{{Short description|German pig production company}} {{Infobox company | name = LFD Holding | logo = | type = | industry = Pig farming | fate = | predecessor = Straathof Holding GmbH | successor = | founded = {{Start date and age|2004}} | founder = Adrianus Straathof | defunct = | hq_location_city = Genthin | hq_location_country = Germany | area_served = Europe | key_people = René Drews (CEO)<ref name="fiscal2020" /> | products = Piglets | owner = Terra Grundwerte AG | revenue = €106.873 million<ref name="fiscal2020" /> | revenue_year = 2020 | num_employees = 405<ref name="fiscal2020" /> | num_employees_year = 2020 | parent = | website = {{URL|https://lfd-holding.com/}} }}
The '''LFD Holding''' is a German piglet production concern based in Genthin in Saxony-Anhalt. It is Germany's largest piglet producer and market leader.<ref name="fiscal2020">Consolidated financial statement for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020 of LFD Holding GmbH, Genthin. Published in Bundesanzeiger on July 7, 2022.</ref><ref name="spiegel2018-05-31">{{cite web |url=https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/eu-subventionen-fuer-finanzinvestoren-und-tierhalter-a-1210185.html |title=Wo die EU-Agrarsubventionen wirklich hinfließen |last=Kwasniewski |first=Nicolai |website=spiegel.de |date=2018-05-31 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
The company was founded in 2004 by Dutchman Adrianus Straathof as ''Straathof Holding GmbH''. In 2014, it was renamed ''LFD Holding GmbH'' (LFD standing for ''Landwirtschaftliche Ferkelzucht Deutschland'').<ref name="fiscal2014">Consolidated financial statement for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on December 31, 2014 of LFD Holding GmbH, Genthin. Published in Bundesanzeiger on August 17, 2026.</ref> In 2020, the company was sold to the Swiss-based investment and holding company ''Terra Grundwerte AG''.<ref name="fiscal2020" /><ref name="heuking">{{cite web |url=https://www.heuking.de/de/news-events/aktuelle-meldungen/artikel/lfd-holding-gmbh-verkauft-saemtliche-geschaeftsanteile-an-die-terra-grundwerte-ag.html |title=LFD Holding GmbH verkauft sämtliche Geschäftsanteile an die Terra Grundwerte AG |website=heuking.de |date=2020-04-17 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
The company has been repeatedly criticized for animal cruelty. In 2021, a major fire completely destroyed the piglet production plant in Alt Tellin.
== History == Adrianus Straathof began raising pigs in the Netherlands in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |first=Peter |last=van Ammelrooy |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/economie/in-duitsland-kreeg-hij-een-beroepsverbod-hier-verbrandden-zijn-varkens-wie-is-hij~bf60ebe6/ |title=In Duitsland kreeg hij een beroepsverbod, hier verbrandden zijn varkens. Wie is hij? |website=volkskrant.nl |date=2017-08-13 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=nl}}</ref> In 2001, Dutch authorities took legal and police action against the farm due to animal cruelty and overcrowding in the stables.<ref>{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Kasper |url=https://programm.ard.de/?sendung=281119334667374&sendungsinfos=Der+Schweine-Baron+(Montag,+14.01.13,+22:00,+WDR+Fernsehen) |title=Die Story: Der Schweine-Baron |website=ard.de |date=2013-01-14 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> After that, Adrianus Straathof expanded to eastern Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.topagrar.com/schwein/aus-dem-heft/hollands-schweinebarone-die-koenige-des-ostens-9691949.html |title=Hollands Schweinebarone – die Könige des Ostens |website=topagrar.com |date=2011-10-18 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> At the end of 2004, Adrianus Straathof founded ''Straathof Holding GmbH'' based in Gladau as an umbrella organization for his various plants in Germany.<ref>Day of the first registration of Straathof Holding GmbH, Gladau: December 22, 2004. In: Handelsregister B of Amtsgericht Stendal, HRB 4686.</ref> The ''Straathof Holding GmbH'' also opened plants in Hungary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buendnis-mut.de/mediapool/109/1096844/data/Agro-Skandale/141210-Straathof/131011-FAZ-Seite-Unseren_Tieren_geht_es_besser_als_den_koschweinen.pdf |title="Unseren Tieren geht es besser als den Ökoschweinen" |website=buendnis-mut.de |date=2013-10-13 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
thumb|Protest against the piglet production plant in Alt Tellin
