What farmers value matters for the management of local breeds: A case study of the Pyrenean goat breed

Simple SummaryMilk fatty acid composition affects human health and dairy products flavor. In particular, some saturated fatty acids increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, whereas conjugated linoleic acid inhibits carcinogenesis and reduces atherosclerosis and diabetes. Moreover, a greater amount of some short chain fatty acids increase the goaty flavor of dairy products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the breed and week of lactation effects on milk fatty acid profile of 5 Italian local goat breeds and a cosmopolitan breed reared in the same farm. Results showed that the fatty acid profile was mainly affected by the week of lactation. Saturated fatty acids were abundant in early lactation and unsaturated fatty acids were abundant in late lactation. Local goat breeds produced milk with lower concentration of saturated fatty acids than the cosmopolitan breed. This study may contribute to valorize milk of Italian local goat breeds which seems to have a healthier profile than milk of the cosmopolitan breed.Fatty acid (FA) profile plays an important role on human health and on sensory quality of dairy products. There is few information about breed influence on milk FA profile of local goat breeds. This study aimed to characterize and compare the milk FA profile of 5 local endangered goat breeds (Garganica, Girgentana, Jonica, Maltese, and Mediterranean Red) and a cosmopolitan breed (Saanen) reared in the same farm during a complete lactation. A total of 252 milk samples were collected monthly from 42 goats (7 goats per breed) and analyzed for gross composition and FA profile. Individual FA was determined using gas-chromatography. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures with breed and week of lactation as fixed effects. Results showed that the FA profile was significantly affected by week of lactation and only few FA by breed effect (p < 0.05). Overall, the main differences were found between Saanen and local breeds. This study contributed to the characterization of goat milk FA profile, and it may be of interest for the valorization of milk from local goat breeds which seem to have a healthier profile than milk of the cosmopolitan breed.

Simple SummaryThe progressive abandonment of local breeds dramatically threatens livestock biodiversity. The knowledge of these breeds should be broadened to understand their adaptive strategies, optimize their performance, promote their conservation, and thus contribute to ecological restoration. Investigating colostrum quality could be meaningful for understanding the nutritive concentration capacities and immunological status of females, and, as a consequence, for the future health status and growth of newborns. We hypothesize that the composition of goat colostrum is influenced by the breed and its typical farming system making colostrum from local breeds different from cosmopolitan ones. This study aimed to characterize colostrum quality, including basic chemical composition (i.e., fat, protein, lactose, and total solids) and immune variables (i.e., IgG, IgM, and lactoferrin) in three different local goat breeds from Northern Italy (i.e., Frisa Valtellinese, Orobica, and Lariana) and a cosmopolitan one (i.e., Camosciata delle Alpi) reared under traditional semi-extensive and intensive systems, respectively. Results showed variability in the colostrum quality among breeds, which could be linked to the different farming systems, processes of artificial and natural selection, and meat or dairy aptitude of the animals. However, local goats had a higher quality of colostrum that could confer greater hardiness and rusticity to their kids.This study aimed to characterize the colostrum quality in three different local goat breeds of Northern Italy (i.e., Frisa Valtellinese, Orobica, and Lariana) and a cosmopolitan one (i.e., Camosciata delle Alpi) (n = 30 per breed), reared under traditional semi-extensive and intensive systems, respectively. Lariana showed the highest percentage of fat (10.18 ± 3.14%) and total solids (30.73 ± 4.89%) but the lowest percentage of lactose (1.87 ± 0.82%; p < 0.05); Orobica had the lowest percentage of fat (7.13 ± 2.48%), total solids (24.11 ± 5.48%), and protein (10.77 ± 4.53%) but the highest percentage of lactose (3.16 ± 0.73%; p < 0.05). This suggests that breeds which have a more pronounced meat aptitude (i.e., Frisa and Lariana) have a higher concentration of components than breeds with more dairy aptitude (i.e., Orobica and Camosciata). Uni- and multivariate analyses showed that IgG is the parameter that best differentiates local breeds from cosmopolitan ones (p < 0.01). Colostrum from Frisa goats showed the highest IgG concentration (100.90 ± 8.11 mg/mL), while the lowest concentration was in the Camosciata breed (74.75 ± 20.16 mg/mL). Finally, the highest lactoferrin concentration was in Frisa (1781.3 ± 892.6 µg/mL) and the lowest in Camosciata and Lariana (763.1 ± 357.9 and 1148.0 ± 858.6 µg/mL, respectively; p < 0.05). Differences between Camosciata and local breeds could be due to the different farming systems, in addition to the genetic characteristics. The higher quality of colostrum produced by some local goats could be an adaptive characteristic that helps the growth and survival of the kids.

