First Face-to-Face TechGen4Health Meeting in Bled, Slovenia

Our first face-to-face TechGen4Health meeting took place in Bled, Slovenia, from 11 to 13 May. On the evening of 11 May, we kicked things off with a group dinner to get to know one another. While enjoying a delicious meal, we had some initial interesting conversations.

On the morning of 12 May, we met for the first scientific session. Following a welcome address by Sven König, the project leader, Tatjana Pirman, the Vice Dean of the Animal Science Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, and Maria Klopčič, the local organizer, we got straight into an in-depth project discussion. Each partner had sent at least one representative to attend the project meeting in person. In addition, other project partners were able to participate online. We were particularly pleased that participants from the associated partners FBF (P9, Germany) and CRA-W (P11, Belgium) and a representative from the Slovenian Ministry of Agriculture were present in person, and that Kreavet (P12, Belgium) also took part online.

Each partner began by presenting their planned research and objectives. These were discussed in detail, particularly in the context of effective cross-border networking:

The standardization of analyses of milk samples in the mid-infrared range was presented, and how this can be organized across national borders was discussed. Additionally, the potential applications of on-farm sensors on grazing farms were outlined. The development of ELISA-based bulk tank milk antibody tests has been described. The protocol for faecal-based endoparasite tests was presented, as were the first pilot whole-genome association studies on endoparasite resistance. The possibilities for recording and analyzing climate data and grassland parameters in research herds were presented. The installation of weather stations and the potential use of drones were discussed. Various approaches were presented for analyzing the impact of infection pressure from cows on milk quality and calf health. The possibility of analyzing the survival of endoparasites during manure treatment in a laboratory experiment involving various types of manure was demonstrated. Finally, the participants discussed how to structure the validation of the preventive health management tools developed by all project partners and how to assess their economic impact (cost-benefit analysis model).

Additionally, each of the participating associated partners outlined their potential involvement in TechGen4Health and played a key role in the discussions on the implementation of the work packages.

After lunch together, we set off to visit two family-run dairy farms, whose owners gave us a wonderful insight into their farming practices and were happy to answer all our questions. These were two typical Slovenian dairy farms, one with Holstein cattle and the other with Simmental cattle, both of which have access to pasture and are therefore of interest to the TechGen4Health project.

In the evening, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner together at Bled Castle.

On the morning of 13 May, we focused on the next steps in the work packages of all partners. We discussed the steps that need to be taken to ensure close cooperation between the partners. Additionally, we established how samples, methods and technologies can be shared amongst partners. We also discussed and agreed on future joint analyses and publications.

Special thanks go to the University of Ljubljana and the Slovenian Holstein Association for sponsoring the joint activities during the project meeting.

The photos below offer a little insight into our first face-to-face meeting in Bled, Slovenia.