustainable livestock farming.
Please note that the English versions of the content on this website have been translated automatically using the DeepL translation tool.
While every effort has been made to ensure accurate and understandable translations, discrepancies or inaccuracies may occur. The German version of the content is legally binding and should be referred to in case of doubt.
News from the Animal Welfare Network and the industry
A properly designed hygiene barrier is a key component of biosecurity in pig farming. It effectively protects pig herds from the introduction of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, thereby making a crucial contribution to health and disease control within the barn. The clear separation of the outdoor and barn areas, the consistent changing of clothing and footwear, and hand washing and disinfection significantly reduce the risk of infection.
The VALORAGRO project aims to identify waste streams from agricultural production – with a focus on fruit and vegetable production – to develop suitable fermentation processes, and to investigate the use of the fermented components in pig and poultry feed. A central element of the project is the Living Lab approach. Using this approach, farmers, businesses and other stakeholders work together with researchers to develop feeding strategies tailored to local conditions and needs.
The livestock sector faces major challenges. Digitalisation offers the potential to support and relieve the burden on farmers as they work towards an animal-friendly, labour-efficient and resource-conserving form of agriculture. Digital technology should not, and cannot, replace people; rather, it should serve as a tool to aid decision-making and implementation, as well as making their work easier.
The cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses, alongside other precautions—including those relating to the area outside the house, which are explained below—is essential for maintaining animal health, ensuring safe food production, and achieving good animal performance. Under EU regulations and German law, the livestock owner must ensure that no animal diseases are introduced into or spread from the flock. However, the obligation to clean and disinfect properly applies not only in the event of an outbreak, but also to the routine maintenance of hygiene in the housing facilities before and after each batch. An effective hygiene plan reduces the bacterial load, lowers the number of sick animals and animal losses, and consequently also reduces financial losses.
The Weidenetzwerk aims to bring together livestock farmers and providers of grazing land across Germany, thereby bridging a gap, as the two parties are often unaware of each other’s existence. It was precisely this observation that gave rise to the idea of founding the Weidenetzwerk. The platform is aimed at anyone offering or looking for grazing land.
The use of darkened heating plates (“dark brooders”) in the rearing of day-old chicks and their effect on behaviour and animal welfare during the rearing period and the subsequent fattening and laying periods. A collaborative project between the “Thünen Institute” and “FOUR PAWS International” is investigating the use of dark brooders (DB, darkened heating plates) during the first six weeks of life of organic chicks with regard to behaviour, animal welfare, stress levels, practicality and economic viability.
Hoof health is a key factor in the welfare and performance of sows. Poor hoof health within a herd is also considered a welfare issue and necessitates the implementation of appropriate, targeted measures. Numerous factors relating to housing, breeding, management and feeding, as well as other animal-related factors, influence the health and resilience of the hooves. A systematic analysis of these influencing factors forms the basis for the rapid identification of problem areas and the implementation of targeted preventive measures, thereby enabling the long-term improvement of hoof health in the sow herd.
On 26 and 27 February 2025, the pig farms participating in the ‘Fokus Tierwohl’ network’s pilot scheme met in Borgentreich, North Rhine-Westphalia. The meeting once again provided a valuable platform for professional exchange and practical insights into current developments in animal welfare in pig farming.
The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) is seeking demonstration farms in the model regions on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to participate in the model and demonstration project (MuD) ‘Location- and climate-adapted, sustainable grassland farming’ (short title: MuD GLAKTIV).
Cattle are transported for a wide variety of reasons throughout their lives. The transport of animals is subject to legal requirements and industry standards, which have been repeatedly updated over the years. The aim of these requirements is to ensure the protection of animals during transport and to improve animal welfare.
Germany aims to become climate-neutral by 2045 and to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, including those from the agricultural sector. As a first interim target, ammonia emissions in Germany are to be reduced by 29% by 2030 compared with the reference year 2005. For existing, larger older facilities, the TA Luft also sets out requirements to bring the facilities up to the latest standards from an emissions perspective, known as the refurbishment of older facilities. Existing poultry facilities requiring a permit (under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG)) must, like other livestock facilities, demonstrably reduce their emissions in accordance with the TA Luft requirements. Emissions of ammonia, dust and odours are particularly relevant for poultry farming in closed and forced-ventilated houses.
A report by the Poultry Animal Welfare Competence Centre aims to provide an overview of the already recognised mitigation measures for the various facility sizes in pullet and laying hen farming, as well as an outlook on possible future options.
Germany aims to become climate-neutral by 2045 and to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, including those from the agricultural sector. As a first interim target, ammonia emissions in Germany are to be reduced by 29% by 2030 compared with the reference year 2005. For existing, larger older facilities, the TA Luft also sets out requirements to bring the facilities up to the latest standards from an emissions perspective, known as the refurbishment of older facilities. Existing poultry facilities requiring a permit (under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG)) must, like other livestock facilities, demonstrably reduce their emissions in accordance with the TA Luft requirements. Emissions of ammonia, dust and odours are particularly relevant for poultry farming in closed and forced-ventilated houses.