Native goat breeds play an important role both in the safeguarding of biodiversity and the development of local economy. This study aimed to evaluate milk coagulation properties (MCP) of local (Garganica, Girgentana, Maltese, Mediterranean Red) and cosmopolitan (Saanen) goat breeds. From May to August 2018, 46 goats were sampled monthly in an experimental farm; milk samples were analysed for fat, protein and lactose percentages, pH, SCC and MCP. Data were evaluated through a mixed linear model with repeated measures, including breed, month of lactation and parity as fixed effects. Month of lactation affected all studied traits, and breed affected MCP, protein percentage, lactose percentage and pH. Milk composition and coagulation properties were better in local breeds than Saanen. In particular, milk of local breeds was richer in protein percentage, and coagulated and reached 20 mm of curd firmness on average 3.14 and 2.56 min earlier than Saanen, respectively. Moreover, the firmest curd was observed in Girgentana (31.44 mm) and the weakest in Garganica (21.72 mm). Rennet coagulation time and curd firmness decreased towards the end of lactation, differing significantly between May (10.62 min and 31.69 mm, respectively) and August (8.33 min and 20.69 mm, respectively), whereas curd-firming time only differed between May and June–July. In conclusion, milk of local breeds showed better milk coagulation ability than the cosmopolitan breed. Highlights Breed and month of lactation were important sources of variation of goat MCP. Local goat breeds showed better MCP than Saanen. Valorisation of the milk from the local breeds might be a tool to preserve native genetic resources.

The objective of this study was to identify development tendencies of farms that rear local goat breeds, and the level of application of intensive management elements, in order to design proper preservation policies. The study was based on the data collected in 52 farms that keep goats of five local breeds in Albania. Statistical data processing (SPSS) has shown that the main reason for keeping local goats is the adaptation to biophysical conditions (84.6% of farmers), resistance to pathologies (34.6%), quality of product for human use (34.5%), high productivity (15.4%). About 36.5% of farmers plan to increase number of animals. This tendency is more evident at bigger farms. These farms are more the market oriented, and show a higher management level, as use of concentrate before and after kidding, use of hay during the winter, higher replacement rate etc. They have higher kidding percentage, compared with other farms. Practices to avoid inbreeding are more common at bigger farms but the problem still exists. Reduction of number of purebred local goats and number of farms increase the threat to local breeds. Differences evidenced in the study show that bigger farms are better structures for preservation of local goat breeds. Development policies, especially those in protection of local breeds need to focus mainly in bigger farms that may become model farms or ARC farms in mountain and hilly areas.

The research was carried out in 2021 to determine the specific quality properties of local Mongolian breeds of cashmere goats. The research covered 122 herder households from 13 soums in 8 aimags. A total of 4,560 samples were collected from 1,522 goats representing the main factors determining cashmere quality: ecological habitat, various herd management practices, local breeds, age and sex of goats, and cashmere colour. Cashmere fibre diameter (FD), fibre curvature (FC), and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD) were tested in 1,522 samples, and cashmere length was tested in 1,387 samples. The overall mean fibre diameter (MFD) was 16.1 μm, mean length (FL) was 44.9 mm, and fibre curvature (FC) was 61.9°/mm. Cashmere from one-year-old goats was significantly finer than cashmere from older goats (about 1.0 μm, P&lt;0.05). Cashmere from does in the samples tested was significantly finer than cashmere from the bucks. Over the range in mean fibre diameter, from 13.5 to 19.0 µm, fibre curvature declined from 87.8 to 44.2°/mm. Of all cashmere samples, 40.6% belonged to super fine (≤15.5µm), 43.7% and 12.1% had a fibre diameter between 15.51-16.80 and 16.81-17.50 μm, respectively, and were suitable for knitwear. Only 3.6% of samples tested were between 17.51 to 19.00 μm and may only be suitable for weaving. The average CVFD values of cashmere of Mongolian breeds of cashmere goats was 22.5 ± 0.04%, with an individual range of 17.0-26.9%. This shows that it has lesser variation than Alashan white cashmere goats of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, where CVFD ranged from 27.09% to 41.39%. Compared to cashmere from China, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, with mean fibre curvature of 46, 46, and 58mm, respectively, the cashmere of local Mongolian breeds of goats would be considered curvier and longer, which makes stronger yarns. Short, higher crimped, softer cashmere may be preferred for woollen-spun yarns, but longer, lower crimped, softer cashmere may be preferred for woven yarn destined for knitwear. Fibre curvature of Mongolian cashmere goats declined an average of 6.1°/mm for a 1µm increase in MFD, which is similar to the 5.8°/mm observed in Chinese Liaoning goats, but less than the 13.6°/mm measured in controlled experiments with Australian goats. Significant differences were found between the cashmere of local Mongolian breeds of goats kept in open, natural rangelands and herded in a nomadic way in distinct ecological conditions of harsh continental climate compared to those breeds of goats kept in intensive farming. This shows the potential to offer distinct quality cashmere from local Mongolian breeds while maintaining proper management and selective breeding.

