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7 December 2023Preparing for the future
The local Abondance and Tarentaise breeds are historically present in the Savoie region and are linked to the PDO-IGP cheese chains. Today, it is essential to improve communication between breeds and the cheese industry, in order to reconcile the evolution of breeds with the needs of different users (breeders, cheese makers, etc.). So in 2022, OS RAR, CAP Tarentaise, AFTALP, ILS, CERAQ and AURIVA have decided to implement the “Local breeds and PDO-IGP cheese chains in Savoie” project, which will run through 5 actions until 2024.
Action 1
Describe and understand the place of local breeds in Savoyard systems and the directions taken to date.
Objective: Understand the situation of local breeds and the origins of current selection schemes (from an organizational and technical point of view).
Action 2
Explain the expectations and needs of the various operators in the traditional SIQO sectors with regard to these breeds (hardiness, typicality, etc.).
Objective: characterize the use of local breeds on Savoyard dairy farms and identify the expectations of cheese industry operators with regard to their dairy animals. Identify the links between operators’ expectations of local breeds and current characteristics. A complementary study will be carried out with producers to characterize the diversity of use of these breeds and to identify the motivations that lead them to choose these breeds.
Action 3
Analysis of the ability of these breeds to meet the expectations set out above (hardiness, typicality of milk, etc.).
Objective: To identify precisely where local breeds fit or don’t fit with the needs expressed in action 2, and then to study pre-existing evaluation and selection criteria, with a view to updating or developing them if necessary.
Action 4
Develop or adapt selection schemes.
Objective: Define the direction of shared selection schemes and the associated strategy. Define ways of integrating selection indicators into selection schemes so that they better meet the expectations and challenges expressed.
Action 5
Improving dialogue with society and operators to make the most of the specific features of local breeds.
Objective: Promote the use of breeds in line with their aptitudes :
- Define strategies for disseminating the characteristics and aptitudes of local breeds in line with the expectations of operators (producers and cheesemakers) and the general public (inputs, animal welfare).
- Make producers aware of the need for consistency between the use of these breeds and the associated production systems.
These results need to be integrated into the evolution of genetic selection, to enable local breeds to adapt to the challenges of climate change and changing societal expectations.
Manon RAFFOUR
Tarine Technician
Please do not hesitate to contact your Breed Technician Manon RAFFOUR for further information:
manon.raffour@auriva-elevage.com
0772231759
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