ENSURE - Data driven strategies to enhance sustainability, resilience and resource efficiency of cattle farming

To address climate change, resource limitations and society's demands for more sustainable forms of production, ENSURE aims to develop strategies, pathways, transformation pathways, recommendations for action, breeding strategies and tools that contribute to future-proof, sustainable cattle farming. Scenarios and strategies will be modeled and developed to proactively shape cattle management through improved resource utilization, feeding optimization, improved animal health, reduced environmental impact, and improved resilience at the system, farm, and animal levels. This is expected to contribute to improved farm profitability and future-proofing, food security, environmental impact and consumer acceptance. The project is divided into two Areas, Area 1 Scenarios and strategies and Area 2, Optimisation Solutions. Within Area 1 the 3 projects "Future-proofing dairy and beef production networks in Austria", "AlPTouR - Alpine Pastures, Tourism and Resilience of cattle management" and "Ensure better breeding to enhance resilience and sustainability" will be worked on and BOKU is involved in all projects. Area 2 includes 5 projects, "Ensure better reproduction, animal health and wellbeing", "Ensure better feeding and reduced emissions: A sustainable approach", "Ensure resilient cows", "Ensure calf health and welfare in sustainable dairy production systems" and "ALMSURE - Ensure animal and environmental health in alpine dairy farming systems", BOKU is involved in all projects but project 8, ALMSURE.