A research was carried out to identify the most suitable techniques of suckling cows housing in a mountain area of centre Italy (Tuscany Apennine), rich in meadows and pastures. Livestock breeding has represented a basic economical resource for people living in this area since the sixties. The livestock breeding situation in the region was analysed referring to Chianina and Garfagnina breeds. Chianina is the most widespread breed in Tuscany, placed all over the country areas of the region. Pasturage in mountain areas is becoming more and more interesting for the breeding of this race, characterized by a high productivity. On the contrary Garfagnina is a more rustic but less productive breed, with a great risk of extinction because of changes in the economy of the countryside where it was historically bred. The existing housing solutions for Chianina and Garfagnina beef-cattle in Tuscany were investigated. Trials were conducted in particular in a farm housing 50 Garfagnina cows, in order to study the space allowance, the suckling cow behaviour patterns and to verify the breeding effects on their welfare conditions. This study was carried out in January, period in which the cattle-shed is more used by animals because of cold weather conditions. During the good season, cows are at the nearby pasture, without any refuge. Behavioural analysis was performed on tied and free cows by a television equipment consisting in a closed circuit TV, a time-lapse videotape, television cameras and infrared lamps. Day-time activities (from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) were recorded in the different housing solutions. Tied suckling cows spend most of their time standing or feeding. The resting period is very short (12,8% of the diurnal time) and the interactions between the animals (licking, grooming, nibbling) are very frequent. This research confirms that Garfagnina cows are very rustic animals, suitable for an extensive breeding which use the house only during winter periods. Simple shelters for feeding during the winter season could be adequate. The breeding in a sustainable way of suckling cows such as very rustic ones (Garfagnina) or more productive ones (Chianina) can be considered a good resource in marginal mountain areas. Low environmental impact housing solutions have to be designed, using local building materials (like timber) and adopting alternative housing systems. Some examples are given in this paper.

Systems for suckling cows breeding in mountain areas of Centre Italy / M. BARBARI; M. BIANCHI; M. MONTI; P. PELLEGRINI; F. SORBETTI GUERRI. - ELETTRONICO. - (2004), pp. 1-11. (Intervento presentato al convegno 2nd Technical Section of the CICR, International Symposium New Trends in Farm Buildings tenutosi a Evora (Portogallo) nel 2-6 Maggio 2004).

Systems for suckling cows breeding in mountain areas of Centre Italy

BARBARI, MATTEO;PELLEGRINI, PAOLO;SORBETTI GUERRI, FRANCESCO
2004

Abstract

A research was carried out to identify the most suitable techniques of suckling cows housing in a mountain area of centre Italy (Tuscany Apennine), rich in meadows and pastures. Livestock breeding has represented a basic economical resource for people living in this area since the sixties. The livestock breeding situation in the region was analysed referring to Chianina and Garfagnina breeds. Chianina is the most widespread breed in Tuscany, placed all over the country areas of the region. Pasturage in mountain areas is becoming more and more interesting for the breeding of this race, characterized by a high productivity. On the contrary Garfagnina is a more rustic but less productive breed, with a great risk of extinction because of changes in the economy of the countryside where it was historically bred. The existing housing solutions for Chianina and Garfagnina beef-cattle in Tuscany were investigated. Trials were conducted in particular in a farm housing 50 Garfagnina cows, in order to study the space allowance, the suckling cow behaviour patterns and to verify the breeding effects on their welfare conditions. This study was carried out in January, period in which the cattle-shed is more used by animals because of cold weather conditions. During the good season, cows are at the nearby pasture, without any refuge. Behavioural analysis was performed on tied and free cows by a television equipment consisting in a closed circuit TV, a time-lapse videotape, television cameras and infrared lamps. Day-time activities (from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) were recorded in the different housing solutions. Tied suckling cows spend most of their time standing or feeding. The resting period is very short (12,8% of the diurnal time) and the interactions between the animals (licking, grooming, nibbling) are very frequent. This research confirms that Garfagnina cows are very rustic animals, suitable for an extensive breeding which use the house only during winter periods. Simple shelters for feeding during the winter season could be adequate. The breeding in a sustainable way of suckling cows such as very rustic ones (Garfagnina) or more productive ones (Chianina) can be considered a good resource in marginal mountain areas. Low environmental impact housing solutions have to be designed, using local building materials (like timber) and adopting alternative housing systems. Some examples are given in this paper.
2004
International Symposium New Trends in Farm Buildings
2nd Technical Section of the CICR, International Symposium New Trends in Farm Buildings
Evora (Portogallo)
2-6 Maggio 2004
M. BARBARI; M. BIANCHI; M. MONTI; P. PELLEGRINI; F. SORBETTI GUERRI
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/236313
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