Objective Background :Meat production based on local beef breeds exploited in extensive grazing systems in less developed regions is an objective perfectly consistent with the priorities of the reformed CAP. Nevertheless, there is a great challenge for local beef breeds to ensure the production of quality meat in accordance to the consumer demands altogether with the sustain of the economic activity in these less favoured regions. Knowledge on minority local beef cattle breeds is very poor. A systematic research for the characterization of such breeds regarding their genetic potential for producing quality meat is warranted. In Spain, Portugal and France, there are a considerable number of local cattle breeds for which, there is little information on numbers, productivity, management system, genetic variability and carcass composition. The objective is :This proposal will describe from a multidisciplinary approach the above characteristics for 17 local breeds. Statistics on numbers, herds, productivity and management will be obtained by survey, the genetic structure of the breeds will be characterised by molecular genetic markers and analysis of growth performance, carcass and meat quality will be made in controlled studies. Short description of the project :The project will consist of three main parts:- Characterization of the production systems. This will done through updating and analyzing statistics, studying databases containing production traits records, and evaluating breeding goals after grouping breeds exhibiting similar production systems;- Study of the genetic structure of breeds and their relationships through molecular genetic markers. The genetic structure will be described in terms of inter alia, gene flows, effective herd sizes, age structure, generation lenghts and the evolution of inbreeding. A population analysis based upon data from molecular markers will be carried out in each breed by studying a common battery of fifteen microsatellites in 50 unrelated individuals randomly sampled;- Analysis of growth performances, carcass and meat quality traits. A sufficient number of individuals from each selected breed will be reared in similar conditions to monitor growth rate. After slaughter, standard carcass measurements and grading will be carried out. Meat quality will be assessed both by instrumental measurements and trough a taste panel. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasessocial scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivityagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandry Programme(s) FP4-FAIR - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development), 1994-1998 Topic(s) 4.1.1 - Optimisation of methods, systems and primary production chains Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA EU contribution No data Address 08193 BELLATERRA - BARCELONA Spain See on map Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all DIRECCION GENERAL DE PRODUCCION. INVEST. Y FORMACION AGRARIAS. CONSEJERIA DE AGRICULTURA Y COMERCIO - JUNTA DE EXTREMADURA Spain EU contribution No data Address APARTADO 22 06800 BADAJOZ See on map Total cost No data I.N.R.A. - CENTRE DE RECHERCHES DE JOUY-EN-JOSAS France EU contribution No data Address DOMAINE DE VILVERT 78352 JOUY-EN-JOSAS See on map Total cost No data INSTITUTO DE ESTRUTURAS AGRARIAS E DESENVOLVIMENTO RURAL Portugal EU contribution No data Address AVDA. ANTONIO SERPA, 26, 1 1050 LISBOA See on map Total cost No data INSTITUTO DE RECERCA I TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIES Spain EU contribution No data Address GRANJA CAMPS I ARMET, S/N 17121 MONELLS See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID Spain EU contribution No data Address CIUDAD UNIVERSITARIA 28040 MADRID See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA Spain EU contribution No data Address C. MIGUEL SERVET, 177 50013 ZARAGOZA See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO Portugal EU contribution No data Address LARGO PROF. ABEL SALAZAR 4021 PORTO See on map Total cost No data
