Dear readers,

The renowned company Neumarkter Lammsbräu has been the world’s leading organic brewery for more than three decades. 117 employees produce approximately 80,000 hl of beer and 110,000 hl of non-alcoholic beverages per year. Neumarkter Lammsbräu is a good example of how dedicated SMEs can be to integrating biological diversity into their sustainability management. Enjoy reading the portray of the company's activities as well as further news in this edition of our newsletter! 

Yours sincerely, 
'Biodiversity in Good Company' Initiative

+++ The English newsletter is only an abbreviated version of the German newsletter edition where you will find more about our activities +++

SPOTLIGHT: Biodiversity ... at Neumarkter Lammsbräu!

General Agent of Neumarkter Lammsbräu Susanne Horn with EZÖB Chairman Karl Stephan General Agent of Neumarkter Lammsbräu Susanne Horn with EZÖB Chairman Karl Stephan
»Doing business in line with nature means above all to preserve our natural sources of life. One substantial aspect hereby is the protection and preservation of biodiversity to which we are dedicated with various activities.« (Susanne Horn, General Agent of Neumarkter Lammsbräu)

Our Guided Nature Tours

Neumarkter Lammsbräu does not only fund 2-3 plans for arable lands per year implemented by farmers of their regional producer group for ecological brewing raw materials (EZÖB), but also purposefully invites the public to experience this implementation of biodiversity protection measures at first hand. This happens together with an expert of Bioland, the largest organic-food association in Germany.

Examples of such measures implemented at the farmers lands are field edges and flower strips, taking care of forest edges and grasslands rich in biodiversity as well as planting trees, hedges, and other groves, in order to create space for endangered species. At the same time this fosters the buildup of humus and life within the soil.

Hedges – Endless Variety

Hedges are a typical landscape element in our region. At many sites however they have been removed or impoverished. Shepherd Schenk wants to change this and has planted a huge hedge on 1300m as well as additional cluster elements. They were visited in one of the guided nature tours on 11 May 2016.

Guided nature tour with the focal topic of "biodiversity in hedges", Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Guided nature tour with the focal topic of "biodiversity in hedges", Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu
The landscape around Schenk's sheep farm (in Deining) is characterized by small plots that are bordered by hedges. A hedge offers habitats for many animals and plants. In order to obtain a feeling for biodiversity, the participants tried to classify the different hedge groves on the basis of leaves. Bioland advisor Katharina Schertler showed the interested public the existing hedge species through the different leave forms such as hazelnut, blackthorn, whitethorn, guilder-rose.

Moreover, hedges are important habitats for many birds and insects. The guided nature tour was accompanied by different bird calls which Katharina Schertler identified and made the participants understand through reminders. The typical call of the yellowhammer was clearly identifiable for everyone by its birdsong: "Wie, wie, wie hab ich dich lieeeeb" (meaning: "How much I love you").

Looking for Arable Wild Plants!

Arable wild plants – more than just weeds. Katharina Schertler gave practical tips as of how arable wild plants can be protected and fostered on our areas. The tour to Konrad Samberger’s field in Pilsach, where he grows malting barley for Neumarkter Lammsbräu, took place on 7th June 2016.

Guided nature tour with the focal topic of "relevance of arable wild plants", Photo Neumarkter Lammsbräu Guided nature tour with the focal topic of "relevance of arable wild plants", Photo Neumarkter Lammsbräu
In good spirits and equipped with graphic representations of the most important arable wild plants, the 20 participants of the guided nature tour followed Bioland advisor Katharina Schertler’s request and started examining the surroundings of the field: The goal was to find as many arable wild plants as possible within and around it!

To the great interest of all, the Bioland advisor proceeded to classify the collected plants, explained their peculiarities for the ecosystems and also shared some anecdotes about the different plants. Moreover the relevance of the bio farmers` work was highlighted.

The participants could gain a live impression of the complementing and harmonic interaction of nature and bio agriculture since even the endangered black stork living on the site appeared on the sky, pulling his circles.

On Hermann Heiselbetz’s Farm!

At the foot of the mountain „Schlüpfelberg“(close to Mühlhausen) lies the Heiselbetz family’s Bioland farm. During an interesting tour on 25 June 2016 it was shown how eco-farming preserves and nurtures our cultivated landscape.

