Introduction
The Department of Animal Science is the leading expert and research group in livestock farming in Slovenia. Our work encompasses cattle breeding, pig farming, and beekeeping.
Our multidisciplinary team of experts enables us to address current challenges in animal production and processing through research, while indirectly supporting crop production through animal feed research and pollinator services.
The foundation of our technical expertise is a centralized database gathering comprehensive data on selection, nutrition, parentage, and yield performance. We digitize existing datasets and develop dedicated tools to assist stakeholders, including both livestock breeders and decision-makers.
We advise, train, and guide stakeholders while providing key information to the public, including up-to-date assessments of the environmental footprint of livestock farming.
Areas of work
Genetics and Breeding: - Maintenance of herdbooks, data collection, and production recording management - Genetic analysis, parentage verification, and determination of monogenic traits and diseases - Research in selection, design, and optimization of breeding programs, and bioinformatics
Meat and Meat Product Quality: - Assessment of meat quality and carcass traits in cattle and pigs - Analysis of the impact of breeding conditions, nutrition, and processing on meat quality
Animal Nutrition: - Ruminant nutrition and quality assessment of forage using the NIRS method - Development of NIRS calibration equations, evaluation of feed energy value, and grassland and grazing trials
The Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Unit - Management of Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Inventories - Preparation of nitrogen and phosphorus balances, water protection through the use of hygienized fertilizers.
Digitalization and Information Systems - Digitalization of animal science databases - Development of information systems and user support
Consultancy - Consultancy, preparation of reports, and operational programs.
Infrastructure
Public services
Associates
Head of department
Assistant Professor Janez Prešern, PhD
A biologist by training, his research interests focus on the behavior and physiology of bees and other insects, as well as the evaluation of their ecosystem services. He gained professional and research experience both in Slovenia (National Institute of Biology; Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana) and abroad (University of Missouri, USA; Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany). His previous work centered on sensory physiology and information processing in the central nervous system, whereas his current research focuses on bee reproductive behavior and the valuation of pollinator ecosystem services. He serves as Head of the Department of Animal Science at KIS and leads the Beekeeping Research Group, directing its expert and research activities.
Researchers
Žan Pečnik
Responsible for tasks related to the calculation of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, evaluation of mitigation factors, and implementation of methods for predicting novel traits with an emphasis on milk MIR spectroscopy. Also contributes to the development of the CPZ Govedo database. In their free time, researches the genomics of nitrogen excretion in cattle.
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Professional and technical staff
