Gewählte Doctoral Thesis:

Florian Bernardi (2015): Tiergesundheit und Wohlergehen von Bioschweinen in Österreich und Evaluierung der Implementierung von Betriebsentwicklungsplänen hinsichtlich Fütterung und Ökonomie.
Doctoral Thesis - Institut für Nutztierwissenschaften (NUWI), BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur, pp 143. UB BOKU obvsg FullText

Data Source: ZID Abstracts

Abstract:

The aims of the thesis were (1) to analyse the status quo of 60 organic pig farming in Austria, (2) to analyse and to evaluate the improvement potential with regard to the feeding regime and (3) to evaluate the economic impact of animal health and welfare planning. (1) Based on average incidence and prevalence of animal based parameters, the health and welfare state of the different animal groups was mostly considered satisfactory. There was a pronounced variability between farms and on some farms problems were identified. For each animal group and across animal groups, mostly 2 clusters of farm were identified, which were characterised by either the absence or presence of specific problems. (2) Feeding rations for the different animal categories were calculated and compared with recommendations regarding nutrient requirements. Especially the rations for lactating sows and piglets did not always fulfil the recommendations. Compared with the baseline situation, the amino acid ratio in feed for pregnant sows as well as the lysin-energy ratio in fattening pig rations significantly improved in farms with feeding-related goals. (3) To evaluate the economic effect of the development plans, gross margins of breeding and fattening farms were compared between the year before the first farm visit and the project year. When specifically aiming at economic improvement gross margins not significantly increased in both breeding and fattening farms, the most pronounced though effect was found in farms, which had fully implemented respective measures. The present thesis (partly) identified a need for improvement in animal health and welfare in Austrian organic pig farms. Farm development plans for animal health and welfare may be used to identify farm specific problems and to set individual goals to improve them. Regarding feeding strategies and economics, potential for improvement has been shown, mostly no significant changes were found.

Betreuer: Winckler Christoph

1. Berater: Leeb Christine

2. Berater: Zollitsch Werner

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