The company became a pioneer of large-scale animal husbandry in Germany<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kritischer-agrarbericht.de/fileadmin/Daten-KAB/KAB-2010/Niemann.pdf |title=Die verschwiegene Agrarindustrialisierung |website=kritischer-agrarbericht.de |first=Eckehard |last=Niemann |date=2010 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> and one of the largest piglet producers in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mz-web.de/mitteldeutschland/richter-vertagen-prozess-um-schweinehaltungsverbot-gegen-straathof%2C20641266%2C29954952.html |title=Richter vertagen Prozess um Schweinehaltungsverbot gegen Straathof |website=mz-web.de |date=2015-02-24 |access-date=2023-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216150601/http://www.mz-web.de/mitteldeutschland/richter-vertagen-prozess-um-schweinehaltungsverbot-gegen-straathof,20641266,29954952.html |archive-date=2015-12-16 |language=de}}</ref> In doing so, the company repeatedly violated legal requirements and was legally convicted. At the Gladau plant alone, authorities imposed fines amounting to €2.1 million from 2005 to 2014.<ref name="deutschlandfunk">{{cite web |first=Christoph |last=Richter |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/schweinezucht-staatsanwaltschaft-ermittelt-gegen-straathoff-100.html |title=Schweinezucht - Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt gegen Straathoff |website=deutschlandfunk.de |date=2014-03-24 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> Subsequently, the company was subjected to protests from local residents, environmentalists as well as animal rights activists.<ref name="spiegel2018-05-31" />
After the investigative TV magazine ''Report Mainz'' reported on animal cruelty in December 2013 with video recordings by the animal rights organization ''Animal Rights Watch'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.daserste.de/information/politik-weltgeschehen/report-mainz/videosextern/die-brutale-praxis-ueberfluessige-ferkel-loszuwerden-102.html |title=Die brutale Praxis, "überflüssige" Ferkel loszuwerden – Report Mainz |website=daserste.de |date=2013-12-10 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> a three-day raid by police and the public prosecutor's office took place at the Gladau site in 2014.<ref name="stern2014-12-10">{{cite web |url=https://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/news/schweinebaron-straathof---der-grausame-alltag-bei-europas-groesstem-zuechter-3252364.html |title=Der grausame Alltag bei Europas größtem Schweinezüchter |website=stern.de |date=2014-12-10 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> As a result, in November 2014, the responsible district of Jerichower Land issued a nationwide ban on pig keeping and care against Adrianus Straathof, which was unique on this scale in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boell.de/sites/default/files/fleischatlas_regional_2016_aufl_3.pdf |title=Leben im Stillstand |website=boell.de |date=2016-09-01 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
After that, the concern was renamed ''LFD Holding GmbH'' on December 22, 2014.<ref name="fiscal2014" /> Adrianus Straathof initially handed over the management to an employee. Finally, on June 4, 2015, Adrianus Straathof announced that Christian Graf Brockdorff and the law firm Schultze & Braun would act as trustees of his ownership.<ref>{{cite web |author=Antje Mewes |url=https://www.volksstimme.de/lokal/salzwedel/anlage-in-binde-unter-neuer-regie-724239 |title=Anlage in Binde unter neuer Regie |website=volksstimme.de |date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> At the same time, an advisory board was established, of which Adrianus Straathof became a member.<ref>{{cite web |first=Fritz |last=Zimmermann |url=https://www.zeit.de/2015/32/tierschutz-schweine-zucht-sachsen-anhalt/komplettansicht |title=Tierschutz: Der Fleischmann |website=zeit.de |date=2015-08-06 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
On March 18, 2020, Adrianus Straathof sold the concern to the investor ''Terra Grundwerte AG'', based in Switzerland and owned by Schleuniger founder Thomas-Andreas Martin Strehl.<ref>{{cite web |first=Martina |last=Hungerkamp |url=https://www.agrarheute.com/tier/schwein/erst-straathof-dann-lfd-holding-schweizer-investor-565304 |title=Erst Straathof, dann LFD Holding, jetzt Schweizer Investor |website=agrarheute.com |date=2020-02-24 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Tobias |last=Henke |url=https://www.az-online.de/altmark/osterburg/sofortiger-vollzug-osterburger-bauausschuss-stimmt-ausbau-mastanlage-13699113.html |title=Sofortiger Vollzug: Osterburger Bauausschuss stimmt für Ausbau der Mastanlage |website=az-online.de |date=2020-04-23 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> Terra Grundwerte AG in turn appointed the ''Lindhorst Group'' based in Winsen an der Aller for the operational management.<ref>{{cite web |first=Gabriela |last=Keller |url=https://correctiv.org/aktuelles/klimawandel/2022/05/04/greenwashing-agrarkonzern-plant-solaranlage-und-will-dafuer-wald-roden/ |title=Greenwashing? Agrarkonzern plant Solaranlage – und will dafür Wald roden |website=correctiv.org |date=2022-05-04 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> In fiscal year 2020, revenue amounted to €106.873 million, of which roughly 94% (€100.543 million) were generated in Germany and 6% (€6.33 million) in other European countries.<ref name="fiscal2020" />
