Can lab-grown meat save the climate, how is a calf born and do pigs actually have a personality? The staff of the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) will provide answers to these and many other questions at the open day in Dummerstorf.
The FBN and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Research Centre for Agriculture and Fisheries (LFA) are inviting visitors of all ages to discover the more than 20 activity stations across the entire site from 10 am to 4 pm. Researchers will provide all interested parties with information on current issues in livestock research and offer exciting insights into their work.
‘The Open Day is the best opportunity for us to present the entire spectrum of our research,’ says director Prof Klaus Wimmers. ‘Our research topics range from the inheritance and expression of characteristics and abilities of animals to their behaviour and questions of animal, environmental and climate protection. On 21 September, we will be presenting all these aspects of livestock research. We cordially invite everyone to explore the FBN and talk to our researchers.’
Participation encouraged
Activity stations throughout the campus are waiting to be discovered and explored. Visitors can touch, see, hear and, finally yet importantly, taste what is on offer in the buildings. Exciting short presentations provide knowledge about courageous fish and optimistic pigs, the history of milking and edible insects. The oxidation of carbohydrates from food can be measured, as can your own stress level. Behavioural biology experts explains what the sounds made by pigs reveal about their mood and everyone can try out the tests on the goat learning computer, which the African dwarf goats also complete at the FBN. Anyone interested in current jobs or training opportunities at the FBN can find out more at the careers stand. A special highlight awaits young and old gourmets in the conference centre: with the help of nitrogen, everyone can make their own ice cream to their own taste.
The large animal operating theatre opens its doors, as does the soldier fly laboratory, where the maggots of these special farm animals hatch. During guided tours of the cowshed or pigsty, visitors learn interesting and special facts about animal husbandry. A Kremser wagon takes guests on the tour of the experimental pig facility to the barn about one kilometre away. Participation in the guided tours is possible with a free ticket, which guests receive at the central information point at the main entrance.
Quiz rallye across the entire site
The central element of the event is the knowledge safari: quiz questions on various topics are waiting to be answered at 12 stations. Different questions are prepared for adults and children. Participants collect a stamp with every correctly answered question. Stamp cards for the knowledge safari are also available at the information point.
Indoor and outdoor attractions
There is a lot to discover not only in the houses, but also on the grounds: the volunteer fire brigade is on site with bouncy and water-spraying games as well as hearty food from the field kitchen. In addition, several barbecues, a trolley with regional delicacies, a confectionery mobile and two cake bazaars will provide guests hungry for knowledge with a variety of food. If you feel like relaxing after so much research and knowledge, you will find plenty of opportunities to do so on the extensive meadows - you are welcome to bring your own picnic blankets.
Admission is free.
Programme points:
- Guided tours of the pig and cattle barn, as well as the animal technology center (central veterinary medicine and research center)
- Lectures by FBN scientists on topics relating to climate change, behavior, alternative protein sources and genetics
- Continuous presentations on topics such as:
- Training/studies/careers at the FBN
- The FBN as an extracurricular place of learning
- Understanding animal experiments
- Learning on the goat monitor
- The mood in the voice
- Cultivated meat
- Insects as food and feed
- Methane and cows
- Fish larvae and aquaculture
- Measuring glucose oxidation from dietary carbohydrates
- Rumen microorganisms under the microscope
- How saliva and hair reveal our stress
- How do you get the cortisol out of your hair?
- From egg cell to embryo
- Entertainment:
- Quiz - knowledge safari with small prizes
- Dummerstorf fire department: water spraying and bouncy games
- Bouncy castle
- Varied supply of food and drinks
Open day: hands-on livestock research!
Saturday, 21.09.2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 16:00 h
FBN Campus Dummerstorf
Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2
18196 Dummerstorf
