“Since 1544?” someone whispers, gazing at Lehr- und Forschungsgut Oberholz. Indeed. This estate has belonged to the University of Leipzig for centuries.
Lehr- und Forschungsgut Oberholz is an integral part of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. It plays a vital role in veterinary education. The farm supports research and teaching. Students gain expertise in livestock practice here. They learn about animal husbandry and care. They also study animal hygiene, animal welfare, and food hygiene.
Let’s step back in time. In 1544, Elector Moritz of Saxony gifted the Oberholz estate to the University of Leipzig. This included about 220 hectares of forest. It also included five villages and their tax revenues.
By 1770, buildings were already present on this land. One of them still stands today. It’s the Forstwartei. Early research stations were housed here. They aimed to increase yields from the forest and fields. This was to support the growing population.
In 1892 or 1893, the University of Leipzig’s first Agricultural Institute moved to Oberholz. This led to the establishment of the Oberholz experimental farm.
A significant change occurred in 1951. The teaching and experimental station was assigned to the newly founded Agricultural- Horticultural Faculty. It was part of the University of Leipzig.
Since August 1, 1993, the Lehr- und Versuchsgut Oberholz has served the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. It focuses on teaching and research. In 2021, the name changed to Lehr- und Forschungsgut. This reflects its evolving mission. The focus shifted to student training with healthy farm animals. The LFG examines how feeding, hygiene, and housing affect livestock performance.
The Lehr- und Forschungsgut Oberholz maintains various animals. These include about 80 cattle, 400 pigs, and 140 sheep. Among them are endangered breeds. There is also a fallow deer enclosure. Horses were kept here at times. The estate also has its own crop production.
But there’s more than just livestock and fields here at Lehr- und Forschungsgut Oberholz. A unique collection exists. It features veterinary-historical documents and instruments. These artifacts showcase past veterinary practices. Former faculty members collected these items. They are carefully preserved for future generations. The collection also includes a library. It contains veterinary medicine textbooks spanning many decades.