GenTORE Partners
There are 21 companies and organizations participating in the GenTORE project.
It embraces a multi-actor approach as half of the Consortium members consists of non-academic institutions e.g. breeding associations, trans-national organizations, farm management and veterinary advisory services and farm technology companies. INRAE: INRAE is a large French Agricultural Research Institute which carries out mission oriented research for competitive and sustainable agriculture and a preserved environment. INRAE leads or participates to various EU funded livestock fertility and genomics projects. Five INRAE groups are involved in the project, they work on: modelling approaches to quantify feed efficiency and resilience at animal level (UMR MoSAR), quantitative genetics and genomics (UMR GABI), farm systems modelling (UMR PEGASE), veterinary epidemiology (UMR BioEPAR), and ruminant nutrition (UMRH). 2) aarhus universitet
AARHUS UNIVERSITET: AU-QGG is a research center within the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University. Expertise in the center is very broad within quantitative genetics and cover all from integrative genomics, genomic prediction to breeding schemes and phenomics. Work is done across domesticated animals, plants and humans. AU-QGG is involved in WP4 and WP5 of the GenTORE project. Teagasc is a semi-state organisation responsible for providing integrated research, advisory and education/training services for the agriculture and food industry in Ireland. The Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre has expertise in animal breeding, animal health and welfare, reproductive physiology, milk quality, milking technology, dairy cow nutrition and economic modelling; it is also heavily engaged in knowledge exchange and demonstration through both Teagasc’s extension and education. Moorepark is also strongly linked with the Irish beef and dairy industry. Much of the focus of Teagasc’s research is on exploiting the competitive advantage of low-cost grazed forages in animal production systems. Moorepark undertake research & demonstration on several large research herds as well as undertaking participatory research on many collaborating commercial herds.
LfL, The Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture conducts research focussed on issues of practical relevance and provides applicable solutions for farmers and farmer organisations. LfL is part of an agricultural knowledge transfer system that involves several agricultural advisory services from breeding to animal nutrition and husbandry. The institute for animal nutrition and feed management conducts feeding trials in ruminants and swine mainly with the focus on nutrient requirement and optimized feeding. The institute for animal breeding conducts research on genetic and genomic evaluation systems in cattle, pigs, sheep and horses. It is the official genetic/genomic evaluation center for pigs and dualpurpose cattle breeds.
CITA is a regional institution devoted to R&D and technology transfer in the agricultural sector, to increase its competitiveness and social and environmental sustainability. The Animal Production & Health Unit focuses on the optimisation of sustainable livestock systems, analysing the impact of genetics and management on efficiency and product quality, with emphasis on the use of local resources.
Key Personnel in the project:
EAAP is a federation whose members are national organisations working in the animal science sector from over 35 countries in Europe and the Mediterranean area. EAAP has a long tradition of involvement in training activities for scientists and organizing conferences. EAAP also has extensive experience publishing both at scientific and technical levels. EAAP has developed dissemination activities for many technical themes using online channels such as websites and social media to increase access by scientists and technicians from all over Europe and Mediterranean countries. EAAP has a large database of European and the Mediterranean scientists and research institutes in all aspects of animal science has specific working groups targeted at managing issues related to different aspects of animal science and livestock industry.
Key Personnel in the project:
EFFAB is the main representative organisation for the animal breeding and reproduction industry, representing the European breeders. It started the Farm Animal Breeding and Reproduction Technology Platform and the Animal Task Force. It holds the secretariat office of FABRE TP. The major European breeding organisations are a member of EFFAB (ruminants, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture – ranging from small cooperatives to international organisations). The EFFAB networks encompass a unique stakeholder’s network, including 6,000 contacts ranging from industry experts, scientists, policy makers, politicians to NGOs. EFFAB has been the initiator and coordinator of a range of socio-economic and research directive activities, e.g. socio-economic aspects in animal breeding and animal health genomics, definition of sustainable breeding in a broad society exercise, development and implementation of code of good practice (Code EFABAR) to ensure sustainable breeding programmes but also dissemination of knowledge by linking industry and research, to overcome upcoming challenges in the animal sector.
