Luca Maria Battaglini

Environmental sustainability of Alpine livestock farms

The 2006 FAO report concerning the environmental impact of the livestock sector has generated scientific debate, especially considering the context of global warming and the need to provide animal products to a growing world population. However, this sector differs widely in terms of environmental context, production targets, degree of intensification and cultural role. The traditional breeding systems in the Alps were largely based on the use of meadows and pastures and produced not only milk and meat but also other fundamental positive externalities and ecosystem services, such as conservation of genetic resources, water flow regulation, pollination, climate regulation, landscape maintenance, recreation and ecotourism and cultural heritage. In recent decades, the mountain livestock, mainly represented by dairy cattle, has been affected by a dramatic reduction of farms, a strong increase of animals per farm, an increase in indoor production systems, more extensive use of specialised non-indigenous cattle breeds and the increasing use of extra-farm concentrates instead of meadows and pastures for fodder. This paper firstly describes the livestock sector in the Italian Alps and analyses the most important factors affecting their sustainability. Secondly, it discusses the need to assess the ecosystem services offered by forage-based livestock systems in mountains with particular attention to greenhouse gas emission and its mitigation by carbon sequestration. In conclusion, comparison between the different elements of the environmental sustainability of mountain livestock systems must be based on a comprehensive overview of the relationships among animal husbandry, environment and socio-economic context.

Fatty Acid Composition of the Seed Oils of Selected Vicia L. Taxa from Tunisia

Whole mature seeds of eight selected varieties, subspecies and accessions of three Vicia L. species grown in Tunisia were investigated for their fatty acid (FA) profile. The FA composition ranged from lauric (C12:0) to lignoceric (C24:0) acids. The total FA content was 1235.14 to 1580.34 mg 100 g–1 dry matter (DM). Linoleic acid (C18:2 c 9c 12; 647.87 to 801.93 mg 100 g–1 DM, i.e. >50% of total FA), oleic acid (C18:1 c 9; 181.32 to 346.79 mg 100 g–1 DM, i.e. 13.2 to 24.6% of total FA) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 c 9c 12c 15; 42.01 to 97.72 mg 100 g–1 DM, i.e. 3.4 to 7.1% of total FA) were the most abundant unsaturated FA. Palmitic acid (C16:0; 189.86 to 281.07 mg 100 g–1 DM, i.e. 15.4 to 17.8% of total FA) and stearic acid (C18:0; 24.35 to 52.75 mg 100 g–1 DM, i.e. 2.0 to 4.0% of total FA) were the major saturated ones. The sum of all other FA did not exceed 3.0% of TFA. The favourable FA profile of the studied vetch seeds makes them interesting cheap diet components to be used in the nutrition of ruminants and non-ruminants reared in the dryland agricultural regions of Mediterranean countries.

Relationships between botanical and chemical composition of forages: a multivariate approach to grasslands in the Western Italian Alps

BACKGROUND Plant composition of species-rich mountain grasslands can affect the sensorial and chemical attributes of dairy and meat products, with implications for human health. A multivariate approach was used to analyse the complex relationships between vegetation characteristics (botanical composition and plant community variables) and chemical composition (proximate constituents and fatty acid profile) in mesophilic and dry vegetation ecological groups, comprising six different semi-natural grassland types in the Western Italian Alps. RESULTS Mesophilic and dry grasslands were comparable in terms of phenology, biodiversity indices and proportion of botanical families. The content of total fatty acids and that of the most abundant fatty acids (alpha-linolenic, linoleic and palmitic acids) were mainly associated to nutrient-rich plant species, belonging to the mesophilic grassland ecological group. Mesophilic grasslands showed also higher values of crude protein, lower values of fibre content and they were related to higher pastoral values of vegetation compared to dry grasslands. The proximate composition and fatty acid profile appeared mainly single species dependent rather than botanical family dependent. CONCLUSION These findings highlight that forage from mesophilic grasslands can provide higher nutritive value for ruminants and may be associated to ruminant-derived food products with a healthier fatty acid profile.

