International SUMMARY

TTHHEE IINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL MMAAGGAAZZIINNEE OOFF MMAARRCCHHIIGGIIAANNAA,, CCHHIIAANNIINNAA,, RROOMMAAGGNNOOLLAA,, MMAARREEMMMMAANNAA AANNDD PPOODDOOLLIICCAA CCAATTTTLLEE

16 th YEAR Number 1/2009

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Ville Unite SUMMARY Progressive genetics with a taste of tradition

Our results are built on passion, dedication and brood cows like this:

Ville Unite Ira Excellent 90 points (000M) Cow Index 117 Rank 97 (V.U. Eolo x V.U. Clara by Azzurro) Grand Champion Cow - 18th Romagnola Nationals Rocca S. Casciano, Forlì - June 3rd -5th 2005

VILLE3 – Taurus UNITE International R OMAGNOLA 1.2009 Via Viazza, 27 - 48010 Gambellara (RA) Telefono e fax +39 544 551 298 - Cell. +39 335 280100 E-mail: [email protected] web page: www.romagnola.it

SUMMARY

ANABIC Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Bovini Italiani da Carne

President: Fausto Luchetti

Director: Roberta Guarcini

TAURUS INTERNATIONAL

Managing Director: Roberta Guarcini

Editorial Secretary: Bernardetta Sensi

With the contribution of: Roberta Guarcini, Chiara Matteucci, Matteo Ridolfi, Maurizio Monaci, Edward Towers. 5 Everyone’s mad about the Istrian! Translations by: Itaca Servizi Linguistici, Bastia Umbra. 10 Pictures by: conquers Savigliano Gaia martuscelli, Pixmotion Di G. Panza Produzioni Video, Archivio ANABIC. 13 Considerations on calving ease Editorial office, subscriptions, advertisements: ANABIC 16 06132 - San Martino in Colle Meeting about theriogenology Tel. 075 6070021 Fax 075 607598 e-mail: [email protected] 18 Internet: www.anabic.it Perugia - From England: Edward Towers’ farm

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Events

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Everyone’s mad about the Istrian!

by Roberta Guarcini ANABIC Director

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his past 25 and 26 October, the Graziano Prekalj, Director of the Rural Istrian cattle breed was the focus of Development Agency of Istria (AZRRI), T the attention of an Italian delegation Aldo Stifanic, President of the Istrian that had arrived in Istria specifically for Cattle Breeders’ Association (SUIG), that purpose. The group included, for Gordan Subara, executive of the ANABIC, Director Roberta Guarcini, Economic Programmes of the Istrian together with technicians Andrea Quaglia Rural Development Agency, Prof. Ante (Herdbook Office) and Matteo Ridolfi, Ivankovic, Director of the Animal experts coordinator. Welcome and Husbandry Institute – Faculty of authoritative company on this interesting Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Goran cattle-breeding tour was provided by a Divjak, executive of the Regional Service qualified delegation from the region of – Croatian Livestock Centre, Ivanka , made up of Roberto Falotico, Bervida, of the Croatian Institute of Agriculture Commissioner of the Region Agriculture Consultancy, Melena Ramljak, of Basilicata, Francesco Pesce, General Faculty of Agriculture Assistant at the Manager of the Agriculture Inspections University of Zagreb, and Alfredo Department of the Region of Basilicata, Jedrejcic, Secretary of the SUIG, the Rocco Battaglino, President of the Istrian Cattle Breeders’ Association. After Provincial Breeders’ Association of the standard presentations and greetings Potenza, Augusto Calbi, Director of the by the Authorities of the two countries, Provincial Breeders’ Association of the representatives of the various Potenza and Matera, Rocco Giorgio, of Croatian organizations outlined the the Regional Office of Livestock technical and operational policies of the Productions and expert on the activities of their respective spheres of breed, and Donato Bochicchio, an aide of action, emphasizing the utmost Mr. Falotico. The purpose of the visit was willingness to cooperate on the planning to gain more in-depth knowledge on the of common development programmes for Istrian cattle breed, particularly similar to the agricultural and livestock sector. Of our Rustic breeds, as well as to cement particular interest was the presentation by the institutional relations already existing Mr. Graziano Prekalj who, after speaking with the ANABIC and those of the briefly of the origins and history of the Agricultural and Livestock system of Istria Istrian breed, described the development with the corresponding regional lines of its selection and enhancement, organizations of Basilicata. The with regard to which the selection and enchanting scenery offered by Istria in its traceability model used in Italy by the autumn atmosphere offered the ideal ANABIC is considered a point of setting for the meetings and visits to reference. Also particularly interesting farms. An important meeting was held on and enjoyable was the greeting by Aldo 25 October in Tinjan, a pleasant little Stifanic, President of the Istrian Cattle town that was hosting, during that period, Breeders’ Association, who, speaking in the International Ham Fair. Receiving the Venetian-Istrian dialect, after telling of the Italian delegates were the top authorities difficult times experienced by the breed in of the Istrian livestock system, including the past (which greatly reduced their Ivan Jakovcic, President of the Region of numbers), described the work done over Istria, Milan Antolovic, Agriculture the past decade, characterized by the first Commissioner of the Region of Istria, signs of recovery and with significant

