SRF Livestock Breeding and Animal Production

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The production of products of animal origin is the most important economic branch of the Swiss agricultural sector. Over 70% of Switzerland’s utilised agricultural area is grassland. This land primarily serves to supply ruminants and horses with a basic ration. Through the conversion of roughage and the production of milk and meat, ruminants in particular supply valuable animal protein for the human diet.

One of the greatest challenges for animal production will be the increased demand for healthy animal products produced with environmental impacts kept to a minimum whilst bearing in mind scarce natural resources and changing climatic conditions. Given its position at the start of the production chain, livestock breeding with modern genomics can make an important contribution to this. We aim to determine and use genetic potential for product quality, resource efficiency and profitability, but we also investigate ways of reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions, thereby also contributing to better protein efficiency. Particular attention is paid to maintaining high genetic diversity within the breeding populations and races in order to ensure livestock adaptability and breeding progress.

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Research Peer

Further Information

Projects of the SRF Livestock Breeding and Animal Production