On 4–5 September 2025, the Department of Cattle Breeding of the National Research Institute of Animal Production celebrated the 75th anniversary of its establishment at the Experimental Station of the National Research Institute of Animal Production in Pawłowice near Leszno. The celebrations were accompanied by a national conference entitled “Contemporary cattle breeding in the changing climatic conditions of Poland,” to which representatives of all research, advisory, and production centres were invited, as well as individual farmers who have been cooperating with the Department for many years in the field of research, implementation, and routine assessment of cattle breeding value. In total, over 150 people representing 49 institutions and farms took part in the celebrations.
As part of the two-day celebrations, the Department of Cattle Breeding prepared numerous lectures presenting current research trends. A wide range of guests and speakers were invited to present their views on the further development of dairy and beef cattle breeding. During nine thematic panels, a total of 23 lectures were presented, covering, among others, issues related to breeding value assessment, the impact of environmental conditions on breeding, the role of education and extension services, technological challenges in production, and the importance of prophylaxis and prevention in the face of contemporary threats. There were also topics related to the latest solutions in Agriculture 4.0, ecological models of cattle breeding, as well as programmes for the conservation of genetic resources of cattle and other animal species associated with this field. Thus, almost all key issues related to cattle breeding in the changing environmental conditions of Poland were addressed.
The lectures were accompanied by a poster presentation of the Department’s latest projects, prepared in the beautiful interiors of the palace in Pawłowice. The programme also included two special events. The first took place in the dairy cattle barn, where the original design of the MELKENS feed pusher robot, co-created with the participation of the Cattle Breeding Department, was presented for the first time. This demonstration aroused great interest among the conference participants. The second event was an extraordinary journey through the history of the Palace in Pawłowice – a tour of the historic rooms, led by Jarosław Wawrzyniak, Director of the Experimental Station in Pawłowice.
In the evening, guests had the opportunity to meet in a less formal atmosphere during an integration bonfire, with music and regional cuisine, in which lamb dishes were particularly appreciated.
The conference was not only an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences, but also to renew acquaintances, strengthen cooperation, establish new contacts, and make joint plans for the future. Numerous opinions from participants indicate that all these goals were fully achieved.
A short report from the conference is available on the NRIAP Experimental Station Pawłowice website https://fb.watch/CcSnXkI-i2/
We also invite you to view an extensive gallery of the event