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efforts made to qualify the breed’s meat. history of Matera and its “Sassi”, After having been on the threshold of inscribed by UNESCO as a World extinction 15 years ago, with only 150 Heritage site and a location used as a set head of cattle remaining, the breed for a number of major films. During his reversed the trend, tripling its numbers presentation, Mr. Falotico underscored and becoming the focus of growing the environmental similarities between interest, also backed by a consolidated the agricultural worlds of Basilicata and tradition that sees it strongly bound to the Istria, confirming – also in view of the territory. At the end of his talk, Mr. Stifanic upcoming entrance of Croatia into the made a gift to Mr. Falotico of a small European Union – the support of his model of the Istrian Ox and an interesting organization in terms of both political- book on the history of the breed. For his organizational experience and the part, Mr. Falotico gave to those present a development of livestock-based initiatives copy of the book of photographs “La of common interest. Podolica” by Rocco Giorgio, published by the Region of Basilicata. The next person to speak, ANABIC Director Roberta Guarcini, described the ANABIC’s institutional role and activity, Istria - Italian delegation at the meeting about Istrian cattle breed dwelling on the restructuring of the genetic centre and the most important VISITS TO BREEDING FARMS initiatives undertaken to support Alongside the institutional part, the trip to selection, first and foremost of which the Istria also featured visits to several DNA Bank. The occasion could not have breeding farms, where our delegation been a more propitious one for was received with the cordiality and mentioning and promoting the 1 st friendliness of the owners. The Istrian International Congress of Breeds of the breed is very similar to our cattle of the Podolica Strain, planned to take place in Podolica strain, and shares many Matera in June 2009, which will feature common traits with the Pugliese del our breeds as protagonists together with breed, which was common up their European “cousins” sharing the until the 1960s in various provinces of the same origin, and with regard to which Veneto region with a population of over preliminary contacts are under way with 100,000 animals, but today is the operators of the various countries. unfortunately extinct. The Istrian is large This point was discussed by Agriculture in size, with a grey coat, lyre-shaped Commissioner of the Region of Basilicata, horns, and body proportions that make it Mr. Falotico, who stressed the millenary similar to both the Podolica, in length, structure, and distribution of the trunk

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volumes, and to the Romagnola, in the visit to Parendo and Rovigno, towns of bone structure quality, strength of the strong tourist attraction which reflect, in forequarters, and rump diameters. Of their architecture, the strong cultural particular interest in this animal is also the impact of the Republic of Venice on the maternal aptitude, evident in both the territory of Istria. volume of the udder and the correct conformation of the teats, and in the DEVELOPMENTS strong growth rates of suckling calves. The closeness between the The calves are born tawny in colour and characteristics of the Istrian bovine and weigh around 35 kg at birth, and calvings those of the Italian breeds of the are generally spontaneous. The animals Podolica strain was the underlying reason are summer-grazed with the aid of simple for the interest of the Rural Development shelters and their feed ration is Agency of Istria (AZRRI) in them, and in supplemented during the winter season. particular in the Podolica breed, very Used for centuries as an animal engine similar to the Istrian not only in for working in the fields, the breed morphology but also in its rusticity, developed particularly correct limbs with frugality, and excellent maternal traits. well shaped, exceptionally strong feet. The selection scheme used by the The muscle covering is uniform and ANABIC was judged to be that most in determines yields which, in bullocks, are keeping with the breed’s necessities just under 60%. Cows’ weights vary compared to those used in Europe for between 650 and 750 kg, while adult bulls other beef breeds, and the in-depth can reach and exceed 1,100 kg. There is studies being made over time through the an interesting habit of breeders to resort reciprocal exchanges of a technical to castration of bulls at three years of age nature are bound to produce important to use them as work oxen, for which there results. The upcoming International is still a strongly rooted tradition. The Congress of Matera, as was the case for recourse to the farm bull is common to all that of Gubbio, will lay the foundations for farms, and there are 4 main paternal lines an even closer cooperation not only which currently survive in the breed. With between our two countries, but also with regard to this, both the Istrian Cattle all those who preserve the genetics of the Breeders’ Association (SUIG) and the grey breeds of the Podolica strain. Istrian Rural Development Agency are Alongside the Istrian and Hungarian Grey drawing and distributing the seminal breeds, realities with which contacts have material of young bulls to contribute to already taken place, there are also other maintaining genetic variability in the breeds, such as the Turkish Grey, the breed. The enhancement of the meat Ukrainian Grey, and Bulgarian Iskar, and productions and the traceability of the others still. The ANABIC intends to look whole production chain are the elements into the possibility of interacting with currently being worked on by the Istrian these ethnic groups and their respective Breed “system”. The passion of the livestock systems, broadening its breeders and the technical support of horizons and offering its experience and their organizations seem to point to a interest in cooperation. positive evolution for this bovine of To wind up the comments on our interesting potential. Our tour of the adventure in Istria, we wish to express breeding farms also left time for a short some special thanks, first of all to Mr.

