The numbers in detail
“Il Veneto in terms of sheep and goat farms, with 4270 animals checked in 40 farms, it is in fifth place after Piedmont (41 farms), Lombardy (73), Sardinia (137) and Calabria (232), but the numbers should not be discouraging at all, as lead to unparalleled richness in terms of biodiversity and niche productions". With these words the prof. Massimo De Marchi of the Department of Agronomy, Animals, Food, Natural Resources and Environment of the University of Padua spoke this morning at AGRIMONT, on the occasion of the conference: "Sheep and goat farming in the Veneto between innovation, health, protection of biodiversity and predation" promoted by ARAV at the Longarone Fiere Dolomiti Congress Center, introduced by Michele Dal Farra, president of Longarone Fiere Dolomiti and Milo Veronese, president of the Belluno Breeders' Assembly, and moderated by the director of ARAV, Walter Luchetta.
The preliminary project
“ARAV, Lattebusche and the University of Padua (DAFNAE), with the collaboration of four agricultural companies representing the area – highlighted prof. De Marchi - are working on a preliminary project to other targeted initiatives, which aims to carry out a mapping of the existing sheep and goat population in Veneto, to promote a network of connection, information and technological transfer between farmers, dairies, the world of research and technicians" . Alpagota, Foza, Lamon and Brogna are the native sheep and goat breeds currently widespread in Veneto, as explained by Dr. Valerio Bondesan of UC Allevamenti, Veneto Agricoltura, who in highlighting their presence, placed particular emphasis on the attention to be paid to rams and the high risk of inbreeding on farms. “The Conservation Center for Venetian sheep breeds, in Villago – Sedico (Bl) – explained Bondesan – aims to create ideal breeders, which it makes available to farmers to guarantee a sustainable future for those who decide to dedicate themselves to sheep and goats. It should be considered, in fact, that a ram can be used in a stable for a maximum of one or two years, to avoid inbreeding, which can cause serious pathologies".
The theme of diseases
And Dr. spoke on the topic of diseases. Roberto Costantin of the Animal Health Veterinary Service of the ULSS 1 Dolomiti, who revealed the results of the 2023 population survey on Alpagota and Lamon for resistance to Scrapie, a neurodegenerative disease belonging to the group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. “Against Scrapie you can only act preventively – explained Dr. Costantin – as it is a disease that can only be diagnosed post-mortem. For this reason it is essential to proceed with the genotyping of the breed, as we did during the investigation. And the result was unequivocal, beyond the numbers: knowledge of the resistance genetics of two local breeds at risk of extinction is fundamental for protecting the livestock heritage, especially in small mountain areas. Encourage research and use of males less susceptible to the disease for reproduction, then create breeding groups to eliminate, at least in theory, the most susceptible genotypes from the breeds. And, of course, encourage the trade of reproduced animals and increase the level of genetic certification of the herd."
The damage to the agricultural world
Awareness, prevention and referral to the vet are the key concepts that Dr. focused on. Massimiliano Gatti, Freelance Veterinary Doctor, who spoke about the health of the flock through the careful use of veterinary drugs, the result of careful, dynamic prevention. “Prevention undoubtedly means profit – underlined Dr. Cats - as controlling the problem before it spreads, knowing the pathogens present on the farm, and then arranging targeted treatments, means less milk eliminated, animal welfare and, consequently, greater production". To close the circle the intervention of Dr. Emanuele Pernechele of the Office of the Agro-Environment, Fish and Wildlife-Hunting Planning and Management Directorate of the Wildlife-Hunting Planning and Management Unit of the Veneto Region, who addressed an extremely topical issue: the spread of wild animals, herbivores and carnivores, and the consequent significant damage caused to the agricultural and breeding world. “Veneto – explained Dr. Pernechele – is densely populated by wolves, which are widespread in over 20% of the regional territory, with 15 packs. And there is recent news of the repeated sighting of a herd of at least five specimens also in Polesine, an area where the breed had never been sighted previously. A situation that should cause concern and cannot leave the institutions indifferent. The Region's hands are effectively tied, we need to act at European Union level. Recently the Commission proposed to the European Council the modification of the protection status of the wolf from a highly protected species, like the eagle, to a protected species, an act of undoubted intelligence".
A concrete threat to everyone
The presence of the wolf is definitely felt, just think that the predations in 2021 were 989, of which 703 sheep and goats and in 2022 823, of which 530 sheep and goats. “We cannot think that we can achieve the eradication of the species as happened in 1800 – concluded Pernechele – but neither can we stand by and watch the damage that this animal causes on a daily basis, reaching increasingly urban and , even, attacking domestic animals.” Certainly we will have to find the world to make the wolf as harmless as possible. “Our work is driven by a great passion – concluded the president of ARAV, Floriano De Franceschi – but we cannot be abandoned and, above all, we believe that our animals deserve at least the same consideration as the wolf, especially since they give life to of products fundamental to human life. The approach of the wolf to urban territories must scare and draw the attention of everyone, including citizens, because it is a concrete threat for everyone, as well as for our economy and for the tourism industry of which we are proud also thanks to the biodiversity of the breeds and the heritage of dairy production" (source: ARA Veneto).