EFFAB is involved in WP7 (Outreach, dissemination and training) as there lies the organisation’s main expertise. In WP1 (Production system metrics; assessing the systems) EFFAB will help with the stakeholder consultation. Key Personnel in the project:
FiBL is one of the world’s leading organic farming research and technology transfer centres dedicated to sustainable agriculture. With 160 employees, it covers research and development issues in all relevant agricultural disciplines, including socioeconomics and livestock sciences. The Livestock Science Department covers i.a. breeding/genetics and nutrition topics, especially regarding cattle. Based on FiBL's Organic Dairy Farm Research Network, which includes more than 250 private farms, practical farm-based research and development projects are carried out to improve animal health and performance mainly under low-input grassland-based conditions. FiBL Socioeconomics Department has substantial competences in the development and application of sustainability assessment tools at product/supply chain level, farm/company level and territory/policy level. FSK is a private Polish foundation, with the main goal to develop an organic model farm for all kind of needs in the society: research, teaching, learning, and work for disabled people, landscape development, and village development. FSK owns the land, buildings and animals and all properties are rented to the Spolka Juchowo (Juchowo farm). The development of organic and biodynamic farming for Polish and Eastern European conditions through R&D activity is one of the main goals for FSK. The model farm Spolka Juchowo has an area of 1,900 ha. The farm offers the possibility for R&D activity. INRAE Transfert is a fully-owned subsidiary of INRAE founded in 2001 to exploit research results and innovative technologies, and develop them into concrete business opportunities. IT is originally a technology transfer company specialised in the field of innovating technologies arising from agriculture related research. The Europe Department was created in 2004 to strengthening the participation of INRAE in the European Research Area. Its primary mission is to help INRAE researchers and consortia members to set up projects in response to EC calls and to manage them once selected for EC granting. Its team combines scientific background, project management skills and good knowledge of EC programmes. The IT Europe department has a strong expertise in helping researchers in the conception, construction and writing of relevant proposals. IT puts at the GenTORE disposal the expertise held by its Technology Transfer department in: i) Managing technology portfolios through analysing inventions and their environment, searching for industrial beneficiaries, negotiating terms and conditions of technology transfer and, ii) Supporting development of innovative start-up companies by defining a business project around the know-how or patented technology to be transferred; determining IP related results to guarantee conditions for product commercialisation; organising the technology transfer to the innovation company. The French Livestock Institute (IDELE) is the French national technical reference and normative body in livestock farming systems. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization featuring management by livestock farmer’s federations and trade unions. Its activities encompass applied research, technical assistance and technology transfer in cattle, sheep, goats and horses husbandry sciences. The main research topics are genetic evaluation, population management and selection, phenotyping and data collection, management of observatories of breeds, animal husbandry techniques and environment including fodder and pastoralism, quality of animal products, animal health and welfare, farm economics, value chain economics, farm workmanship and social approaches, methods and tools for references and advisory services.