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Graziano PreKalj, AZRRI Director, his Podolica breed, were further intensified aide Mr. Gordan Subara, whom we had and enriched by new and ambitious already met in Italy and who was our kind programmes for the future. tutor throughout the entire visit, and Aldo Stifanic, the passionate President of the Istrian Cattle Breeders’ Association, who made us feel “at home” with his fluent Venetian dialect, and through whom we also wish to express our appreciation to the Istrian breeders. Lastly, our sincere thanks also go to the authoritative Basilicata group of our delegation, who had regional Agriculture Commissioner Roberto Falotico as their most authoritative member, and with whom the already strong cooperation relations, through which we work to further the

Istrian cattle grazing in the pasture

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The Chianina conquers Savigliano

by Chiara Matteucci ANABIC Shows Office

uccess and praise for the 4th edition of “Madama la Piemonteisa”, held this S past 26-28 September in Savigliano, a charming and hospitable town in the province of Cuneo. The numerous visitors crowding the key spots of the event decreed its unstoppable success. The event, which has now reached its fourth year, takes its name from a steak of tender Piemontese beef which, having become one of the main dishes of the regional gastronomy, decided to “challenge”, with a sort of competition, other major cattle breeds: the Charolais, the Chianina and, for the first time, the Angus also. The only concession granted: that of being escorted by a team of breeders, butchers, and chefs. As Luigi Ponsi, President of the Ente Manifestazioni (Events Authority) of Savigliano, confirmed, the 2008 edition “intended to highlight the sections of the animal which are little known and often underrated, the so-called ‘poor’ cuts, and all bovine by-products which, however, can be used to create dishes rich with personality, tastiness, and flavour.” The idea was t reconstruct the quality of the meat from the field to the butcher’s counter, in a very simple way; for each breed there was a stand, in our case called “Casa Chianina”, positioned in one of the four corners of the majestic Piazza del Popolo. Our breed, just like for the previous edition, was represented by a group of 7 animals (1 bull calf, 1 heifer, 3

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cows, and 2 heifer calves) from Gian our case, was entrusted to the Region of Michele Graziani’s La Viola farm in , where award-winning farms exhibited their gems, such as La Cantina dei Colli Perugini of Marsciano with its Colle Regio wine, Grifo Latte’s pecorino and caciotta cheeses from Norcia and Colfiorito, the Montefalco Rosso and Sagrantino wines of Montefalco by the Farchioni Group of Trevi, and the ever- present Il Casolare extra virgin olive oil, also by the Farchioni Group, a fundamental partner in exalting the flavour meat dishes. Over the three days there were Ravenna. also the “Great Challenges”, Health and sanitary problems connected where counters, stoves, and grills aided with the moving of the animals from butchers in preparing the best cuts and Umbria and were not able to chefs who, in an atmosphere of healthy block the “landing” of the Chianina which and friendly competition, demonstrated – thanks to the helpfulness and the live preparation of typical dishes. professionalism of the Graziani farm The sole judges, with forks in hand and which, in addition to being a leader in the “whetted” palate, were the public. Romagnola cattle world, for a couple of The novelty this year was the years now has been obtaining great establishment of the First International results with the Chianina also – enabled Cooking Competition, entirely devoted to us to be present in full regalia at the the preparation of meat dishes. event. For the second time, Massimo Infarinati, Inside “Casa Chianina”, in addition to the chef and teacher at the Università dei cattle, the protagonists par excellence, Sapori , was given the task and honour of and an entire photography show devoted making known and promoting Chianina to it, there was a detailed informational beef. route comprising the traits of the animals, As during the previous edition, Massimo diet, types of breeding systems, and lived up to expectations, managing not product certification. only to conquer and delight both insiders Also part of the “Casa Chianina” was a and common folk, but also achieving an big attraction, the Chianina Beef Shop, unexpected “sold out” at the Chianina run by the Ricci butcher’s shop in Beef Shop. Trequanda () and sponsored by the The stands of the four breeds were Consortium for the Defence of the always crowded with visitors, as were the “Central Apennine White Bullock”. tasting spots: at least 3,000 tickets were Particular mention goes to the stand of distributed for meat tastings in just three the Typical Breeding Regions which, in days.

