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Institute
Based in Dummerstorf near Rostock, the Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) operates as a public-law foundation. It is a member of the Leibniz Science Association and conducts basic and applied research into the biology of farm animals.
FBN studies the functional biodiversity of livestock as a basis for domestication and as a key component of sustainable agriculture and food supply. The strategic importance of its research mandate arises primarily from the irreversible process of domestication and the need for people to play an active role in shaping it in order to cope with altered conditions.
Farm animals harbour great potential when it comes to meeting the growing global demand for quality foods of animal origin. It is thus vital that the biodiversity of farm animals be studied under changing husbandry and production conditions. This enables this biological resource to be managed, produced and used in a sustainable manner. The differing adaptation strategies farm animals have developed in order to cope with similar conditions in the course of their evolution are investigated in an effort to understand the genetic and physiological aspects of functional biodiversity and to implement the findings in sustainable breeding and husbandry strategies.
Research Focus
Research on the functional biodiversity of farm animals is made possible by studying their vital processes using an holistic approach which is based on the traits they show in specific environments. Interdisciplinary, coordinated research is the key.
The introduction of programme budgets produced a coherent, cross-sectoral research programme which advances FBN’s systemic research approach and concentrates on the following programme areas:
| PA 01: | Use and Management of the Biological Diversity of Farm Animals Biodiversity is a ‘raw material’ used in breeding and a vital resource in animals’ ability to adapt to altered environmental conditions. Knowledge of biodiversity is a key prerequisite for resource-sparing, environmentally sound production of quality animal-derived foods. | |
| PA 02: | Knowledge and Structuring of Livestock-Environment-Human Interaction Farm animals have to adapt to ever-changing livestock husbandry and production practices. Knowledge of the underlying ethological and physiological mechanisms in coping with stress and their interplay with performance-related regulations is one of the main preconditions for humane, performance-based livestock management. | |
| PA 03: | High Fertility and Resistance to Disease As vitality traits, high fertility and resistance to disease play a key role in animal production. Selection of disease-resistant, robust animals is critical, both to food production and to the success of domestication and breeding efforts. |
FBN is located in Dummerstorf near Rostock. Of its 228 staff positions, 66.5 are held by scientists. A fluctuating number of additional positions are financed from third-party funding.
FBN lays great store in training young scientists. Some 26 FBN researchers are involved in teaching and hold visiting professorships and lectureships at six different universities.
Cooperation with science and industry at national and international level is a key component of the research work performed at FBN. The institute is currently involved in 87 cooperation projects with partners at 188 institutes in 32 countries.