Key Personnel in the project:
12) NOLDUS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Noldus Information Technology is an SME that specializes in developing innovative solutions for the measurement of behaviour. Its first product, The Observer® has an estimated number of 20,000 users worldwide. EthoVision®, a computer vision system for automated behavioural observation, is now in use at more than 2000 locations worldwide. 13) RAFT SOLUTIONS
RAFT is a veterinary-led close to market research organisation owned by Bishopton Veterinary Group, Yorkshire (BVG) & Synergy Farm Health, Dorset (SFH), bringing together over 50 experienced vets & technical support staff. Both practices are also members of XLVets UK (a group of 53 independent vet practices). RAFT provides defined services in R&D, advanced breeding, food futures consultancy & training farmers, vets & industry in key livestock skills & animal health & welfare. RAFT have established connections across the livestock sector & are also founding members of the Centre for Innovation & Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) having been part of the project operations team for its development and inception. RAFT is involved in the GenTORE project in these work packages: WP3: Utilise plug-ins of data sourced from existing/emerging on farm technologies within UK commercial beef & dairy herds via RAFT’s existing phenotyping farm network. WP5: Contribute to recruitment of suitable commercial UK farms & collection of detailed herd data from RAFT’s existing networks. Additionally, veterinary knowledge & expertise; input to construction & evaluation of management tools. WP7: Ensure stakeholder engagement through established industry networks; inform development of on-farm tools. Also, deliver training & demonstration in the use of GenTORE strategies & tools via satellite workshops. 14) NEW MEDRIA
Medria has created technologies and tools that are of high value for on-farm decisions in livestock breeding. Their products focus on monitoring and early detection of reproduction events and health disorders in animals. Medria sensors allow analysing animals vital parameters to make the right decision at the right time. It also allows breeders and to continuously keep track of their animal’ls needs to be able to intervene should the need arise. Medria’s development is a global approach which allows integrating livestock breeding events detection services into a Daily Web Service (DWS). DWS is the platform for remote monitoring via Internet that is the most efficient and convenient for the livestock farmer. DWS was designed to immediately deliver the zootechnical and sanitary stock breeding spreadsheet and the curves for the measurements carried out on animals, and events logs. Considering Medria’s expertise in animal sensor systems, it is mainly involved in the WP3 of the GenTORE project. Moreover, Medria has a technology that allows measuring animal’s temperature by telemetry. 15) SRUC - SCOTLAND'S RURAL COLLEGE
SRUC exists to deliver comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland’s land-based industries, founded on world class and sector-leading research, education and consultancy. The integration of these three complementary ‘knowledge exchange’ services is of significant value to all with an interest in land-based activities. Within the Animal and Veterinary Sciences division (AVS), SRUC's research underpins the development of livestock production systems that are not only economically viable but also environmentally and socially acceptable. SRUC also runs the Edinburgh Genetic Evaluation Services (EGENES), which currently provides genetic evaluations for UK dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep (on behalf of the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Authority). The SRUC component of GenTORE consists of members of 1) the Animal Breeding and Genomics Team (part of AVS), 2) Integrative Animal Science Team (AVS), who use modelling and big data-driven biology to address the inter-relationships between climate change and agriculture (impacts, adaptation and mitigation), and 3) Land Economy and Environment, who specialise in the development of sustainable agricultural systems, environmental economics and climate policy. 16) DLO - STICHTING DIENST LANDBOUWKUNDIG ONDERZOEK - WAGENINGEN RESEARCH
Wageningen Research (DLO) consists of a number of specialised institutes for applied research in the domain of healthy food and living environment. DLO collaborates with the legal entity Wageningen University under the external brand named Wageningen University & Research (Wageningen UR). Wageningen UR is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. Two expertise groups within DLO are involved in GenTORE. First one is Wageningen Environmental Research (WER), and teh second one is Wageningen Livestock Research (WLR). Both WLR and WER have a long track record of coordination and participation in EU projects. WER (Spatial Knowledge Systems) has over 40 years of experience in satellite remote sensing and its application in agriculture. Research has resulted in many science-based operational algorithms for efficient handling of satellite data, including their application for biomass monitoring. With the advent of Sentinel, and its national precursor the National Satellite Data portal, WER will bring in its expertise in EO data handling. Alterra has worked on many applications and applied science projects towards the use of satellite navigation for agricultural and ecological projects. WLR has a strong international reputation in Animal science, including genetics, and precision livestock farming.
