EIP Project Berg-Milchvieh: Sustainable Dairy Farming Solutions in Alpine Regions

This project evaluates sustainable construction and expansion solutions for small dairy farms in the Austrian Alps, focusing on challenging soil and mountainous conditions. It assesses economic, environmental, and animal welfare impacts through before-and-after analysis using indicators like working time per cow, ammonia emissions, and animal housing potential. Key outcomes include a viable 'expansion concept' for small farms, improved feed management integration, and measurable reductions in nitrogen and ammonia emissions. The FarmLife-Welfare-Index and layout plans for stall extensions with pasture access (over 1,500 m) were used to evaluate welfare and efficiency. Conducted from 2019–2022 under the EIP Berg-Milchvieh initiative, the project involved agricultural chambers from nine Austrian regions.