ZirKUH
Circular cattle farming systems in Hesse to strengthen regional value chains
for dairy and beef
Funding organisation: Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Viticulture, Forestry, Hunting and Homeland as part of the hessian ecoactionplan 2020-2025
Period: 2024-2027
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Lutz Breuer, Prof. Dr. Andreas Gattinger
Staff: Dr. Lisa Petzoldt, Dr. Stafanie Reith and M.Sc. Johannes Zeidler
Aim and Challenge
In livestock farming there is a demand for innovative systems and practicable solutions that combine the requirements of sufficient animal products, economic viability, while at the same time, protecting resources and the environment, as well as supporting animal welfare. Circular livestock farming systems offer great potential for combining these requirements, as both ecological and socio-economic benefits can be exploited to a greater extent. It is based on the principles of the circular economy. However, it extends these by considering different areas of impact with their direct and indirect effects (e.g. prevention of land competition, energy recovery, local feeds).
This project will systematically develop the research field of "circular livestock farming systems". Based on life cycle assessment and sustainable performance accounting of Hessian cattle farms, circularity options and optimization potentials are derived, and practicable circular cattle farming approaches are made available for practical application. With the establishment of the ZirKUH-network in the participatory living lap approach, important preliminary work is prepared for the Innovation Centre for Agricultural System Transformation (IAT).
Project structure
The project is structured in three work packages (WP1-3)
WP1 Project coordination & Options of Circular Cattle Farming
Contact: Dr. Lisa Petzoldt (Post-doc)
Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
Interdisciplinary Research Center (iFZ)
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32
35392 Giessen
lisa.petzoldt@umwelt.uni-giessen.de
WP2 Life cycle assessment
Contact: Johannes Zeidler (PhD student)
Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
Interdisciplinary Research Center (iFZ)
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32
35392 Giessen
Fon: 01575-4878564
WP3 Sustainability assessment & regional performance calculation
Contact: Dr. Stefanie Reith (Post-doc)
Justus-Liebig-University GiessenInterdisciplinary Research Center (iFZ)
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32
35392 Giessen
stefanie.reith@umwelt.uni-giessen.de
ZirKUH activities
find here information about conferences, events, theses and more
Project associates & funding
Affiliated chairs
Chair of Landscape, Water and Biogeochemical Cycles - Prof. Dr. Lutz Breuer 
Chair of Organic Agriculture with focus on sustainable soil use - Prof. Dr. Andreas Gattinger 