Matthias Gauly

Matthias Gauly is a Tenured Full Professor of Animal Science at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, leading the Animal Science group within the Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences. His career includes roles as Full Professor and Chair of Livestock Production Systems at the University of Göttingen (until 2014) and prior positions at the University of Gießen, where he earned his Habilitation in Animal Science. He holds dual PhDs in Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine.

Research focuses on functional traits in livestock breeding, animal health/welfare interactions with production systems, and sustainable agriculture. Key themes include parasite control using phytochemicals, breed-specific adaptations to environmental conditions (e.g., semi-arid regions), and optimizing mountain dairy farming systems for environmental efficiency. He actively advises government bodies (German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection) and professional organizations like the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP).

Recent work emphasizes biosecurity practices in small-scale mountain farms, methane emissions in dairy systems, and economic viability of beef production in alpine regions. His publications frequently address breed comparisons, grazing management, and transdisciplinary perspectives on animal welfare. Gauly also explores innovative solutions for livestock challenges posed by climate change, such as heat stress impacts on dairy cows and pigs.

• Education:
  • PhD Agricultural Science, University of Bonn
  • PhD Veterinary Science, University of Gießen
  • Habilitation in Animal Science, University of Gießen
• Affiliations:
  • Scientific Board Member, German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
  • President, European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP)
  • Board Member, German Agriculture Society (DLG)
• Grants & Collaborations: Active in EU-funded projects on mountain livestock systems resilience, biosecurity protocols, and precision livestock farming applications.
• Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano focusing on livestock sustainability and agroecology.