Guided nature tour with the focal topic of "presercation of our cultivated landscape through eco- farming", Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Guided nature tour with the focal topic of "presercation of our cultivated landscape through eco- farming", Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu
The meaning of eco-farming for the preservation of biodiversity on site was shown once more through a guided tour of the agricultural unit as well as the adjoining grassland and fields. It is only possible for arable wild plants such as field pansies, corn poppy or cornflower to survive and reproduce if fields are cultivated extensively and pesticide-free.

Inhabited barn swallows’ nests could be examined in family Heiselbetz’ stables. These mostly can be found in stables where animal husbandry takes place throughout the year, since this allows plenty and stable food supply for insects. However, this also shows a conflict between animal welfare and nature preservation: Modern, airy cow stables which partly stay empty in the summer are desirable from an animal welfare perspective. However, without cows there are no insects and hence, swallows cannot survive in this kind of stables.

Another major focus of the guided tour was the visit of a hedge rich in biodiversity which needs to be correctly taken care of for its preservation. For that matter, shrubs are not just trimmed at the sides but cut down to the coppice of around knee-height every five years in order to reach a rejuvenation of the hedge. In this way the composition of plants, different plant families such as sloe, hawthorn, elder, privet ideally is preserved and by this means, serves as a source of food for different bird and insect species. Particularly rosaceae offer ideal nesting possibilities for birds who breed in hedges. Apart from that, scattered trees enlarge shelter possibilities, e.g. for yellowhammers, a typical inhabitant of fields and farmlands.

"Deutsche Aktionstage" for Sustainability 2015 and 2016

In the last two years Neumarkter Lammsbräu participated in the so-called German Action Days for Sustainability. 

Our Orchard: On Bats and other Beauty of Nature

At our orchard with scattered fruit trees close to Arzthofen we set up altogether 10 bat boxes during a tour through the area. This took place in cooperation with Landschaftspflegeverband (LPV), Kreisgruppe Neumarkt.

During the setup of the bat boxes, the young and old participants discovered insects and plants which found a safe haven on the premises. Even a real bat was showed and its peculiarities were explained, which particularly impressed the young participants. Moreover, the bug house was marveled at. Some of the Lammsbräu employees were present, too.

Activity at the orchard with scattered fruit trees 2015: Setting up bat boxes, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Activity at the orchard with scattered fruit trees 2015: Setting up bat boxes, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu

A Journey of Discovery to the Inhabitants of the Orchard

At our orchard with scattered fruit trees close to Arzthofen we searched together for insects and plants and classified them in collaboration with Bioland advisor Katharina Schertler. The activity took place on 4 June 2016 during a tour. Equipped with magnifying glasses and scoops, the participants went on a journey of discovery in order to trace the biodiversity on the orchard. Bioland advisor Katharina Schertler first assigned the task to search for four different flowers or grasses.

Later, all treasures found on the meadow of the orchard were placed onto a broad cloth and everyone was impressed by the diversity that could be seen. With the help of Katharina Schertler, everyone tried to determine some of the many grasses and flower species according to their characteristic traits. Among them were carnation, horsetail or yarrow.

Activity at the orchard 2016: Joint classfication of typical orchard species, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Activity at the orchard 2016: Joint classfication of typical orchard species, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu

Regular Round Table on Biodiversity

The Neumarkt biodiversity round table for companies has already existed for four years. It was created by Lammsbräu-owner Dr. Franz Ehrnsperger. At regular meetings the regional entrepreneurs exchange their views on the topic of biodiversity and present own projects in order to sensitize the others and to set some stimuli. This year’s summer round table took place at the company DEHN+SÖHNE in Mühlhausen on 20 June 2016. The meeting was organized by Neumarkter Lammsbräu, together with the Öko-Modellregion (eco model region) Neumarkt i.d.OPf., county of Neumarkt i.d.OPf., and the landscape conservation association Neumarkt i.d.OPf.

The focus was a visit of the sand sward at DEHN & SÖHNE’s company site. When designing the site, the otherwise usual application of humus and sowing meadow, respectively the growing of herbaceous perennials was waived. Instead, a special seeding material for sand swards was sowed.

