Population monitoring for milk composition,
metabolic status, and economic revenues from
milk sales of local dual-purpose cattle breeds
in Mountain Area

In the history of cattle farming in mountain areas such as the Alps there has been a selection and use of breeds based on functionality and adaptability to local conditions. However, modern livestock production, driven by demand rather than local constraints, also in mountain areas, has led to a transition from traditional multipurpose breeds to specialized breeds in resource intensive farming systems. This is also due to the way in which the milk-related support schemes under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have been established. To counter this trend and preserve genetic biodiversity the various national breeding associations of Italian dual-purpose cattle breeds have launched the DUAL BREEDING project aimed at describing and...