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

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).

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

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

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) 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

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

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 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