About 950,000 goats, farmed mostly in hilly and mountainous areas of Albania, contribute about 8% of the country’s total milk production. In order to increase milk production, farmers are currently using crosses of the local goat breed with exotic breeds, mainly the Alpine breed from France. This study examines milk production data of first lactation from 45 goats of the local breed, 82 goats of the Alpine breed and 58 F1 crosses (♂Alpine breed × ♀local breed). The goats were kept on small-scale farms according to the traditional Albanian system. Milking was carried out in the morning and evening. Kids were weaned at 65 days of age after which milking started. Milk yield was recorded twice with a 15-day interval between the two readings. Total milk yield was calculated using the Fleischmann method. The F1 goats produced 37.8 kg more milk than local breed goats although the lactation length (P<0.05) of F1 goats was six days shorter compared to that of local breed goats (P<0.05). Analysis of variance showed a highly significant effect (P<0.01) of the genotype factor on milk production. The average Cappio-Borlino curves of three genotypes indicated that the lactation curves of local breed and F1 crosses were similar. Although the F1 cross goats had 50% of their genomes from a genetically improved breed they were still able to deal with the difficult conditions that characterize the traditional extensive farming systems in Albania. Breeding pure Alpine breed or its crosses with the local goat breed improved milk production in an extensive traditional system.

Simple SummaryThis study quantified major and trace minerals in milk of five Italian local goat breeds and a cosmopolitan goat breed throughout lactation. Significant differences were detected in milk minerals composition across week of lactation, with greater concentration at the end than at the beginning of the lactation for almost all minerals, while only P, Mg and Zn milk content differed among breeds. Due to the growing interest of consumers in goat milk and derived products, the characterisation of milk mineral contents could contribute to valorise autochthonous breeds.Very little information about local breed goat milk is available, which is relevant for biodiversity preservation and local cheese production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of breed and week of lactation on milk mineral profile of five Italian local breeds (Garganica, Girgentana, Jonica, Maltese and Mediterranean Red) and a cosmopolitan breed (Saanen). Sixty goats (10 per breed) from an experimental farm were enrolled in the study and sampled every 2 weeks for milk gross composition analysis. In addition, an individual milk sample was collected monthly from 42 goats (seven goats per breed) for mineral determination through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Data were analysed using a mixed linear model with repeated measures, including breed and week of lactation as fixed effects. Week of lactation affected mineral contents, except for B, being lower in early than late lactation, whereas, breed affected only P, Mg and Zn. Mediterranean Red and Jonica breeds’ milk was richer in P than Maltese, and in Zn than Maltese, Girgentana and Saanen breeds. For Mg, only Saanen differed from Maltese. Such information might be useful for the valorisation of goat milk produced by autochthonous breeds.

Local goat breeds are able to adapt to specific environments due to the long process of geographic isolation, natural and—notably morphological—artificial selection they were submitted to, which resulted in characteristics that have allowed them to survive in harsh and poor environments. Continuous crossbreeding has promoted a quick replacement and decrease of local breeds, which has been relevant in Brazil. Although they are less productive than specialized foreign breeds, they are fully adapted to the tropics and, therefore, are able to produce with those particular conditions. They play important social and economic roles within the different continents, as they are essential in adverse areas where farming is difficult, and, in most situations, they are the only source of animal protein available for humans. In Brazil, for example, despite the numerous threats posed to local goat breeds, they still have a fair number of alleles by locus and good levels of heterozygosis. This is a concerning scenario that, alone, is enough to stimulate the establishment of conservation programs of local goat breeds in the country. The use of foreign breeds in tropical countries must be looked into carefully, especially in the case of extensive systems of production where local breeds prevail. Under these conditions, a challenge is faced: to increase meat production while maintaining genetic diversity within the breeds. Sustainable production systems may be accomplished if the great advantage of local breeds’ multiple functionalities is considered.