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But Madama was also so much more: “Madama la Piemonteisa”, to the Mayor from visits to farms, to teaching of the town of Marsciano Gianfranco workshops for both youngsters and Chiacchieroni, to Grifo Latte President adults, to cooking lessons, to an area Carlo Catanossi, for his support and reserved for dairy products made using contribution, and to the Tourist Promotion the milk of Piemontese cows, and even an artisans’ village. For three days the historic centre of Savigliano was transformed into an agro- food fair, but also a cultural occasion, since buildings and museums remained open especially “CASA CHIANINA ” Anabic ’s corner at the Piazza del Popolo in Savigliano for the tourists, who could take advantage Agency of the Region of Umbria. of guided tours and poetic settings. An arrivederci also to our “rivals”, the The final results of the event were more Piemontese, Charolais, and Angus than positive, and even the foreign breeds, which we were able to get to delegations were struck by the know better. extraordinary flow of visitors it attracted, and by the sensation it caused at the international level also. In conclusion, we would like to thank all those who enabled us to participate, from the Ente Manifestazioni of Savigliano, to “Deik Cultura e Turismo”, to the Town of Savigliano, organizers and promoters of

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Considerations on calving ease

by Matteo Ridolfi Morphological Evaluations Office

T aurus issue no. 4/2007 featured a calving. Selecting the breeds by muscle preliminary study by Fiorella Sbarra development and weight gain, both traits of the ANABIC Genetic Evaluation Office which are negatively correlated with on the calving ease of the five Italian beef calving ease, it is also logical to expect breeds, based on data transmitted by calves that are heavier and more breeders to their Provincial Breeders’ muscular at birth, and that calving ease Associations. The purpose of the study may evolve over time. We are also seeing was to verify the variability of the trait in a clear evolution of the type of breeding the populations of the five breeds. What system used with our breeds, with a was studied was the direct effect of the definite trend toward loose housing trait, broken down, according to the Italian and/or toward the seasonal summer Breeders’ Association classification, into grazing system, an aspect that selection the following classes: absolutely must support in order to a) spontaneous or unassisted facilitate breeders in the management of calving; their herds. There are numerous b) calving with the assistance of one variables that influence the recording of person; calving ease, first of which is the c) caesarian section subjectivity of whoever provides the data d) calving with the assistance of 2 or and whoever records it, without more persons or mechanical overlooking the “memory” of the supplier means. of the information, or the breeder’s instinctive reluctance to talk about The result of the study showed an problems in managing his herd. The fact overwhelming preponderance of classes remains that the information on calving A and B (which together account for ease is some of the most useful about 97% of all calvings), with classes C information a breeder can provide, and and D documented only sporadically. The therefore it is necessary to recommend fact that our breeds are easily managed the utmost attention and precision, in in this respect is reassuring; in particular, order to be able to advise on the use of it is a fact that for the two “rustic” breeds, the bulls, in particular the younger ones, and Podolica, calving in the most appropriate way. In the breed usually takes place without any help expert circles, “word of mouth” rules, and whatsoever, whereas for the specialized the need to provide information means breeds it is slightly more probable that the that even without the “official seal of cows will receive assistance for their approval”, the impressions concerning

