LowInputBreeds
From 2009-05-01 to 2014-04-30, closed project
Quality organic livestock farming
Organic farming is undoubtedly best for product quality and animal welfare. European research has developed new breeding concepts to optimise lower input livestock production.© Thinkstock
Conventional agricultural practices rely on high input methods which generally involve animal confinement. The LOWINPUTBREEDS project has developed and applied innovative breeding methods including marker assisted selection and genome wide selection specially geared for organic conditions. Focusing on breeds of cattle, sheep, laying hens and pigs, the scientists have also integrated management practices such as diet, disease control and rearing systems.
Genomic breeding values measured for cattle included important novel functional traits such as milking temperament and speed. Considering milk products, the researchers have completed a fatty acid profile, all-important in the taste, aesthetics and quality of dairy produce.
In Crete, dairy sheep are responding well to tannin-rich forage (plant material). Not only was helminth worm egg count reduced on this diet but infected ewes didn't suffer from increases in parasite eggs shortly after giving birth. Sheep in France and Switzerland also showed beneficial effects due to pasture management. Analysis of meat quality and tannin rich forage is ongoing.
Traditional pig breeds appeared unsuitable for organic pork production but regional products are more promising. Experts preferred air-dried sausages from traditional breeds compared to hybrid lines, for example. Project scientists in the Netherlands have developed a rotation breeding system that enables pig producers to produce their own young female pigs.
Out of 276 farms involved, 80 are testing new genotypes of laying hens. Performance is good for health, behaviour and egg production. One focus is on determining factors that will extend laying period. Effects of management and feeding regimes on egg sensory and nutritional quality are currently being evaluated.
Important themes discussed at the three conferences held included ethical issues. Dissemination of up-to-date information is also through the constantly updated website and biannual newsletters.
The impact on organic farming promises to be significant. Improved genotypes for health, performance and product quality combined with management adaptations promise to raise the standards in 'low input' systems while maintaining quality of life for the livestock.
For more information visit http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/91932_en.html.
Organic farming is undoubtedly best for product quality and animal welfare. European research has developed new breeding concepts to optimise lower input livestock production.© Thinkstock
Conventional agricultural practices rely on high input methods which generally involve animal confinement. The LOWINPUTBREEDS project has developed and applied innovative breeding methods including marker assisted selection and genome wide selection specially geared for organic conditions. Focusing on breeds of cattle, sheep, laying hens and pigs, the scientists have also integrated management practices such as diet, disease control and rearing systems.
Genomic breeding values measured for cattle included important novel functional traits such as milking temperament and speed. Considering milk products, the researchers have completed a fatty acid profile, all-important in the taste, aesthetics and quality of dairy produce.
In Crete, dairy sheep are responding well to tannin-rich forage (plant material). Not only was helminth worm egg count reduced on this diet but infected ewes didn't suffer from increases in parasite eggs shortly after giving birth. Sheep in France and Switzerland also showed beneficial effects due to pasture management. Analysis of meat quality and tannin rich forage is ongoing.
Traditional pig breeds appeared unsuitable for organic pork production but regional products are more promising. Experts preferred air-dried sausages from traditional breeds compared to hybrid lines, for example. Project scientists in the Netherlands have developed a rotation breeding system that enables pig producers to produce their own young female pigs.
Out of 276 farms involved, 80 are testing new genotypes of laying hens. Performance is good for health, behaviour and egg production. One focus is on determining factors that will extend laying period. Effects of management and feeding regimes on egg sensory and nutritional quality are currently being evaluated.
Important themes discussed at the three conferences held included ethical issues. Dissemination of up-to-date information is also through the constantly updated website and biannual newsletters.
The impact on organic farming promises to be significant. Improved genotypes for health, performance and product quality combined with management adaptations promise to raise the standards in 'low input' systems while maintaining quality of life for the livestock.
For more information visit http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/91932_en.html.
Partners:
- CENTRUM VYSKUMU ZIVOCISNEJ VYROBY NITRA
- NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION.
- FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUR BIOLOGISCHENLANDBAU STIFTUNG
- INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE
- GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITAET GOETTINGEN STIFTUNG OEFFENTLICHEN RECHTS
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA
- HELLINIKOS GEORGIKOS ORGANISMOS - DIMITRA (HELLENIC AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION - DEMETER)
- JOHANN HEINRICH VON THUENEN-INSTITUT, BUNDESFORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUER LANDLICHE RAUME, WALD UND FISCHEREI
- KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
- UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI
- UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN
- Swissgenetics
- BRAUNVIEH SCHWEIZ GENOSSENSCHAFT
- applied genetics network
- TOPIGS RESEARCH CENTER IPG BV
- Pigture Iberica S.L.
- Institut de Sélection Animale BV
- INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE DE TUNISIE
- LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa
- STICHTING DIENST LANDBOUWKUNDIG ONDERZOEK
- LOUIS BOLK INSTITUUT
- NARODNE POL'NOHOSPODARSKE A POTRAVINARSKE CENTRUM
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
- TEAGASC - AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- CENTRUM VYSKUMU ZIVOCISNEJ VYROBY NITRA
- NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION.
- FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUR BIOLOGISCHENLANDBAU STIFTUNG
- INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE
- GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITAET GOETTINGEN STIFTUNG OEFFENTLICHEN RECHTS
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA
- HELLINIKOS GEORGIKOS ORGANISMOS - DIMITRA (HELLENIC AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION - DEMETER)
- JOHANN HEINRICH VON THUENEN-INSTITUT, BUNDESFORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUER LANDLICHE RAUME, WALD UND FISCHEREI
- KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
- UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI
- UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN
- Swissgenetics
- BRAUNVIEH SCHWEIZ GENOSSENSCHAFT
- applied genetics network
- TOPIGS RESEARCH CENTER IPG BV
- Pigture Iberica S.L.
- Institut de Sélection Animale BV
- INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE DE TUNISIE
- LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa
- STICHTING DIENST LANDBOUWKUNDIG ONDERZOEK
- LOUIS BOLK INSTITUUT
- NARODNE POL'NOHOSPODARSKE A POTRAVINARSKE CENTRUM
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
- TEAGASC - AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY