The Institute of Animal Science received prestigious awards at the 51st edition of Země živitelka (The Land that Feeds Us).
- Radko Loučka, MSc, PhD was awarded the Zlatý klas (Golden Ear) prize for the Certified Technology for Systematic Selection of Silage Additives.
- Ludmila Zavadilová, MSc, PhD received recognition from the Minister of Agriculture and the President of the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) for outstanding research results.
From 21 to 26 August 2025, the Institute of Animal Science presented itself at the joint research institutions’ booth in Pavilion T1 at the České Budějovice exhibition grounds.This year’s fair attracted a record-breaking 132,504 visitors.
IAS staff prepared an interactive quiz for visitors on silage and farm animal reproduction. There was also strong interest in IAS promotional materials and scientific publications.
A major success for the Institute was winning the Zlatý klas competition:
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Radko Loučka, MSc, PhD from the Department of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, received the award for the Certified Technology for Systematic Selection of Silage Additives. This innovative technology integrates expert knowledge with artificial intelligence support, providing farmers with a practical decision-making tool.
Key benefits of the technology:
The project involved 25 academic and industry partners, with Radko Loučka, MSc, PhD as the lead investigator. |
| Ludmila Zavadilová, MSc, PhD from the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, received recognition from the Minister of Agriculture and the President of CAAS for her certified methodology: “Estimation of Genomic Breeding Values to Improve Resistance to Hoof Diseases in Holstein Cattle.” This methodology provides breeders with a genomic tool to increase genetic resistance against hoof diseases, combining advanced statistical and genomic methods, such as the multi-trait animal model and single-step genomic evaluation.
Ludmila Zavadilová also represented the Institute in receiving a Zlatý klas award for the exhibit “Prolific Merinolandschaf Sheep Line (PLiM)” of breeder Vladislav Vítek, MSc (ovisservis.cz). This line was developed using the booroola gene (FecB), a major gene for fertility, which can now be reliably identified using DNA tests. IAS researchers have been actively involved in the development and long-term genetic characterization of the PLiM line. Current genotyping of animals is carried out at the IAS Department of Molecular Genetics under the leadership of Zuzana Sztankóová, PhD. Main results of PLiM breeding program:
This program builds on the tradition of the 1980s, when the first Booroola Merino rams were imported to former Czechoslovakia from New Zealand. The PLiM line continues this legacy, demonstrating how modern genomic methods can fundamentally advance breeding and livestock practice. |
The joint research booth was also visited by Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný, MA who engaged in lively discussions with representatives of research institutions.
On Monday, 25 August, Josef Fulka, DSc gave a lecture on the Smart Farming Stage entitled “Saving Endangered Mammals – A Cell’s Perspective.”