WLR brings both the expertise in genetics and precision livestock farming in the GenTORE project. 17) sLU -SVERIGES LANTBRUKSUNIVERSITET
Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) is participating in GenTORE by members of the department of Animal Breeding and Genetics (HGEN) and other departments at SLU, representing two distinct units: Future Agriculture and Interbull Centre. SLU’s mission is to develop the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. Future Agriculture – animals, crops and land use is an interdisciplinary research platform at SLU, where researchers perform future studies aiming for a more sustainable agriculture and food production. The work is done in close contact with stakeholders. Interbull Centre (ITBC) is an operational unit for ICARs Interbull permanent sub-committee, and provides genetic information services and applied research for improvement of livestock to a worldwide network. ITBC is also the European Union Reference Laboratory for Zootechnics (EURL-Z). During the project ITBC provides database management expertise, and acts as a data quality assurance centre. 18) VIKINGGENETICS
VikingGenetics is an AI-coop owned by dairy farmers in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. It runs the breeding program for Holstein, Jersey and VikingRed in the three countries. It produces semen and sells it in more than 50 countries worldwide. VikingGenetics has implemented state of the art technology within sexed semen and genomic selection. VikingGenetics strives to be innovative, trustworthy and first movers in order to create value for its customers.
VikingGenetics are working on developing genomic feed efficiency and resilience models, improving genomic prediction and implementing new genomic tools to farmers for improved management. VikingGenetics is involved in WP2, WP4 and WP5. Key Personnel in the project:
19) ALLICE - UNION NATIONALE DES COOPERATIVES AGRICOLES D'ELEVAGE ET D'INSEMINATION ANIMALE
ALLICE is a union of cooperatives unifying all French ruminant selection and AI companies as well as AWE, a Belgian selection company. As an umbrella organization, Allice acts as a lobby to defend the AI sector and as a platform to increase and coordinate collaboration between its members. ALLICE carries out R&D projects to help improve breeding programs and services, with the aim to increase livestock breeding sustainability. ALLICE has acquired expertise in reproductive physiology, embryos biotechnologies, genomics and metabolomics. Its experimental farm is dedicated to reproduction phenotyping and IVF improvement. ALLICE took part in many research projects in structural and functional genomics. Allice is also involved in dissemination through popular scientific writing and its sector publication (BTIA) as well as technical support and training for its members. 20) UDL - UNIVERSIDAD DE LLEIDA
University of Lleida provide high standards of teaching with quality services throughout the university community that reach society beyond the campus gates. The Department of Animal Science is responsible for organizing and developing the teaching and research of the fields of Anatomy and Pathological Comparative Anatomy, Animal Health and Animal Production. One of the research lines is the impact of animal genetics and management on technical efficiency and product quality, with special emphasis on the modelling of livestock systems.
UdL is involved in modelling tools to predict outcomes of possible future scenarios (WP6) and analysing residual productive lifespan (WP2).
21) UNIPD - UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA
In Padova University (UNIPD), The Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health provides education and generates knowledge in the field of livestock husbandry and health, food safety, pets care and wildlife. The livestock management and welfare working group of UNIPD is internationally recognized for studies on the relations between feeding, production and housing systems and cattle health and welfare.
In WP1, UNIPD contributes to the identification of cattle production systems in Europe and factors challenging or fostering cattle resilience and efficiency. In WP3, UNIPD is going to carry out in a selected commercial dairy and beef farms the testing of novel technologies for phenotyping cattle resilience and efficiency under Southern European environment. UNIPD also contributes to the training and dissemination of the main project outcomes in the area of Southern Europe within the WP7 action plan. Key Personnel in the project:
The following third parties are involved:
External stakeholders will be involved in all stages of the project playing a key role for its innovation, from tool design to dissemination. The inclusion of stakeholders from the beginning of the project is an added value as it will bring in many more ideas and views. It also means all outputs will be fit for purpose and be immediately relevant to what is happening in daily practice on beef and dairy farms. These stakeholders represent farm managers, the breeding industry, farm technology developers, veterinary services, farm system advisors and scientists. |
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