Status of Podolic cattle in Greece

Christina Ligda

National Agricultural Research Foundation, Agricultural Research Centre of Northern Greece, Greek Gene Bank

• After World War II with the extensive application of the artificial insemination, using semen of imported pure cattle breeds, (Schwyz, Simmental, Charolais and Limousin) aiming at the increase of the body conformation traits and milk production.

• Cattle in Greece were genetically stratified as follows:– indigenous breeds (used mainly for meat production and draft

(not used for draft any more)– crossbred animals (meat and double purpose) – purebreds of foreign origin (dairy or double purpose breeds).

Greek Steppe(Bos Taurus Primigenius)

Greek Shorthorn(Bos Taurus Brachycerous)

SykiaKaterini

Brachykeratiki

Characteristics (1)

• Small size• Wither height

– 125 cm (males)

– 113 cm (females)

• Live weight– 375 kg (males)

– 280 kg (females)

• Lyra shaped horns• Grey colour (also brown and

black) –white ring around the nose

• Low milk and meat production• Preferred as draft animals

Characteristics (2)• High resistance to diseases• Low feeding requirements • Adapted to extensive

production systems. • Longevity• The calvings usually take

place outdoors• The calving interval is about

450 days• The age at first calving is 30

months • The lactation yield per year is

estimated, under good management conditions, at 700 kg that are consumed by the calves in a 6 months period

Current situation

The total population numbers of the Podolic cattle:

• Katerini breed– 217 breeding females in 2 herds in Central Greece

(Trikala and Magnissia)

• Sykia breed – should be considered as extinct

SWOT analysis (1)

StrengthsHigh quality product (meat)Functional traitsProduction system that can be easily adapted to the certification proceduresExploitation of local pastures – Value for landscape managementWell adapted to the local environment

WeaknessesPopulation structureLack of professional organisationsLack of marketing infrastructures Not wide application of certified labelling systems

SWOT analysis (2)OpportunitiesEU Rural Development policyIntroduction of innovation in the farming systems The increasing trends of certified and quality productsThe diversification of the agricultural activities in the rural areas

ThreatsLack of public funding and technical supportLack of professional organisations and strategies

Conservation activities

• Since 1998 the Katerini breed is supported in the frame of relevant EU programmes

• Monitoring of the population (Ministry of Rural Development and Agriculture and National Focal Point)

• Efforts to establish a Breeders Association

• Activities undertaken:– The protection and the management of pastures, natural

environment and landscape– The exploitation of the desirable characteristics of the breeds

under conservation (adaptability to harsh environments, disease resistance, low feeding requirements) for the production of quality products and coverage of the future needs

Actions

• Monitoring, characterisation

• Establishment of the breeders association

• Herdbook

• Development of breeding programme– Breeding objective– Genetic management

• Promotion activities

Breeding objectives

• Production and quality– Traits related with the low production cost– Link with the region – (adding value)– Maintain the environmental and cultural role

of the production systems

• Genetic diversity