ReDiverse

Project title: Biodiversity Within and Between European Red Dairy Breeds - Conservation through Utilization

Objectives/Aims/Goals:

• To conserve and utilize the unique biodiversity of European Red Dairy Breeds via improved genetic management together with acceleration of genetic gains for key dairy traits
• To develop and to set in place collaborative and integrated novel breeding and management concepts to achieve a resilient and competitive use of these resources
• To strengthen best practices for small farm holders for improving product quality and to supply ecosystem services according to their specific circumstances.

Project Acronym: “ReDiverse”

Project Duration: 36 Months

Project period: (to be decided)

Funding source: European Commission; Era-Net SUSAN (ID 29)

Project identifier: “ID 29”

Funder’s website: www.era-susan.eu

Project website:  (to be confirmed)

Summary:

Red dairy breeds across Europe represent a unique source of genetic diversity and are partly organized in trans-national breeding programs but are also well adapted to local conditions providing regional identity of products for consumers. The objective of REDIVERSE is to develop and to set in place collaborative and integrated novel breeding and management concepts to achieve a resilient and competitive use of these resources. A further goal is to strengthen best practices for small farm holders for improving product quality and to supply ecosystem services according to their specific circumstances.

The challenge of establishing appropriate breeding and maintenance strategies for diverse farm systems and regional markets is met by multi-actor operations also considering economic, structural and social diversity in participating countries to offer tailored solutions. The holistic approach relies on integrative research of scientists in the fields of animal genetics, proteomics, economy and social sciences. Cutting edge technology such as large scale genomic and proteomic tools will be implemented to enhance genetic progress and to characterize specific properties. Innovative survey approaches will assess the impact of the sector on social acceptance and the needs of farmers.

The project will generate novel knowledge and concepts that will be timely disseminated to lead-users such as the breeding and dairy industry, food sector, farmer cooperatives and farmers. A consistent monitoring of the consequences on the different levels when applying new tools or concepts is the key to balance the additional benefit to the sector on the various actors. The trade-off between economic, environmental and social interests will ensure sustainable dairy production, improve animal welfare and help to develop rural landscape.

Interbull Centre Involvement

The main thrust of ReDiverse is the promotion of local red breeds in Europe using modern genomic tools.

SLU leads WP2 which deals with combining pedigree data across the different countries and comparing pedigree based estimated inbreeding and relatedness to genomic ones.

Interbull Centre’s role is related to unraveling pedigrees and genotype status from different breed societies etc.: In close collaboration with breeding organisations, breed societies the Interbull Centre will aim to get the most complete pedigree possible for each of the breeds. We are also very interested in historical links between populations as revealed by pedigree or potentially genotyping data.

Outcome: Combined pedigree for all breeds in ReDiverse with information on levels of genotyping

Disclaimer:

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Era-Net SUSAN program.