A report by the Poultry Animal Welfare Competence Centre aims to provide an overview of the already recognised mitigation measures for the various facility sizes in pullet and laying hen farming, as well as an outlook on possible future options.
InnoRind is a nationwide innovation network that brings together research institutions and commercial farms to promote the sustainable development of cattle farming in Germany. Its aim is to pool the country’s existing expertise in livestock farming and to establish a network for cattle farming that draws on the expertise of project participants to develop innovative approaches for sustainable cattle farming in Germany.
Praktikerschulung Kälberhaltung
Abkalbung,
Enthornung,
Abkalbebuchten,
Erstversorgung,
Geburtshilfe,
Impfmanagement,
Kälberfütterung,
Kälbergesundheit,
Stressfrei
21. Apr. 2026 09:00 - 22. Apr. 2026 16:30,
Sächsisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie, Am Park 3, 04886 Arzberg
Die richtige Aufzucht von Kälbern ist der Grundstein für gesunde, leistungsfähige und robuste Rinder. In diesem…
Workshop: AMS-Weide am 22. April 2026 in Grub
AMS und Weidegang,
AMS,
Dies ist eine externe Veranstaltung ausserhalb des Netzwerk Fokus Tierwohl
22. Apr. 2026 09:00 - 15:30,
Grub/Poing
Am 22. April lädt die LfL zu einem AMS-Weide-Workshop nach Grub ein.Der Workshop richtet sich an Landwirtinnen und Landwirte, die bereits Erfahrung mit einem automatischen Melksystem und Weidehaltung…
Stellschrauben der Eutergesundheit
Melken,
Eutergesundheit,
Melktechnik,
Selektives Trockenstellen
22. Apr. 2026 09:00 - 13:00,
Mellingen
Die Eutergesundheit ist bei Milchkühen eine der wesentlichsten tiergesundheitlichen Fragestellungen. Die Entwicklung in der Melktechnik mit zunehmendem Einsatz Automatischer Melksysteme (AMS) eröffnet…
Die optimale Lüftung entscheidet
Lüftung,
Stallklima,
Lüftungstechnik
22. Apr. 2026 09:00 - 16:00,
Lehr- und Versuchszentrum Futterkamp, Gutshof, 24327 Blekendorf
Optimale Lüftung im Schweinestall ist kein Zufall – sie ist planbar und ein entscheidender Faktor für Tiergesundheit, Leistung und Arbeitskomfort.In…
Kühlen Kopf bewahren - Hitzestress beim Schwein
Hitzestress
4. Mai 2026 19:00 - 21:00,
Online
Sommer, Sonne, Sonnenschein… Wird es draußen wärmer, kann im Schweinestall schnell Hitzestress entstehen. Welche Auswirkungen dieser auf die Gesundheit und Leistung von Ferkel, Sau und Mastschwein hat,…
Zweitägige Exkursion für Schweinehaltende Betriebe
Schweinemast,
Ferkelaufzucht,
Artgerechte Haltung und Fütterung,
Haltungssysteme
6. Mai 2026 08:00 - 7. Mai 2026 19:00,
Baden-Württemberg
Der erste Tag startet vom LLH Fritzlar aus nach Boxberg in die Landesanstalt für Schweinezucht. Auf dem Weg gibt es die Möglichkeit für südhessische Betriebe am Autohof Erlensee…
Praktikerschulung Geflügelhaltung
Legehennenhaltung,
Gesundheitsmanagement,
Krankheitsprävention durch Hygienemaßnahmen,
Hühnerkrankheiten
28. Apr. 2026 09:00 - 14:00,
Landwirtschafts- und Umweltzentrum Nossen, Waldheimer Straße 219, 01683 Nossen
Die optimale Betreuung von Legehennen bietet die besten Voraussetzungen für den Tierschutz, für die Gesundheit und dementsprechend…
Webinar: Endo- und Ektoparasiten bei Legehennen
Endoparasiten,
Ektoparasiten,
Legehennenhaltung
29. Apr. 2026 19:00 - 21:30,
Online
Endo- und Ektoparasiten sind ernstzunehmende Schädlinge in der Geflügelhaltung. Sie können Leistungseinbußen, Anämie und im schlimmsten Fall den Tod der Tiere verursachen. Während Ektoparasiten wie z.B.…
NRW Geflügeltag
Geflügel allgemein,
Schadnagerbekämpfung,
Haltungssysteme
5. Mai 2026 09:30 - 16:00,
Haus Düsse, Haus Düsse 2, 59505 Bad Sassendorf
Die Geflügelhaltung steht vor entscheidenden Weichenstellungen. Zwischen steigenden Tierwohlanforderungen, neuen gesetzlichen Vorgaben, technischem Fortschritt und…
