Jörn Bennewitz

Prof. Dr. Jörn Bennewitz is a Full Professor of Animal Genetics and Breeding at the University of Hohenheim, leading the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding. His roles include serving as Chairman of the Society for Animal Breeding Science (GfT e.V.) from 2017–2023 and Vice President of the German Society for Plant Breeding (DGfZ e.V.) since 2018. He holds a diploma in Agricultural Sciences from the Universities of Kiel and Edinburgh, followed by a doctorate and habilitation in livestock genetics at Kiel University. His research focuses on genomic selection strategies, host-microbiota interactions, and resilience in livestock, particularly in dairy cattle and sheep. He was a DFG Heisenberg Fellow (2007–2008) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. His work addresses challenges in animal breeding, including heat tolerance, feed efficiency, and genetic improvement of production traits.

Research interests span genomic analyses of health and production traits, microbiota’s role in animal efficiency, and breeding strategies for crossbred livestock in diverse environments. He has contributed to optimizing breeding programs for German Merino sheep and dairy cattle, leveraging genomic and transcriptomic data. His interdisciplinary approach integrates genetics, microbiology, and agricultural economics to enhance livestock sustainability.

His recent articles highlight advancements in identifying genetic variants for milk yield resilience, analyzing gut microbiota effects on nitrogen utilization, and evaluating heat tolerance in crossbred dairy cattle. Awards include the DFG Heisenberg Fellowship, recognizing his early career contributions. He actively participates in scientific societies and promotes the application of genomic tools to address global agricultural challenges.