Milk yield, gross composition and fatty acid profile of dual‐purpose Aosta Red Pied cows fed separate concentrate‐forage versus total mixed ration

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of two feeding methods on milk yield, composition and fatty acid (FA) profile obtained from dual-purpose cattle. Twenty-four Aosta Red Pied cows beyond peak of lactation were assigned to two groups and fed hay and concentrates in the proportions 0.69 and 0.31 on a dry matter basis for 10 weeks. Concentrates were offered separately from forages 6 times a day (separate ration, SR) or as a total mixed ration (TMR). The feeding method did not significantly influence dry matter intake (16.8 vs. 16.9 kg/head/day for SR- and TMR-fed cows, respectively), milk yield (17.4 vs. 17.5 kg/head/day), milk fat, protein and lactose contents (36.4 vs. 35.2, 33.5 vs. 32.8, and 47.3 vs. 47.4 g/kg) and yields (607.9 vs. 613.4, 567.4 vs. 572.7 and 805.5 vs. 829.7 g/head/day). The overall milk FA profile was very similar between groups. Milk concentrations of FA used as indirect markers of rumen function (C18:2 t10c12, odd- and branched-chain FA) and the extent of ruminal biohydrogenation were comparable (P > 0.05) between SR- and TMR-fed cows, suggesting that ruminal pH did not vary considerably as a consequence of the feeding strategy applied.

Comparing milk yield, chemical properties and somatic cell count from organic and conventional mountain farming systems

Abstract A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of farming systems (organic vs. conventional), diet (hay/concentrate vs. pasture) and their interaction on milk yield, gross composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of dairy cows bred in mountainous areas. For this purpose four dairy farms (two organic and two conventional) were chosen in the alpine territory of Aosta Valley (NW Italy); individual milk yield was recorded daily and bulk milk samples were collected monthly from February to September 2007 to cover dietary variations. Higher levels of milk production (P<0.05) and lower milk protein amounts (P<0.01) were observed in the organic farms with respect to the conventional ones, while no significant differences were noticed in milk fat and lactose contents and in somatic cell count. Concerning fatty acids, only small differences were detected between organic and conventional milk and such differences seemed to be related mainly to the stabled period. Diet affected almost all variables studied: pasture feeding provided a significant improvement in the fatty acid composition in both organic and conventional systems leading to lower hypercholesterolemic saturated fatty acids, higher mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid amounts (P<0.001).

The Role of the Family in Mountain Pastoralism— Change and Continuity Ethnographic Evidence from the Western Italian Alps

Abstract The distinctive features of mountain pastoral families in the past, and their adaptations to environmental and economic constraints, have been the subject of many comparative studies. Less effort has been invested in exploring the role of the family in todays pastoral economy and identifying structural and cultural continuities within the dramatic changes of the last decades. Our ethnographic fieldwork in several valleys of the Italian Western Alps revealed that, contrary to some expectations, families do retain a central economic and productive role and are instrumental in keeping pastoral farming alive. Some present-day herders belong to families that have continuously engaged in pastoralism for a long time; in other cases, younger generations have returned to pastoral work their parents abandoned for jobs in industry or the service sector; in still other cases, “new highlanders” have turned to pastoralism and become the heirs of local pastoral knowledge. Family structures have changed considerably, and their size and composition as well as their entrepreneurial choices depend on a delicate balance between market demands, domestic strategies to keep or attain the right household size and composition, and the availability of local resources. Access to communal resources to which some pastoral families are entitled by their local origin may prove crucial to the success of their enterprises.

Milk yield and quality of Aosta cattle breeds in Alpine pasture

Riassunto Produttività e qualità del latte di razze bovine valdostane in alpeggio. Lo studio riferisce sulla produttività e qualità del latte di bovine di razza Pezzata Rossa, Pezzata Nera e Castana Valdostana, allevate in dieci alpeggi della Valle d’Aosta. Sono state studiate le caratteristiche del latte individuale prelevato in momenti rappresentativi della fase di pascolamento estivo. I risultati confermano l’elevato grado di adattabilità delle lattifere anche in condizioni climatiche di particolare difficoltà (stagione estiva 2003); tuttavia, la composizione acidica del latte segnala un significativo calo dei PUFA in coincidenza del peggioramento della qualità dell’erba dei pascoli.