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young bulls circulate rapidly, as soon as Other factors that also influence the some expert has had the chance to see dimensions of the foetus are gender and the first products. Knowing whether or not twin pregnancies, which occur in our a bull can be used on heifers is, in fact, a breeds with a percentage ranging from frequent necessity for breeders who 3% to 5%. The muscle and skeletal resort to AI. development of the foetus itself, its It should also be stressed that for breeds transverse diameters, and its such as ours, in which the only source of presentation at the moment of birth also income produced by the cow is the calf, have an influence on the course of the there is a widespread sensitivity among calving itself, for which other factors of breeders regarding these problems. particular importance are the individual sensitivity to oxytocin and the contractile A COMPLEX TRAIT strength of the uterine wall, the The foetus does not develop solely as a transverse diameters between the rear result of the genetic makeup inherited osseous tuberosities of the rump, the from each of its two parents, but is also capacity of the sacro-ischiatic ligaments largely influenced by the environment. to loosen, the muscle tone, and the cow’s The environment with which the embryo tone. This excursus renders the idea of first, and then the foetus, has deep how vast the range of environmental interactions, is that of the mother’s uterus. factors is, and to these must be added Calving ease is, in fact, strongly the aspects of a genetic nature. The latter influenced by these interactions. The must take into account the fact that the extension of the internal surface of the genetic makeup of the foetus and that of uterus, on which the cotyledons of the the mother are different from one another. placenta are implanted, is considerably The “calving difficulty” trait may thus be greater in mature cows than in first- examined with regard to two fundamental calvers, and is an important aspects: the calf’s ease of birth (direct environmental variable. The uterine horn genetic effect) and the mothers’ calving in which the pregnancy takes place may ease (maternal or indirect effect). These also influence the dimensions of the two effects are, however, negatively foetus. For example, a pregnancy in the correlated to one another to a significant left uterine horn may feel the effects of extent, and this means that the selection the compression against the pregnant for one of the two aspects negatively uterus from the rumen. The efficiency of affects the other. A sire that produces the complex hormonal balance that small-sized calves and with a high calving develops during the pregnancy between ease due to their reduced pelvic the mother and the foetus is another diameters will tend to produce daughters element of fundamental importance, and with greater calving difficulties because of may influence, for example, the length of their narrow pelvis. the gestation. The cow’s state of nutrition is another important parameter that can HOW TO MANAGE THE TRAIT affect the size of the foetus. Another The analysis of the numerous aspects important parameter that can influence that influence the trait makes it clear how the course of the pregnancy and the the importance of environmental effects calving is the mother’s state of health. decidedly overwhelms genetic ones. The

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calving difficulty trait thus falls under not excessively penalizing the genetic those of low inheritability, with regard to progress of the breeding farm. However, which it will be difficult, because of the the crucial point of not providing prompt low accuracy of the indices, to offer information with regard to the calving breeders a guarantee against the ease of young bulls on heifers remains. occurrence of calvings with calves of The suggestion is thus to use some of the dimensions higher than expected. The heifers for young bulls, carefully choosing data concerning the ease of birth of the the more developed ones and those with progeny of a sire are only an approximate the more open rumps. On the other hand, indication aiming to reduce the on more mature cows, bulls can be used occurrence of problems. All breeders while paying less attention to the type of want their heifers to go through their first calving, also in order to avoid setting too calving without too many risks, but to many limitations for the genetic exasperate the concept with the repeated improvement that may be attained. use of “easy” bulls ends up becoming, As we have seen, there are numerous with time, an obligatory choice to managerial aspects that influence the guarantee against problematic calvings of trait, primarily the nutrition level of the cows with increasingly narrow pelvises. It rations for the pregnant mothers during is common and justified to abstain from the period leading up to the calving. In using calving-difficult bulls on heifers, on fact, cows that are too fat are more prone which there is also a tendency to avoid to dystocia, not only because of the larger the use of young bulls, on which there is size of the foetus, but also due to the not much information. The problem might deposit of fat in their birth canals. It is be solved by fertilizing the heifers with necessary to keep the cow from calving-easy bulls, and not keeping the increasing her weight too much during the females obtained for replacement period between a weaning and the next servicing. However, considering that the calving. One case where weight gain best genetics of a breeding farm involved becomes necessary is when the cow in selection activities is represented by arrives at the end of the suckling period the young cattle, we might wonder if it too thin; it is, however, always desirable would be worth the price. A sensible for the weight gain and recovery of body solution might be that of making an initial condition to take place during the last part selection of the heifers, culling the less- of the lactation period and not during the developed ones and those with small rear dry period. diameters of the rump, inseminating Another important element is the those held for replacement servicing with possibility for the pregnant cow to move bulls of average calving ease. Such a about freely, since exercise is good choice is based on the fact that usually, preparation for an easy calving. Lastly, it because of the smaller uterus dimensions is useful to have on the farm a clean compared to more mature cows, heifers calving room with abundant litter, in which give birth to calves of smaller size. The to house the cows at the end of their females deriving from these matings, pregnancies, so they can calve in total once impregnated, would then be able to tranquillity, as they would in nature. go through their first calving without too many problems, with the further benefit of

