Sustainable Livestock Husbandry and Animal Health Management
Head of the chair: Prof. Dr. med. vet. Markus Freick
About us
The Chair of Sustainable Livestock Husbandry and Animal Health Management at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is dedicated to the development of husbandry systems for farm animals by scientific and practice-oriented approaches. Our work focuses on animal health, animal welfare, environmental compatibility, and the economic viability of modern animal husbandry.
Our research follows an interdisciplinary approach that combines biological, veterinary, agricultural, and social aspects. The goal is to develop innovative strategies that enable sustainable animal production – both with regard to climate protection and resource conservation, and society's expectations for ethically responsible animal husbandry.
Within our agricultural science degree program, we offer practice-oriented teaching based on the latest research. At the same time, we maintain close collaborations with farms, authorities, and partners from research and practice to translate scientific findings into practical applications.
Our team is committed to inspire young people about the challenges and opportunities of livestock farming in the future and to contribute actively to the development of a sustainable agricultural sector.
News
Excursion to the Erfurt bull station – practical insights into reproduction techniques
As part of the master's module “Applied Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology of Farm Animals,” students of the MLU Halle-Wittenberg visited the Qnetics GmbH bull station in Erfurt on December 9, 2025. An introduction to the structure and operational processes of the station was followed by a presentation of bulls of various breeds and a presentation jump by a bull. In the laboratory, the students were then able to observe the processing and quality control of the ejaculate obtained – a practical insight into the central steps of reproductive biotechnology.
After a light lunch, a specialist lecture shed light on the topic of “Sustainable animal breeding from the perspective of Qnetics.” The focus was on animal health, breeding strategies, and the responsibility of modern livestock farming. The excursion provided valuable insights into the connection between scientific principles and practical application and strengthened the understanding of sustainable breeding concepts. We would like to express our special thanks to the station veterinarian, Ms. Tschada, and all the employees of Qnetics.
Excursion to the 129th Lipsia Federal Show – Informative insights into the diversity of purebred pigeons
As part of the “Poultry Breeds” exercise in the elective module on poultry farming, agricultural science students from MLU Halle-Wittenberg visited the 129th Lipsia Federal Show at the Neue Messe Leipzig exhibition center. Due to the current avian influenza situation, only pigeons could be presented this year, but the approximately 26,000 animals on display offered an impressive variety of breeds and color varieties. The students thus gained a comprehensive insight into breeding goals, characteristic features, and evaluation criteria in purebred poultry breeding.
A highlight of the excursion was the expert and entertaining tour led by Dr. Manfred Golze, who answered questions with great enthusiasm and discussed the special features of the individual breeds. Free admission for the students was made possible thanks to the support of the Leipzig Purebred Poultry Breeders' Association – for which we are very grateful. The excursion provided valuable practical additions to the course and impressively demonstrated the contribution that purebred poultry farming can make to biodiversity, breeding traditions, and animal observation.
Hands-on training for students at the LLG Iden: Insights into practical livestock farming
As part of the mandatory module "Introduction to Animal Science – Sub-module: Animal Husbandry and Hygiene," a three-day seminar on livestock farming (September 22-24, 2025) was held for second-semester agricultural science students at the Center for Animal Husbandry and Technology in Iden. Experts from the State Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture provided insights into the pig, cattle, and sheep farming practices at the training and research facility. Topics included comparisons of different husbandry systems, animal assessment, artificial insemination, animal handling, and milk production. The practical training sessions gave students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge directly to real animals and in modern farming systems. This allowed them to acquire important skills for their future careers and gain practical experience with typical tasks in livestock farming. Through direct instruction by experts, the students also gained valuable insights into current issues in animal husbandry and hygiene, thus strengthening the link between university knowledge and agricultural practice.
Our pigeons arrived
In the past, almost every farm had a dovecote to enrich the menu with pigeon meat. Recently, pigeons have also been allowed to be kept at the research station in Merbitz/Naundorf. We initially chose Hubbel pigeons, named after their breeder, Dr. G. M. Hubbel, which are classified as king pigeons. Hubbel pigeons have a full, meaty chest and are therefore very well suited as fattening pigeons. Although fattening pigeons currently play no role in commercial livestock farming in Germany, they are kept privately and on organic farms as a source of meat. Pigeon meat is – low in cholesterol and fat – very digestible and healthy. For this reason alone, a revival in German cuisine would be worthwhile.