Effect of ruminally unprotected Echium oil on milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile in mid-lactation goats

This study investigated the effects on goat milk yield and composition of a diet supplemented with Echium plantagineum oil (EPO). Twenty-four mid-lactation multiparous Camosciata goats were divided into two balanced groups and fed for 44 d a diet based on hay and concentrate, supplemented (EPO group, Echium) or not (CON group, control) with 40 ml of ruminally unprotected EPO. Individual milk yield was recorded and individual milk samples were collected at 11, 22, 33, and 44 d after supplementation. Milk samples were analysed for milk components and fatty acids (FA). Data were statistically analysed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. Milk yield, protein and lactose contents were significantly higher in EPO than CON group. The inclusion of EPO significantly decreased total saturated FA and total branched-chain FA, and contemporarily sharply increased trans biohydrogenation intermediates (P ⩽ 0.001). Milk concentration of α-linolenic, stearidonic and γ-linolenic acids increased by 23, 1000 and 67%, respectively (P ⩽ 0.001). Due to extensive ruminal biohydrogenation, their apparent transfer rate was less than 3%. As a consequence, the milk concentrations of very long-chain (VLC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic (20:5 n-3) and dihomo-γ-linolenic (20:3 n-6) acids, significantly increased with EPO treatment, but values remained very low. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) was undetectable in all analysed milk samples. Results show that ruminally unprotected EPO can enhance milk yield and protein and improve the overall goat milk FA profile. However, this kind of supplementation cannot be considered a valuable strategy to develop goat functional dairy products enriched with VLC n-3 PUFA for human consumption.

Browsing frequency and milk fatty acids of goats foraging on open grassland and dense shrubland