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Meeting about theriogenology

by Maurizio Monaci DVM, PhD, Professor of Reproduction of the Department of Pathology, Diagnostic and Veterinary Clinics, University of Perugia - School of Veterinary Medicine

eter Chenoweth, Professor of P Veterinary Reproduction at Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga) was the featured speaker at a Master of Dairy Production Medicine (MDPM) symposium conducted by the University of Perugia, October 30 th and 31 st 2008. This meeting was sponsored by The University of Perugia, The Master Dairy Production Medicine Program, The National Veterinary Foundation of Italy (FNOVI) and National Association of Italian Breeders (ANABIC)/Ministry for Agricultural Policy. It was attended by veterinarians undertaking the MDPM program, theriogenologists (both veterinary practitioners and academics), veterinary practitioners, and representatives of the national breed associations and artificial insemination centers and was coordinated by Professor Maurizio Monaci, DVM, PhD, Professor of Reproduction of the Department of Pathology, Diagnostic and Veterinary Clinics, University of Perugia - School of Veterinary Medicine, v.S.Costanzo 4 - 06126 Perugia – Italy. Dr Sylla Lakamy, of the same department, Professor Chenoweth and Dr Sylla provided valuable logistical support. Lakamy inspecting a bull at ANABIC

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Professor Chenoweth gave the following breeds (, Chianina and presentations at the meeting: Romagnola) by Dr Matteo Ridolfi. Here, 1. Bull Fertility Testing he had the opportunity to observe the 2. Common and Uncommon Problems in future sires of the iconic Italian breeds and Breeding Bulls. to be impressed by the quality of the 3. Bull Semen: Selected Topics. animals. He commented that “these 4. Fertility: The Bottom Line. animals represent an invaluable genetic resource, not only for Italy but also for the In addition, he visited the School of rest of the world”. Veterinary Medicine, University of These meeting and visits provided a Perugia. Here, he was most impressed by unique opportunity to establish the quality of the teaching facilities as well collaborative networks between as by both the academic staff and academics and industry in Australia and students that he had the opportunity to Italy, based upon mutual problems and meet. complementary expertise. Professor Professor Chenoweth also inspected the Chenoweth was very appreciative of the ANABIC Central Genetics Center where opportunity to attend the meeting which he was welcomed by the director, Dr he found to be both stimulating and Roberta Guarcini and briefed on the informative. selection criteria used for the different

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From England:Edward Towers’ farm

by Edward Towers

when my father was one of a group who imported them from Italy. Our own Chianina bull died in 2005 and we were unable to find another one in the UK so began to use AI. The semen available in the UK was from the original importation in the 1970s. When we had used all the semen we could source in the UK we decided to contact Anabic to try to import semen direct from Italy ourselves. The semen arrived in April 2008 and we are expecting the first calves to Iero early in 2009. The auction of stock ur farm is a 260 hectare dairy farm calves, a popular opportunity for breeders in the North West of England, near to meet and discuss the current situation O to the English Lake District. We milk was held on Monday. 330 cows. The majority of these are Despite the efforts of the auctioneer, the Holstein, but we also milk about 80 pure auction left everyone with a bitter taste in bred Swedish Red which we imported from Sweden as in-calf heifers. We rear most of our own dairy replacements but some animals are served to Chianina. We find although the gestation period is slightly longer we have no difficulties with calving. The calves are very strong and alert when new born. These cross bred cattle are kept extensively until they are 18 to 24 months when they are sold for finishing. The price achieved is good. Recently heifers aged 20/22 months averaged 900 Euros and bullocks of the same age averaged 1000 Euros. Our interest in Chianina began in the 1970s

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their mouth given the poor sales restaurateurs from the Municipalities of recorded. Badia Tedalda and Sestino offered Apart from the financial aspect, the show participants a food festival called “… live continued successfully with the popular on Chianina…” with menus featuring judging competition between agricultural exclusively PGI Chianina meat. Yet institutes, awarding of the “Mario Casini” another opportunity to appreciate the and “Silvio Datti” trophies and the prize to flavour and quality of this excellent meat: the best animal in show, with a trophy after all, the proof of the pudding is in the awarded by the National Association of eating! Chianina Cities. Once again this year,

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