The second meeting of the poultry impulse farms focused on feed provision for laying hens. It was once again an exciting and informative event with intensive exchanges. The programme included a visit to MAKOBA GmbH & Co. KG in Rastatt and a tour of the Munk family's Lauterhof impulse farm.

At MAKOBA in Rastatt, the participants first received a presentation of the company before they were able to test the Multicracker® themselves in the company's own technical centre. Various feedstuffs such as maize, peas and wheat were crushed there, revealing interesting differences in the processing. These practical impressions provided plenty of topics for discussion: the farm managers exchanged their individual solutions and experiences in feed provision for laying hen farming. The trip
then continued eastwards. During dinner together at the hotel in Weilheim an der Teck, there was ample opportunity for discussions, experience reports and personal exchanges in a relaxed atmosphere.

On the second day, the Munk family welcomed the group to the Lauterhof farm in Owen. Melanie and Andres Munk presented their business and explained its special features. Founded in 2011, the farm produces and markets potatoes and eggs from its own laying hen farm, whose feed is also produced on site. After a tour of the sorting and packaging rooms, the group was also given a glimpse into the barn.
Afterwards, all participants gathered in the seminar room with a view of two laying hen compartments. Over coffee, pretzels and cake, a belated but very personal round of introductions followed, before the farm managers once again had time for intensive discussion. It is precisely this direct dialogue that is particularly valued by the participants, as it enables contacts that would otherwise hardly be possible due to geographical distance.

Author: Gesa Krone, FiBL Deutschland e.V.