Research

The project collects data on the economic situation of large-scale forests in Austria (forest estates >500 hectares) during the specified period and sets out the current trends in this regard. To this end, operational accounts are drawn up, along with individual and cross-operational analyses (such as standardised mean value calculations (nominal and real) and panel calculations for the overall average and the nine groups in total for the final evaluation, as well as the preparation of individual profit and loss accounts (benchmark comparison) and ‘rankings’ for approximately 100 reporting forest enterprises. The aggregated key figures provide an important empirical data basis for stakeholders in forestry policy as well as for forestry economics research and teaching at BOKU University, and are incorporated, amongst other things, into the annual Forest Report published by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management.

In this project, selected measures of Austria’s Rural Development Programme LE 14–20 are evaluated. The project thus provides answers to selected evaluation questions as part of reporting on the results of the ex post evaluation of the Rural Development Program (RDP). This ex post evaluation is carried out in order to show stakeholders and the public the achievement of policy objectives, the impacts and results, to increase transparency, and to learn how policy can be improved in the future.

As part of the ELBE project, an Excel tool was developed and programmed for the optimal design of photovoltaic systems and electricity storage facilities on farmes with regard to energy self-sufficiency and economic efficiency. Both business-specific load profiles and local conditions are incorporated into the calculations, and it is possible to compare different variants. In this project, the Excel tool is continuously validated and tested for practical suitability. The tool will be presented to energy consultants from the chambers of agriculture and, subsequently, possible fields of application in energy consulting will be developed.