Ad hoc action „Simmental“
24.05.2024The European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP) is a regional platform to promote the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources (AGR)
The European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP) is a regional platform to promote the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources (AGR) in situ and ex situ and to facilitate the implementation of FAO's Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources. The ERFP representative in Slovakia, Ing. Ján Tomka, PhD. from NPPC-VÚŽV Nitra organized an ad hoc meeting on 21 May 2024 at the premises of the research institute, the main topic of which was local/regional populations of simmentalised/ fleckvieh dual-purpose spotted breeds in Europe. Representatives from Poland, Austria, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia spoke at the meeting and presented breeding goals and objectives in the field of breeding and the future development of local populations. The meeting was also attended by prof. Kasarda and doc. Moravčíková as representatives of FAPZ, SPU in Nitra with the presentation "Detailed analysis of the population structure of local cattle breeds using genomic data", the aim of which was to clarify how it is possible to distinguish phylogenetically close breeds based on whole genome analyses, considering the geographical isolation and possible admixture. The current status of the Slovak Spotted Breed population was presented by Ing. Ivan Pavlík, expert worker of the breeders' association. During the meeting the participants discussed the importance of local populations for regional development and the level of interest in breeding and the usability of genetic material from gene banks as in the case of the local population of Slovak Spotted Cattle "cementárky". The members also discussed the initial outputs that resulted from the ERFP survey action on local simmentalised/fleckvieh populations in Europe. The ad hoc event continued the next day with a visit to a commercial Slovak spotted breed farm in Kozárovce and to farmers breeding "cementárky" on the pastures in Hriňová and Látky.