A major fire on March 31, 2021, completely destroyed the piglet production plant in Alt Tellin, resulting in losses of around 20% in the concern's piglet production capacity.<ref name="fiscal2020" /> The public prosecutor's office estimated the damage at around €40 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Grossbrand-in-Alt-Tellin-Kein-technischer-Defekt,alttellin248.html |title=Großbrand in Alt Tellin: Kein technischer Defekt |website=ndr.de |date=2022-01-28 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
== Structure == The concern keeps sows and produces piglets. The operation of the individual plants is carried out through 14 subsidiaries.<ref name="fiscal2020" /> The animal stock in the parent farms is 55,000 sows,<ref name="heuking" /> with which 4000 piglets are produced per day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lfd-holding.com/wp/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Nachhaltigkeitsreport-2018-LFD-Holding-GmbH.pdf |title=Nachhaltigkeitsreport 2018 |website=lfd-holding.com |date=2018 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> The piglets are sold to fattening companies in Germany and Europe, some are fattened in the concern's own fattening plants.<ref name="fiscal2020" />
For the trade and transport of the animals, the concern cooperates with the ''Venneker'' group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lfd-holding.com/2020/07/06/zusammenarbeit-mit-der-venneker-unternehmensgruppe |title=Zusammenarbeit mit der Venneker Unternehmensgruppe |website=lfd-holding.com |date=2020-07-06 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> With regard to the genetics of the animals, the concern cooperates with the pig breeding company ''Hypor'', a subsidiary of one of the world's largest animal genetics groups ''Hendrix Genetics''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hypor.com/en/news/lfd-holding-extends-successful-cooperation-hendrix-genetics/ |title=LFD Holding extends successful cooperation with Hendrix Genetics |website=hypor.com |date=2021-02-10 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=en}}</ref>
== Controversies == === Animal cruelty === The company has been repeatedly criticized for animal cruelty. The animal rights organization Animal Rights Watch has published footage from inside the company's stables on several occasions, causing public criticism.<ref>3sat nano: ''Enge Haltebuchten, verletzte Tiere, tote Ferkel'', broadcast on September 30, 2015</ref><ref>MDR Exakt: ''Was hat sich in den Ställen des Straathof Imperiums getan?'', broadcast on March 30, 2016</ref> Consequently, the company has been subjected to restraints and fines by authorities.<ref name="deutschlandfunk" /><ref name="spiegel2019-10-22">{{cite web |url=https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/nottoetungen-in-der-schweinemast-qual-fuer-den-profit-a-1290250.html |title=Warum 13 Millionen Schweine in Deutschland im Müll landen |first=Nicolai |last=Kwasniewski |website=spiegel.de |date=2019-10-22 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
One major criticism concerned the brutal killings of piglets. In December 2013, Report Mainz reported that piglets were systematically beaten to death in plants of the company in a manner that violated animal welfare.<ref>{{cite web |first=Alfons |last=Deter |url=https://www.topagrar.com/management-und-politik/news/vorwurf-straathof-mitarbeiter-erschlagen-ueberzaehlige-ferkel-9530081.html |title=Vorwurf: Straathof-Mitarbeiter erschlagen überzählige Ferkel |website=topagrar.com |date=2013-12-11 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> Official police evidence videos from 2014 documented piglets being brutally killed in the carcass box.<ref name="stern2014-12-10" /> In 2019, Report Mainz as well as Der Spiegel published footage in cooperation with Animal Rights Watch, which again showed brutal killings of pigs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.swr.de/report/warum-tun-sich-behoerden-bei-kontrollen-so-schwer-rechtswidrige-nottoetung-von-schweinen/-/id=233454/did=24767768/nid=233454/xgxyx2/index.html |title=Warum tun sich Behörden bei Kontrollen so schwer?: Rechtswidrige Nottötung von Schweinen – REPORT MAINZ |website=SWR.de |date=2019-10-22 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de |archive-date=2023-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103162754/https://www.swr.de/report/warum-tun-sich-behoerden-bei-kontrollen-so-schwer-rechtswidrige-nottoetung-von-schweinen/-/id=233454/did=24767768/nid=233454/xgxyx2/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.niederlausitz-aktuell.de/spree-neisse/drebkau/79664/brutale-toetungen-schwere-vorwuerfe-gegen-drebkauer-schweinemastbetrieb.html |title=Brutale Tötungen? Schwere Vorwürfe gegen Drebkauer Schweinemastbetrieb |website=niederlausitz-aktuell.de |date=2019-10-24 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> An employee was subsequently fired and the plant manager was issued a warning.<ref name="spiegel2019-10-22" />
