Profile

Research in animal disease handling and animal health and welfare promotion, especially in organic dairy herds. Development of methods for clinical recordings of the health and welfare condition of the animals.

Description of animal welfare and development of methods to assessment of and dialogue about the animals’ health condition, disease occurrence and welfare, with particular emphasis on the organic principles and values such as naturalness, harmony and human care for the animals.

Action research and qualitative research focusing on advisory service, daily care taking and management routines, as well as farmers and farm related actors’ choices, perceptions of animal welfare, their own role in the farming community, herd management, development, legislation and relations between different aspects of animal husbandry and organic farming.

European and global organic farming, diversity in farming conditions and approaches, challenges related to standard development and different approaches to the principles and values in organic farming. Connected to this participation in more EU funded Network and collaboration with international research teams and organisations.

Development of farmer groups e.g. in terms of Stable Schools and Farmer Field Schools, with focus on situated and transformative learning, empowerment and legitimate peripheral participation in a common development including development of the surrounding local community.

Research in tropical livestock farming, in particular smallholder dairy farming, with particular focus on tick borne diseases, mastitis and management strategies and routines, and with strong focus on farmer field school development. Research and development of the Farmer Field School concept to different local contexts.