Juradistl - Biodiversity in the Oberpfalz

In addition to studying, working and doing the household, it is not always easy to provide meals that meet one's own demands for sustainability. With the extensive grazing of sheep and cattle, the Juradistl project makes an important contribution to the preservation of the local nature and species diversity.

Juradistl lamb and Juradistl cattle, the regional nature conservation products of the Upper Palatinate Jura, are regularly served in the dining halls of the Studentenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz.

Josef Sedlmeier, Managing Director of the Regensburg Landscape Conservation Association, one of the project sponsors of "Juradistl", explains that enjoying a good meal can also preserve habitats for many rare animal and plant species of our homeland: "Only 50 years ago, the wandering shepherd or grazing cattle were the common sight in agriculture. As a by-product of this very extensive use of fields and meadows, diverse habitats for numerous animal and plant species were created. The strong intensification in agriculture has changed this. Products that continue to be produced extensively, i.e. with positive effects for nature and species richness, usually yield less, and are therefore significantly more expensive and more demanding to market. For this reason, the nature conservation brand 'Juradistl' was created in the core area of the Upper Palatinate Jura, which includes large parts of the districts of Amberg-Sulzbach, Neumarkt i. d. Opf., Regensburg and Schwandorf".

"Every euro spent on 'Juradistl' products", Sedlmeier continued, "not only rewards the consumer with a natural and animal-friendly quality product from the region, but also helps to promote a piece of rural culture, traditional crafts and regional economic cycles. The 'Juradistl' therefore wants to raise awareness not only of nature conservation, but also of the connections between nature, recreation, business, food and drink, health and thus the quality of life as such.

Our offer for students: Juradistl lamb and Juradistl cattle

The Juradistl lamb specialities come from local shepherds. Dry slopes rich in herbs are grazed and therefore do not become overgrown and can thus preserve their richness in animal and plant species. The sheep are only in the barn in winter when there is no fodder available in the corridor. All the exercise in the fresh air is good for the animals and also ensures the excellent quality of the meat, which finally reaches the plate in the refectories.

The same applies to the Juradistl cattle. Where extensive grazing of cattle still produces flowers and herbs, there are many birds, insects and other animal species. These species-rich meadows are now particularly endangered due to the strong intensification of agriculture.

We are partners for nature and species conservation

The Studentenwerk supports species-appropriate and regional animal husbandry with traceable origins. We take responsibility for regional cycles, for the local cultural landscape and for good and healthy food for students.

By the way, this also applies to the Juradistl apple juice spritzer of the Regensburg Nagler wine press, which is offered in our refectories and cafeterias. The apple juice spritzer is made from apples grown in orchards and is therefore the perfect thirst quencher for all those who rely on sustainably produced products from our region.