This chapter is a survey of recent studies on native sheep and goat breeds with special emphasis on their role as a tool of sustainability. After a short overview, strategies for adding value to the local breeds are described together with a synthesis of measures in support of animal biodiversity in marginal areas of Mediterranean environment. In this direction, three case studies are reported in which the added value of local breeds arising from a typical and/or traditional product is investigated. The first one is on native sheep breeds from Apulian region and the PDO Canestrato Pugliese cheese, and it indicates that Altamurana and Apulian Merino breeds produce milk and cheese having nutritional characteristics and sensory properties distinguishable from non-native breeds. The second and third studies regard local goat breeds and local cheeses, Caciotta and Ricotta cheeses. As it appears from our discussion, Girgentana breed produces milk and Caciotta and Ricotta cheeses with distinguishable fatty acid profile, nutritional index and sensory properties compared to other breeds. These peculiarities add value to the Girgentana breed and therefore give a support in favour of this breed, amplifying its sustainable use. Finally, we point out that the high quantity of sialyloligosaccharides found in local Garganica breed compared to foreign breed appears as an interesting promising feature in the study of adding value to local breeds.

Studies on goat milk have mainly focused on cosmopolitan breedsand very limited information is available on local breeds, which is importantfor biodiversity preservation and local cheese production. The aim of thisstudy was to evaluate the breed effect on milk yield, composition and somaticcell score (SCS) of five local Italian goat breeds (Garganica, Girgentana,Jonica, Maltese and Mediterranean Red) compared with a cosmopolitanspecialized dairy breed (Saanen). A total of 60 goats (10 per breed) from anexperimental farm were enrolled in the study. Milk yield, composition and SCSwere recorded and analyzed every 2 weeks during the entire lactation. Datawere analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Saanen yieldedbetween 0.27 and 0.62 kg day more milk than the local breeds. Amonglocal breeds, Maltese and Jonica were the most productive, with an average of1.28 and 1.25 kg day, respectively, while Mediterranean Red,Garganica and Girgentana produced kg day. Saanen had thehighest SCS (6.81) and the lowest fat content (3.26 %). In relation toprotein, Garganica showed the greatest content (3.71 %), and Saanen had a similar content to other local breeds (3.42 %) except for Maltese, whichwas lower (3.11 %). Saanen and Garganica had the lowest lactosepercentage (4.28 % and 4.26 %, respectively). All breeds followed asimilar pattern across lactation: SCS and fat and protein content peaked atthe end of the lactation, whereas lactose percentage was highest at thebeginning of the lactation. Differences between Saanen and the local breedsfor milk yield, composition and SCS were consistent across lactation. Inconclusion, local breeds produced less milk but with lower SCS and greater fatand lactose content than the Saanen cosmopolitan breed, suggesting a better milkquality.

Simple SummaryThe number of local farm animal breeds is declining worldwide. However, these breeds have different degrees of genetic diversity. Measuring genetic diversity is important for the development of conservation strategies and, therefore, various genomic analysis techniques are available. The aim of the present work was to shed light on the use of these techniques in diversity studies of local breeds. In summary, a total of 133 worldwide studies that examined genetic diversity in local cattle, sheep, goat, chicken and pig breeds were reviewed. The results show that over time, almost all available genomic techniques were used and various diversity parameters were calculated. Therefore, the present results provide a comprehensive overview of the application of these techniques in the field of local breeds. This can provide helpful insights into the advancement of the conservation of breeds with high genetic diversity.Globally, many local farm animal breeds are threatened with extinction. However, these breeds contribute to the high amount of genetic diversity required to combat unforeseen future challenges of livestock production systems. To assess genetic diversity, various genotyping techniques have been developed. Based on the respective genomic information, different parameters, e.g., heterozygosity, allele frequencies and inbreeding coefficient, can be measured in order to reveal genetic diversity between and within breeds. The aim of the present work was to shed light on the use of genotyping techniques in the field of local farm animal breeds. Therefore, a total of 133 studies across the world that examined genetic diversity in local cattle, sheep, goat, chicken and pig breeds were reviewed. The results show that diversity of cattle was most often investigated with microsatellite use as the main technique. Furthermore, a large variety of diversity parameters that were calculated with different programs were identified. For 15% of the included studies, the used genotypes are publicly available, and, in 6%, phenotypes were recorded. In conclusion, the present results provide a comprehensive overview of the application of genotyping techniques in the field of local breeds. This can provide helpful insights to advance the conservation of breeds.

