Experiencing the 76th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) in Innsbruck, Austria

In late August 2025, our Faculty’s and Institute’s members consisting of Prof. Steffi Wiedemann, Prof. Simone Pauling, Mr Arshidin Khassiyarov, Mr Mario Kerst had the opportunity to take part in one of the most significant gatherings in the field of animal science—the 76th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) in Innsbruck, Austria. Set against the breathtaking Alpine backdrop, the conference brought together researchers, professors, educators, and practitioners from across Europe, all united by a common goal: to shape the future of sustainable livestock farming, innovation, and education.

The theme, “Future-proof livestock farming,” resonated deeply with our works. Over the course of five days, the research group attended presentations, engaged in discussions, and shared their works with the international community.

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Prof. Steffi Wiedemann had the honor of delivering an invited talk on her research project “Experiencing Animal Welfare”, followed by a thoughtful panel discussion exploring how gamified learning approaches that can enhance education around animal welfare—an area gaining increasing relevance in both academia and industry.

Prof. Pauling and Mr Kerst presented a scientific poster highlighting their early-stage insect research, titled “Evaluation of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) Production Under Suboptimal Low-Cost Conditions.” This research marks an important step representing a new direction for the group and holds significant potential for future project proposals, particularly in the context of sustainable feed and alternative protein sources.

Throughout the conference, Mr. Khassiyarov and team members engaged in numerous productive discussions with peers and collaborators, gaining valuable insights into the work of other research groups tackling similar challenges. These conversations not only deepened the understanding of current developments in the field but also sparked ideas for future collaborations. The event provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and strategic networking within the broader animal science community.

Looking back, the EAAP 2025 conference was more than just a professional obligation—it was an inspiring experience that reaffirmed the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in building a more sustainable future for animal production.