Tag Archives: factory farming

Research at the Weihenstephan campus combines animal welfare with agricultural practice

By | October 1th 2026
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Typical turkey farming in extremely confined spaces. Credits: Mark Stebnicki, pexels

At the Weihenstephan campus of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), Prof. Dr. Dr. Eva Zeiler and Dr. Theresa Hautzinger from the Faculty of Sustainable Agricultural and Energy Systems have been working on the topic of animal welfare for several years. In research projects, they investigate forms of calf rearing, methods for assessing the well-being of farm animals, and ways to combine ecological and economic requirements. For a long time, the focus was on… Read more »

October 1st is World Farm Animal Day: a commemorative day without any change in thinking.

By | October 1th 2026
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Poor pigs: crammed together in the tightest of spaces, without bedding or exercise. Credits: Mark Strebnicki, pexels

COMMENTARY World Farm Animal Day falls at a time when industrial animal farming is not just a matter of taste, but also of land use, climate, and distribution policies. In Germany, an estimated 54,9 kilograms of meat per capita were consumed in 2025; in 2024, 6,1 million tons of meat, or 72,5 kilograms per capita, were available on the market, a figure that also accounts for losses… Read more »

Research project AkuMonit aims to achieve greater animal welfare and efficiency for aquaculture

By | April 8, 2025
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AkuMonit, credits: August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute

The AkuMonit project at the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute (AWSi) is developing an intelligent, acoustics-based monitoring system for livestock facilities. By using artificial intelligence, it enables continuous monitoring of animal sounds to improve animal welfare and increase operational reliability. The system detects abnormalities in animal behavior or health at an early stage, allowing farmers to take proactive measures. AkuMonit contributes… Read more »

foodwatch warns: Brussels wants to facilitate the import of injured salmon

By | April 7, 2025
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Credits: Abdurrahman TEPE, pexels

Last year alone, around 103 million salmon died before being slaughtered in Norway, reports foodwatch. The independent organization, which specializes in uncovering food scandals, has long criticized the catastrophic conditions in aquaculture breeding cages. Instead of enforcing stricter regulations for this "underwater factory farming," the EU Commission, according to foodwatch, now wants to ban the import of sick and... Read more »

Animal cruelty at dairy farm again: ANINOVA files criminal complaint

By | April 2, 2025
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Credits: ANINOVA eV

ANINOVA has obtained extensive video footage from one of the largest cattle farms in Brandenburg. The dairy farm in Brüssow, Uckermark district, houses approximately 1.000 animals. The filmed abuses are serious. Hidden cameras have documented employees abusing cows and calves over a period of months. Cows are primarily beaten and kicked with sticks, often... Read more »

Greenhouse gas research: Direct measurement of methane is now possible

By | March 27, 2025
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Credits: ESA/ATG medialab

Monitoring and understanding the diverse sources and sinks of greenhouse gases worldwide in real time is more important than ever in light of advancing climate change. One focus is on regulating and monitoring human-caused methane emissions. Laser systems, such as those developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer ILT, offer solutions here: As the core component of LIDAR instruments, they can pinpoint the location and… Read more »

Project ideas sought: Sustainable housing systems in animal husbandry

By | January 7, 2025
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(Credits: Hayana Fernanda/pexels)

The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is funding project ideas for future-oriented husbandry and management systems and methods that improve animal welfare while simultaneously being climate-friendly, environmentally sound, and economically viable. Applications can be submitted online to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) until April 2, 2025. The publication of the “Announcement on the Funding of Innovations in… Read more »