Excursion with regional companies, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Excursion with regional companies, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu
Through this close to nature design, the sand sward close by could be expanded. In the habitat created by this way, already some rare plant, wild bee and butterfly species have been detected. Carthusian pinks, Glanville fritillary or Purpurbindenspanner (Lythria cruentaria) pertain to this category. This kind of sandy areas do not only offer rare insects a permanent blossom but also nesting possibilities which have become very rare in our current cultural landscape. 

The excursion was led by Georg Knipfer, Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LPV), Kreisgruppe Neumarkt, who highlighted the importance of such habitats for nature preservation and showed some of the typical species to the participants. Afterwards, Carolin Boßmeier, Managing Director of the nationwide company network Biodiversity in Good Company Initiative e. V. from Berlin gave an overview on the current political developments and opportunities for action for companies in order to foster biodiversity.

15. Lammsbräu's Sustainability Award

Bio-pioneer Neumarkter Lammsbräu revered the laureates of its sustainability award 2016 under the frame of a ceremony on July 7th 2016.

For the now 15th time, the long-standing company from the Oberpfalz region awarded its “lambs” to five laureates in five different categories. Each price is endowed with 2000 euros. Moreover, this year a price of honor was awarded, and for the first time, the new special price for innovation. 

Neumarkter Lammsbräu's Sustainability Award 2016, laureate: Mellifera e.V., Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Neumarkter Lammsbräu's Sustainability Award 2016, laureate: Mellifera e.V., Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu
The top-class selection committee chose the winners out of 107 individuals and organizations committed in particular ways to the protection of our environment and the preservation of our foundations of life also for the generations to come. Besides the recognition of commitment, the goal of the award ceremony is to motivate the laureates to continue their work and to offer a platform for good ideas. Out of a total of seven winners, two were particularly sticking out in the area of biodiversity:

Organizations and institutions: Mellifera e.V. supports the awareness creation on the importance of bees for agriculture to the broader public in imaginative ways. With hives for research and training purposes thousands have been introduced to beekeeping. The “bee box” allows for anyone to keep bees in a very simple way. On top of that, Mellifera has significantly co-developed a natural method of treatment of the Varroa mite and is politically active: The association contributes significantly to the fact that there are no genetically modified organisms on German fields.

Employees: AG Zukunft - At Neumarkter Lammsbräu this means „Apprentices shape the future“. The junior employees push the company as a whole forward, through creative ideas towards topics such as biodiversity or the preservation of species richness. They also help to implement those ideas. Moreover, the young people, thirsty for knowledge and committed, function as messengers that foster Neumarkter Lammsbräu’s sustainability culture outside the company walls.

Apprentice's Project on the Topic of Biodiversity

Which influence do the four elements of fire, water, air and earth have on biodiversity? Apprentices from three holistically oriented companies – Neumarkter Lammsbräu, Weleda AG and memo AG – pursued this question.

They presented their results to the visitors of Landesgartenschau at Schwäbisch Gmünd between 30th April and 12th October 2014 with the “Erlebniswelt 4 Elemente”. This was a wooden pavilion, planted with different flowers, herbs and grain varieties. The education of young people is an important part of the sustainability philosophy of these three companies. 

Apprentices`project: Biodiversity pavilion at Landesgartenschau, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Apprentices`project: Biodiversity pavilion at Landesgartenschau, Photo: Neumarkter Lammsbräu
Besides conveying professional qualifications, handling ecological questions is conveyed in particular. The apprentices could also experience how workflows are steered in the other two companies and could gain insights into their philosophy and values. Through the joint designing of  the pavilion, developed in three project meetings at the respective company sites in Neumarkt/Oberpfalz, Schwäbisch Gmünd and Greußheim, in the end, friendships emerged. The apprentices are happy about the successful project completion: “We could gain many new experiences and present a result which we are proud of!”, was the unanimous opinion. 

Further Information

Here you can find further information on Neumarkter Lammsbräu within the company network 'Biodiversity in Good Company' Initiative.

Please contact Ms Silvia Ohms, Sustainability Management. s.ohms(at)lammsbraeu.de at Neumarkter Lammsbräu, should you have any further inquiries.

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