The increasing networking of markets requires more information, for example when assessing the competitiveness of farms and locations in different regions or with regard to the effects of changing economic, technological and political conditions on farms, farm structures and agricultural production. However, due to the different definitions of key figures and the methods used, international calculations are often difficult or impossible to compare. For this purpose, international networks have been established in which experts from the fields of science, consulting and practice work together on the basis of standardised methods, thus enabling international comparisons of profitability.
Objective
The aim of this project is to collect and process data for the international farm comparison (concept of typical farms), to discuss the results in an international context and to contribute to the methodological and organisational development of the concepts of the two international networks IFCN (International Farm Comparison Network) and agri benchmark (for cash crops). This means, among other things, collecting, plausibilising and providing Austria-specific data according to the specifications of the project management. Subsequently, the existing data sources are to be used for own scientific work, for example in the context of production cost comparisons. In addition, the networks offer a platform for professional exchange and points of contact for further research work and research co-operation.
Status of the project
The BAB has been part of the IFCN network for milk production for several years and was one of more than 40 scientific partner institutes in 2025. In 2025, data was collected from selected dairy farms using a standardised questionnaire, and the data collected was checked for plausibility and discussed with expert advisors. The data submitted was evaluated uniformly by the IFCN central office using the TIPI-CAL farm model. In addition, the IFCN network sends out a questionnaire every year regarding the development of important sector-specific data, which must be completed. The evaluation results were also presented and discussed at the IFCN annual conference; and form the basis of the annual IFCN Dairy Report. In 2025, the annual conference took place from 20 to 23 May in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, on the topic of ‘Future Dairy Farming Systems Resilience as a Path to Sustainability’. Online webinars and training courses on specific topics or countries were also held at regular intervals. At the IFCN Supporter Conference in Graz from 23 to 26 September, the BAB gave a keynote presentation to international participants on the Austrian dairy sector (‘Austrian agriculture from a dairy perspective’).
As part of the agri benchmark network led by the Thünen Institute, data for a typical farm in Austria's dry region was collected and processed in 2025. The selection process for typical farms and the key figures to be collected had to comply with the network's specifications.
Based on a wide variety of data sources (e.g. working groups, expert surveys), the typical farm of the previous year was used as a basis and the data was updated and compared with official statistics. After a plausibility check of the results, the data will be transferred and entered into the network's database in the spring. However, due to data gaps and inconsistencies, it was not possible to import this data into the agri benchmark database. The second International Livestock Farmers' Conference ‘Global Forum’ also took place as part of the agri benchmark conference 2025. Under the theme ‘Small scale farming in a global market’, more than 150 specialists and experts from 23 countries discussed current challenges and prospects for global livestock farming. The BAB contributed three presentations on the topics of ‘Resilience of Austrian agriculture and the importance of individual farm strategies’, ‘Additional costs of animal welfare measures in bull fattening’ and ‘Profitability in the wake of recent animal welfare changes in pig fattening’.
Work 2026
For 2026, the IFCN network plans to collect data from two types of farms (smaller organic farms and larger intensive farms) again. This data will be collected on site with the farm managers in the first quarter, coordinated with advisors, checked for plausibility and entered into the network's data pool. In addition, country-specific data in the IFCN data pool will be updated (country page). Participation in the annual IFCN conference, workshops and online meetings is also planned for 2026.
With regard to the agri benchmark network, there are plans to define a farm for wetlands in addition to the farm in the dry area, to collect data and to enter it into the joint database. In this regard, contact was made with consultants from the state chambers of agriculture in 2025. The aim is also to use the network data for various analyses and to publish specialist articles. Here, too, participation in the annual conference and in specialist workshops is planned.
