On 21–26 September 2025, representatives of the National Research Institute of Animal Production went on a study trip to two leading European research units: the Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf (Germany) and the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Aarhus University (Denmark, Foulum campus).
The main purpose of the trip was to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of assessing and improving the welfare of farm animals. During their visits to the research centres, the participants learned about current research projects, including animal behaviour monitoring and the assessment of physiological and behavioural welfare indicators. Particular attention was paid to innovative animal observation systems that enable the assessment of animal welfare.
Another element of the programme was learning about modern technologies for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, nitrous oxide, and ammonia. These studies allow for the assessment of the impact of different animal housing systems not only on the environment but also on animal welfare, as reducing environmental burdens translates into improved living conditions for animals.
The visit also included tours of experimental farms where research is conducted on the impact of different animal housing systems on animal welfare and the environment. The solutions presented focused not only on improving production efficiency, but also on reducing environmental stress and raising animal care standards.
The trip contributed to a significant increase in the scientific and practical competence of the participants, enabling them to learn about the latest trends in European research on animal welfare and sustainable animal husbandry. Direct contact with experts and the opportunity to observe modern research infrastructure allowed them to broaden their knowledge of welfare assessment, environmental tools, and research work organization. The participants unanimously emphasized the high practical value of the visit and the need to implement similar solutions in national research projects carried out by the National Research Institute of Animal Production.
The study visit also resulted in the establishment of new international contacts and the identification of potential areas for project cooperation, in particular in the field of environmental monitoring, farm animal welfare, and innovative solutions in the organization of experimental farms.
