1. Status of Podolic cattle in Greece
Christina Ligda
National Agricultural Research Foundation, Agricultural Research Centre of Northern Greece, Greek Gene Bank

2. Cattle in Greece were genetically stratified as follows:
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).

5. (Bos Taurus Primigenius)
Greek Steppe
(Bos Taurus Primigenius)
Greek Shorthorn
(Bos Taurus Brachycerous)
Sykia
Katerini
Brachykeratiki

6. Characteristics (1) Small size Wither height Live weight
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

7. 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

8. 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

10. SWOT analysis (1) Strengths High quality product (meat)
Functional traits
Production system that can be easily adapted to the certification procedures
Exploitation of local pastures – Value for landscape management
Well adapted to the local environment
Weaknesses
Population structure
Lack of professional organisations
Lack of marketing infrastructures
Not wide application of certified labelling systems

11. SWOT analysis (2) Opportunities EU Rural Development policy
Introduction of innovation in the farming systems
The increasing trends of certified and quality products
The diversification of the agricultural activities in the rural areas
Threats
Lack of public funding and technical support
Lack of professional organisations and strategies

12. 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

15. Actions Monitoring, characterisation
Establishment of the breeders association
Herdbook
Development of breeding programme
Breeding objective
Genetic management
Promotion activities

16. Breeding objectives Production and quality Genetic diversity
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