Whether cattle grazing in nature reserves in temperate summers ought to be provided with artificial shelter (man-made), in addition to natural shelter (vegetation), is a topic of debate. We have investigated the effect of heat-load on the use of natural versus artificial shelter (with a roof and three walls) by cattle in eight nature reserves in Belgium. GPS collars were used to monitor use of open area, natural and artificial shelter during one or two summers (per 30 min). Cattle location data were coupled to same-time values of climatic ‘heat-stress indices’ calculated from local weather stations’ measurements of air temperature, air humidity, solar radiation and wind speed. Use of open area decreased as heat-load increased. The strength of the effect, and whether the cattle sought natural or artificial shelter, were associated with the amount and spatial distribution of natural shelter in the reserve. When natural shelter was sparse, a more scattered distribution tempered the increased use of shelter with increasing heat-load. If sufficiently available, cattle preferred natural to artificial shelter. When little natural shelter was available, cattle did use the artificial shelter and especially so with increasing heat-load. Microclimatic measurements indicated that solar radiation was blocked by vegetation at least as well as by artificial shelter, and allowed more evaporative cooling. In conclusion, we found no evidence for the added value of additional artificial shelter to protect cattle from heat-load in temperate nature reserves, as long as adequate natural shelter is available.Trabajo presentado al 65th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) (Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 al 28 de agosto, 2014).Trabajo presentado al 65th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) (Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 al 28 de agosto, 2014).Intramuscular fat content (IMF) influences important qualitative traits of meat as tenderness, juiciness and flavour, and technological characteristics. This trait is difficult to measure in vivo and is not included in the breeding programs, despite its medium heritability. Furthermore, IMF is a complex quantitative trait determined by several biochemical and metabolic processes influencing fat deposition in muscles. Indeed QTL affecting this trait have been already reported and some candidate genes were investigated in the last years, but relevant causative mutations have not been so far detected. Recently, thanks to the sequencing of the porcine genome and to the development of a high throughput genotyping porcine chip, it is possible to perform genome wide association (GWA) studies and put in light markers associated to this trait. With the aim to identify genes and markers associated to IMF we performed GWA using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip and 889 Italian Large White pigs included in the Sib Test genetic evaluation program of the Italian Association of Pig Breeders (ANAS). The association analyses were conducted using linear mixed model implemented in GenABEL. The results of GWA analysis allowed to detect seven markers significantly associated with IMF (P-value <10) mapped on chromosomes 1, 3, 8 and 12. A validation study on selected markers was performed using a mixed model procedure of SAS software. Markers identified, once confirmed, could be applied as candidate genes to improve meat quality traits in Italian Large White pigs.The constantly growing yearly demand for meat, dairy products and eggs has important implications for agricultural production methods. Nowadays livestock/crop production is becoming increasingly industrialised worldwide, shifting from extensive, small-scale, subsistence production systems towards more intensive, large-scale, geographicallyconcentrated, specialised and commercially oriented ones. The shift in livestock farming methods from extensive to intensive poses a number of significant challenges for animal welfare, environmental sustainability and food security. The indicators to assess animals health and welfare status, have been increased during the last years, and the importance of this discipline is now widely known worldwide. Thanks to the welfare quality ® protocol the procedure to assess the animal health and welfare has become more and more clear, precise and accurate since the project ended in 2009. Furthermore this procedure to assess animal welfare status is time consuming and requires manpower and accurate planning.Bearing in mind the objectives of this study to investigate the Barbary sheep fertility under our climatic conditions and to evaluate the efficiency of the prostaglandin f2α(pgf2α)injections in induction of fertile estrus in different seasons. For these objectives, some experiments were performed during the period from July,2008 to March, 2009. A total number of 300 Libyan Barbary ewes(3-6 years old, weighing 40-60 kg) was used in this experiment. Ewes were kept in privet farms, fed and managed similarly. Ewes were divided to four season groups(summer, autumn, winter and spring groups). Each season group was divided into treated and control. Animals in the treated groups were injected with double injections of 125 μg of prostaglandin f2α intramuscularly(i/m), 11 days apart. While those in control groups were injected with two injections of 1.0 ml of 0.9% NACL saline solution simultaneously with the treated ewes. At the same day (day 11) rams wearing painted sponges on their briskets regions were introduced for natural mating. Treated groups showed shorter estrus response time than control groups in all seasons(P<0.05). Estrus duration was longer in winter and spring than in summer and autumn (P<0.001),but no difference was found between treated and control groups inside seasons. Treated group showed higher pregnancy rate(P<0.001) in winter season than control group. Percentage of ewes lambed in winter was significantly high (P<0.001) among treated ewes than control (80 vs 38%). Lambing rate differed significantly (P<0.001) among treated groups in all seasons. Data were collected and calculated statistically using SPSS system for percentages, means, standard deviation(mean ± sd) analysis of variance (anova), Chi square and Dunacan’s test were used accordingly. Other values were measured, calculated and analyzed similarly. Adoption of technology in sheep farms of La Mancha, Spain J. Rivas1, C. De Pablos2, J. Perea1, C. Barba1, R. Dios-Palomares1, M. Morantes1 and A. García1 1Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain, 2Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Paseo de los Artilleros, 28034, Madrid, Spain; pa1gamaa@uco.es Recently in Spain the milk production coming from sheep farms shows higher degrees of specialization based on the adoption of technologies. The aim of this research is to examine the pattern of adoption of technologies in sheep farms of La Mancha. Based on previous researches, from 77 questions, only 38 questions were selected by using qualitative and participatory methods; the chosen variables were grouped into six technology packages (TP): management, feeding, animal health and milk quality, pasture and land use, equipment and facilities, and reproduction and breeding program. The survey was applied to a sample of 157 farms. Using descriptive statistics each TP was characterized and the pattern of adoption was determined. The average of technologies adopted was of 18.4±6.0 (48.3%). TP showing higher degrees of implementation are animal health and milk quality (67.8%), feeding (56.0%) and management (55.7%), but their adoption is not sequential or responds to independent events. This research facilitates the identification of a number of technologies that must be implemented from an organizational strategy point of view. Moreover, all technologies are seeking a dynamic balance system that allows firms migrate to more efficient processes without losing their main attributes. As a technological challenge, an andrologic evaluation of ram, gynecologic evaluation of ewes prior to mating, early detection of non-productive animals are proposed; and a better use of productive records for the decision-making; aspects are recommended. The results of this analysis will have an impact on future research that attempts to improve the use of subproducts, forage reserves and improved rangeland management and hygiene control system, taking the quality milk as an strategic asset, so further research is necessary to assess the impact of each technology on the operating of the mixed system in the Mancha region. Session 40 Poster 20 Session 40 Poster 19The present paper focuses on evaluating the Interobserver Reliability of the Animal Welfare Assessment Protocol for Growing Pigs. The protocol for growing pigs consists of a Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA), direct Behaviour Observations (BO), carried out by instantaneous scan sampling, a Human Animal Relationship Test (HAR) and checks for different Individual Parameters (IP), e.g. presence of tail biting, wounds and bursitis. Three trained observers collected the data by performing 29 combined assessments, which were done at the same time and on the same animals; but they were carried out completely independent of each other. The findings were compared by the calculation of Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficients (RS), Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Smallest Detectable Changes (SDC) and Limits of Agreements (LoA). There was no agreement found concerning the adjectives belonging to the QBA (e.g. active: RS: 0.50, ICC: 0.30, SDC: 0.38, LoA: -0.05-0.45; fearful: RS: 0.06, ICC: 0.0, SDC: 0.26, LoA: -0.20-0.30). In contrast, the BO showed good agreement (e.g. social behaviour: RS: 0.45, ICC: 0.50, SDC: 0.09, LoA: -0.09-0.03 use of enrichment material: RS: 0.75, ICC: 0.68, SDC: 0.06, LoA: -0.03-0.03). The rather low agreement of the HAR (RS: 0.38, ICC: 0.54, SDC: 0.34, LoA: -0.40-0.27) can be explained by the fact that the observers entered the pens one after the other to minimise mutual interference which influenced the reaction towards the second intruder. Overall, observers agreed well in the IP, e.g. tail biting (RS: 0.52, ICC: 0.88; SDC: 0.05, LoA: -0.01-0.02) and wounds (RS: 0.43, ICC: 0.59, SDC: 0.10, LoA: -0.09-0.10). The parameter bursitis, however, showed great differences (RS: 0.10, ICC: 0.0, SDC: 0.35, LoA: -0.37-0.40), which can be explained by difficulties in the assessment when the animals moved around quickly or their legs were soiled. In conclusion, the Interobserver Reliability was good in the BO and most individual IP, but not for the parameter bursitis and the QBA.

