The new doctoral program "PLFDoc – Precision Livestock Farming" relies on state-of-the-art digital technologies in veterinary medicine to enhance animal welfare, animal health, and the management of agricultural livestock. On the kick-off event on December 7, 2023, numerous international participants gathered in the auditorium of Vetmeduni to celebrate the commencement of the doctoral program.

The official kick-off event provided a concise overview of the contents of the PLFDoc program. After welcome speeches by Vetmeduni Vice-Rector Otto Doblhoff-Dier, Peter Ertl, Vice-Rector of TU Wien, and Johannes Kastner, Vice President of FH Oberösterreich, Thomas Norton (KU Leuven) spoke about current applications of sensor technologies and future possibilities for Precision Livestock Farming. The specific details of the collaborative project were presented by Michael Iwersen, Head of the doctoral program at Vetmeduni, Margrit Gelautz (TU Wien), as well as by Viktoria Dorfer and Stephan Winkler (FH OÖ). Johannes Baumgartner (Institute of Animal Welfare Science, Vetmeduni) addressed current challenges in animal husbandry. The event concluded with networking and a buffet.