The conservation of local breeds plays a strategic role in maintaining genetic variability, ensuring adaptive responses to environmental challenges, and preserving the cultural and socioeconomic structures of traditional communities. In this context, this study explores the potential disappearance of traditional knowledge about local breeds from an ethnozootechnical perspective. The objectives were (I) to establish the breeding history of goat and sheep breeds/ecotypes in the semi-arid region of Paraíba; (II) to estimate the diversity index; and (III) to evaluate the selection criteria used by local communities in four territories: Coletivo, Borborema, Folia, and Casaco. The study aims to support genetic conservation and improvement programs. Data collection was participatory, involving breeders from all territories. To recover the breeds’ history, questionnaires were applied to the oldest breeders, called the “guardians.” Two workshops were held to assess the diversity of breeds in the past landscape (PP) and current landscape (PA), using the Recall technique. Responses were recorded in spreadsheets for analysis. Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) were used to assess animal distribution. The Shannon index indicated a drop in goat breed diversity, from 1.3 (PP) to 0.87 (PA). For sheep breeds, it decreased slightly from 0.7 to 0.66. Breeders reported valuing traits such as adaptability, disease resistance, fertility, and conformation. Their strong emotional connection with the animals highlights the breeds’ cultural relevance. A strong connection was found between the loss of genetic material in the studied territories and the extinction of local communities’ knowledge about local breeds.

SummaryBreed risk status assessment methods are key components of country-based early warning and response systems. In this study, a multi-indicator method was developed to assess the risk status of livestock populations. Six indicators were used: (i) the current number of breeding females; (ii) the change in the number of breeding females over the last 5 years or generations (depending on the species); (iii) percentage of cross-breeding; (iv) effective population size; (v) breeders organization and technical support; and (vi) socio-economic context. To make these indicators comparable, observed values were converted into scores on a six-point scale (from 0 = no threat to 5 = maximum threat); a specific conversion method was used for each indicator. For each breed, the different scores were analysed graphically and an overall score was calculated by averaging the six separate indicator scores. This approach was applied to 178 French local breeds, belonging to ten different species: horse, donkey, goat, pig, chicken, turkey, goose and Pekin duck. A large percentage of local breeds were found to be at risk to be lost for farming, although the results were species dependent. All local equine and pig breeds, as well as almost all local poultry breeds appeared to be endangered. About 80 percent of local goat and cattle breeds, and half local sheep breeds were also found to be at risk. The usefulness of this method with regards to conservation strategies and public policy is discussed.

In this study, the effect on the mineral content of eggs from local and exotic breed hens was investigated. For this study, random samples were collected from the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Debrezeit Agricultural Research Center, and Fresh Corner Poultry Farming Debrezeite, Ethiopia for the exotic and local breed eggs respectively. Eggshells and edible portion of the egg were analyzed for Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Phosphors (P), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), and Copper (Cu) contents. The Phosphors and Zinc contents of the edible egg portion were higher in the local breed eggs than in exotic breed eggs. Calcium and Magnesium content of the eggshell was higher in local breed eggs while Zn content showed a marked decrease. As far as Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium Phosphors, and Copper values were concerned, these did not differ between the eggs from local and exotic breed types. The present finding provides sizeable differences in mineral content between the eggs from the local and exotic breed hens. The results afford a point of departure measurements of major and trace mineral contents of eggs and suggest quantifiable differences amid eggs from hens in different husbandry systems, and hens breed types. The physiological significance of those differences is discussed. But, future studies should elucidate differences observed by crossbreed types, diet effect, and husbandry system. Drying eggs can be a workable food systems intervention that can mend the wellbeing and eminence of diets in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Keywords: Egg, Hen, Mineral Content, Local breed, Exotic breed, Food System, Low-income DOI: 10.7176/CPER/64-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Local chicken breeds play a vital role in promoting sustainability by preserving genetic diversity, enhancing resilience, and supporting local economies. These breeds are adapted to local climates and conditions, requiring fewer external resources and inputs for their maintenance. By conserving and utilizing local chicken breeds, sustainable farming practices can be incentivized, maintaining ecosystem balance and ensuring food security for future generations. The present study aimed at evaluating the growth performance and slaughter traits of two local Italian chicken breeds (Bionda Piemontese and Robusta Maculata) and their crosses with a medium-growth genotype (Sasso chicken®) reared in conventional and free-range farming systems. The conventional system used a high-energy high-protein diet in a closed barn with controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting, and a stocking density of 33 kg/m2. The free-range system used a low-input diet (low-energy low-protein diet composed of local and GMO-free feed ingredients), uncontrolled environmental conditions, and a stocking density of 21 kg/m2 in a barn with free access to an outdoor area. The birds were slaughtered at 84 days of age in both systems. The crossbred chickens showed the best results for growth performance in both farming systems compared to local breeds. Within genotype, the final live weight of chickens was similar in the two farming systems. In conclusion, slow-growth crossbreeds should be used in alternative farming systems, demonstrating better performance than pure local breeds.