Wageningen Livestock Research
Eggs, meat (including fish) and dairy products must, in the first place, be healthy and tasty, but they must also be produced in a responsible fashion, with proper attention for animal welfare and health. That is precisely what Wageningen Livestock Research stands for: developing the knowledge needed for sustainable and profitable livestock farming.
Our locations
Our institute has extensive facilities for research and innovation. We operate a range of experimental farms for both fundamental and applied research, primarily involving farm animals.
About Wageningen Livestock Research
We work towards livestock farming that benefits everyone: consumers who are satisfied with the animal products, livestock farmers who are proud of their work and have good prospects for the future, animals that thrive in an environment where they live as comfortably as possible, and with care for the environment. This is how we are building the future of animal products and services and of the sector as a whole.
Wageningen Livestock Research provides customised solutions and is NEN-EN-ISO 9001-2015 certified. We have approximately 240 employees and various research facilities throughout the country.
We tackle themes that are the subject of discussion in society and have social impact: animal health and welfare, biodiversity, circularity and climate. All topics that are high on the social agenda and key points in discussions about responsible and sustainable entrepreneurship. Together with the industry, we translate social trends into practical and profitable solutions.
Internationally, nationally and regionally, we are an active initiator, facilitator and participant in networks. We bring together companies, governments, public bodies, ngo’s and knowledge partners. In doing so, we combine the latest scientific insights with professional process design. In close collaboration with our colleagues from the Wageningen department of animal sciences and the agricultural business community, we serve the entire knowledge agenda: from fundamental research to practical application.
Our experts develop innovative and practical solutions that ensure that farm animals have a good and healthy life. A life that meets their natural needs as much as possible. Our team consists of 40 veterinarians, animal scientists, behavioural experts and physiologists.
Core activities
- Use of sensors, real-time monitoring, big data analyses and self-learning algorithms to assess the needs of animals.
- Dashboards with early-warning and decision-support systems, so that a farmer can quickly intervene to guarantee animal welfare
- Connect knowledge on animal welfare and health to give meaning to research results
- We answer questions about the transition to a more sustainable and circular system, taking into account animal welfare
Contact the head of our department Petra Kock.
We offer clients expertise on measuring environmental impacts (both positive and negative) while understanding the underlying processes. Our researchers use scientific knowledge and practical experience to develop livestock farming concepts and solutions for future generations. In addition to substantive expertise, we provide facilitators for innovation processes at system, area and farm level.
Core activities
- Developing profitable livestock farming system innovations and socially desired improvements
- Creating interactive designs at different scale levels
- Knowledge of nature-inclusive types of animal farming, such as agroforestry
- Performing comprehensive environmental impact analyses of animal husbandry (sub)systems
Contact the head of our department Frank Gort.
Our experts offer development opportunities for practical innovations in animal nutrition and feeding systems for all livestock sectors. We collaborate for applied research and our experts are also available for more fundamental research on the individual animal.
Our expertise includes:
- Nutrigenomics, metabolomics and microbiome analysis
- Animal nutrition in relation to environmental footprint (e.g. methane, nitrogen), biodiversity and resource efficiency
- Animal nutrition to support animal health, welfare and behaviour
- Feed value analysis and incorporation of by-products for a circular economy
- Studies into the effectiveness and safety of animal feed additives and new feedstuffs
Contact the head of our department Roselinde Goselink.
We develop knowledge and innovations in the field of greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen, particulate matter and odour from livestock farms and for manure processing and valorisation. Our 40 researchers, project managers, measurement technicians and analysts work in interdisciplinary teams to measure environmental impacts and to understand the underlying processes.
Core activities
- Measuring emissions, we have an air quality and chemical laboratory at our disposal
- Developing cost-effective innovations and socially desired improvements for reduced emissions from barns and a better barn climate
- Finding solutions to make better use of manure and minerals
Contact the head of our department Renée Talens.
Our experts use genetic properties and information on (farm) animals and fish to develop the best possible breeding schemes for the selection of animals. Thus, we contribute to livestock and fish farming innovations, increasing sustainability and improving the economy, environment, animal health, and animal welfare.
Core activities
- Breeding for less environmental impact by a higher feed efficiency and improved intestinal health
- Recording genetic properties for selection purposes
- Developing methods for improved genetic selection
- Designing breeding programmes for more robust farm animals and fisheries
Contact the head of our department Roel Veerkamp.
The livestock international team focuses on valorising our knowledge and technology of in food systems of developing countries and emerging economies. We offer clients unique opportunities to explore future opportunities in livestock development. Our core activities are applied research, training, and advisory services for practitioners and policy makers.
Core activities
- Subsector development – dairy, beef, poultry, aquaculture, pigs and small ruminants
- Sustainable intensification of farming systems
- Circular economy and nutrient cycling
- Efficient animal nutrition
- Resilient animals and farms
- Effective farm management competencies
Contact our team leader, Jan van der Lee.
- Together with university colleagues we form Wageningen University & Research, Animal Welfare & Adaptation.
- Through the lectorate Welfare of Animals at Van Hall Larenstein, we also have a strong link with green vocational education and the Green Knowledge Cooperative.
- Together with the Animal Nutrition Group of Wageningen University and Animal Nutrition Department of Utrecht University we form the Centre for Animal Nutrition.
- Our research activities and services are subsumed into Wageningen University & Research, Animal Breeding & Genomics. In this partnership, we collaborate with the university’s Animal Breeding and Genomics chair group.
- Furthermore, we lead the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN).
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