Autochthonous breeds, sustainable local exploitation, and quality of animal products: the case study of Piemontese cattle.

The purpose of this paper is to outline an approach, called the textual approach, to theoretically confirm the intersubjectivity of assessments of animal welfare. The field of medical hermeneutics is used as a source for inspiration of how to correlate results of disparate empirical methods in order to better understand the health status of another being. The textual approach suggests that farm animals should be assessed as physiological objects as well as experiencing subjects. Stress-measurements add information about the animal as an object, while the adjective-based method adds information about the animal as a subject. The textual approach also implies, morally, that the assessed animal should be treated as an intrinsically valued being. The concern for intersubjectivity is thus not only based on scientific concerns, but also concerns for the animals in themselves.As part of the IDEFICS obesity intervention study, baseline opinions about key issues were elicited from the parents of children about to take part in the intervention in eight European countries. This was done by a questionnaire, in which a set of questions was specifically designed to investigate attitudes towards ethical and public-policy aspects of interventions on healthy lifestyle and diet. The aim of these questions was partly to elicit parents’ views concerning the ethics and effectiveness of interventions, responsibilities of schools and parents themselves, and also to gain some indication as to how parents might view some of the policy options available. Here we present analysis of three of the questions on public-policy regarding healthy eating: 1. “I feel that the authorities don’t do enough to support healthy eating.” 2. “There should be a controlled restriction on advertising of high-fat and high-sugar foods.” 3. “Very unhealthy foods should be highly taxed while healthy foods should be subsidised.” We report here that there are statistically significant differences between the respondents both by country, and by gender. There is strong support among parents for controlled restriction on advertising of high-fat and high-sugar foods, as well as supporting of taxation of ‘unhealthy’ foods and subsidising of ‘healthy’ foods. In most countries men are more critical of authorities’ support of healthy eating than women, and they are also more in favour of taxation and subsidising of certain types of food.