Another major criticism concerned the company keeping sows in gestation crates too narrowly so that the animals had far too little space.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stern.de/panorama/stern-crime/strafanzeige-gegen-schweinezuechter-straathof--anhaltende-schmerzen--3210470.html |title="Anhaltende Schmerzen" |website=stern.de |date=2013-04-24 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> The German Federal Administrative Court ruled that the company's practices were illegal and violated animal welfare.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bverwg.de/pm/2016/97 |title=Pressemitteilung: Urteil des Oberverwaltungsgerichts des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt zur Haltung von Schweinen in Kastenständen rechtskräftig |website=bverwg.de |date=2016-11-23 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
=== Technical deficiencies and operational problems === thumb|Fire at the piglet production plant in Alt Tellin In April 2017, a technical failure led to a fire at the piglet production plant in Kleindemsin, the approximately 260 sows housed there died and damages of €2 to 2.5 million were incurred.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.magdeburger-news.de/?cut=3737&c=20170420083925 |title=Jerichower Land: Brand einer Sauenanlage - ca 260 Schweine sind tot. |website=magdeburger-news.de |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Simone |last=Pötschke |url=https://www.volksstimme.de/lokal/genthin/millionenschaden-in-kleindemsin-821868 |title=Millionenschaden in Kleindemsin |website=volksstimme.de |date=2017-04-20 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
In July 2018, a technical defect led to a fire at the piglet production plant in Gladau, the resulting damage was estimated at €250,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lfd-holding.com/2018/07/07/brand-in-der-ferkelzuchtanlage-gladau/ |title=Bürgerinformation zu Brand in der Ferkelzuchtanlage Gladau |website=lfd-holding.com |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Mike |last=Fleske |url=https://www.volksstimme.de/lokal/genthin/250-000-euro-schaden-durch-brand-in-gladau-909239 |title=250.000 Euro Schaden durch Brand in Gladau |website=volksstimme.de |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
In August 2019, there was a leak of high-percentage sulfuric acid at the piglet production plant in Alt Tellin.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ola |last=Minkenberg |url=https://www.nordkurier.de/demmin/schwefelsaeure-in-schweinemast-ausgetreten-0636342308.html |title=Schwefelsäure in Alt Telliner Schweinezucht-Anlage ausgelaufen |website=nordkurier.de |date=2019-08-06 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> Later the same month, more than 1,000 piglets died in Alt Tellin due to the failure of a ventilation system.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carsten |last=Schönebeck |url=https://www.nordkurier.de/demmin/ermittlungen-gegen-ferkel-anlage-in-alt-tellin-1037747312.html |title=Ermittlungen gegen Ferkel-Anlage in Alt Tellin |website=nordkurier.de |date=2019-12-10 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> In March 2021, a major fire finally destroyed the entire piglet production plant in Alt Tellin consisting of 18 stables, only 1300 of the 51.000 penned sows and piglets survived.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.proplanta.de/agrar-nachrichten/agrarwirtschaft/anzahl-verendeter-schweine-in-alt-tellin-nach-unten-korrigiert_article1620527896.html |title=Anzahl verendeter Schweine in Alt Tellin nach unten korrigiert |website=proplanta.de |date=2023-01-03 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref> The company was accused of having accepted the death of the animals in case of fire and of not having taken sufficient fire precautions.<ref>{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Hummel |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/tierschutz-massentierhaltung-brandgefahr-1.5395843 |title=Tierschutz: Brandgefährliche Massentierhaltung |website=sueddeutsche.de |date=2021-08-30 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jost |last=Maurin |url=https://taz.de/Nachdem-tausende-Schweine-verbrannt-sind/!5760387/ |title=Nachdem tausende Schweine verbrannt sind: Protest gegen "Megastall" |website=taz.de |date=2021-04-09 |access-date=2023-01-31 |language=de}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|LFD Holding}} *{{Official website|https://lfd-holding.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Pig farming Category:Intensive farming Category:Meat companies of Germany Category:German companies established in 2004 Category:Companies based in Saxony-Anhalt Category:Jerichower Land