Institute of Animal Husbandry was established by changes in organisational structure of the Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources on September 1, 2021 by merging of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Small Animal Science and the Department of Veterinary Sciences together. The main role of the Institute is to integrate and creatively develop educational, scientific and research activities in the field of animal breeding, reproduction and production of animal commodities. The Institute plays a key role in shaping the professional profile of graduates of multiple study programs, including Hippology, Management of Animal Production, Special Animal Breeding and General Agriculture at the bachelor´s degree. Management of Animal Production, Special Animal Breeding and Genetic Technologies in Agrobiology at the master´s degree, as well as Special Animal Production and Animal Production at the doctoral degree. Institute subsequently acts in profiling students in study programs of all degrees at all faculties of the university. The institute includes workplaces where practical teaching and implementation of scientific research activities take place. These workplaces include Experimental Centre of Animal Husbandry, Equestrian Centre, University Apiary, University Vivarium, Minizoo, Falconry, Training Hunting District Nitra – Dvorčany, Training Hunting district Gapel and cattle, sheep, goat, horses, pigs, poultry, fish, hunting and special breeding sampling locations. The research activities of the institute focus on basic and applied research in the field of breeding and reproduction of farm animals, pollinators, freshwater fish, game and exotic species of animals, with the emphasis on the production of healthy animal commodities. The institute cooperates with all relevant breeding associations, institutions of the state and several domestic and foreign professional and scientific workplaces in providing teaching and scientific research tasks. The staff of the institute is actively involved in the activities of scientific councils, trade unions and selection commissions for individual livestock types and works closely with professionals from the field of breeding. At the same time, they participate in the organization of breeding events as well as numbers of scientific conferences and seminars.
Teaching activities
The Institute of Animal Husbandry provides teaching of subject aimed at the development and application of the results of biological sciences, as well as technological procedures in the rationalization of breeding and reproduction of farm, exotic, social and wild animals in the conditions typical for European Union as well as sustainable agriculture.
Research activities
The research activities of the Institute of Animal Husbandry are carried out within the frame of domestic and international research projects focused on breeding, production and reproduction of farm, social and wild animals. Particularly:
- Evaluation of direct and indirect utility properties as well as reproductive parameters of livestock;
- Evaluation of ethological parameters and production indicators of livestock with the aim to apply the principles of welfare;
- Comparison of breeding and technological systems of livestock in relation to increased efficiency and quality of animal products;
- Assessment of the influence of internal and external factors on the biological, reproductive and performance parameters of horses;
- Evaluation of effects of toxic and hazardous substances on animals´ reproduction parameters as well as quality of animal products;
- Replacement of antibiotic stimulators used for poultry growth with natural substances;
- Trophic disposition of forest ecosystem from the aspect of game nutrition and testing of progressive game management systems;
- Assessment of water quality and ichthyological survey;
- Investigation of bee colony death causes;
- Production of quality and safe foods in livestock, poultry, beekeeping, rabbit farming, aquaculture and hunting sectors.
Cooperation with practice
The Institute of Animal Breeding cooperates intensively with breeders´ associations (Slovak Association of Pig Breeding, Slovak Association of Horse Breeding, Slovak Association of Sheep and Goat Breeding, Slovak Holstein Association, Slovak Association of Pinzgau Cattle Breeding, Association of Slovak Spotted Cattle Breeders, Association of Meat Cattle Breeding, Slovak Breeding Association, Slovak Beekeeping Association (and others); state institutions (National Agricultural and Food Centre, Slovak Breeding Services, National Stud Farm in Topoľčianky (and many others); domestic and foreign universities and research centres (Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Technical University in Zvolen, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Mendel University of Brno, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno, University of Technology and Science Bydgoszcz, Pedagogical University of Kraków, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, European University in Brittany, Agriculture Science University in Timisoara, Georg-August University in Göttingen, Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Animal Husbandry in Poing, Wageningen University and multiple others as well as with international associations (European Federation of Animals Sciences, International Honey Commission, World Poultry Science Association, EurBee etc.).
