Details
- ERC sector
- LS9 - Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
- ERC subsector
- LS9_10 - Veterinary and applied animal sciences
- Project start date
- CUP
- D53D23011940006
- Financial support received
- €67.905,00
Advanced research on the impact of environment on sheep
Description and purpose
The ARIES project delivers high-throughput milk analyses, genomic selection for health, adaptation and heat tolerance, rumen microbiota manipulation to reduce methane, and farmer-inclusive breeding protocols. Focusing on Massese and Comisana breeds, it addresses economic, ecological and social challenges of the Italian dairy sheep industry, promoting sustainable rural development and biodiversity conservation.
Purpose
ARIES addresses the dairy sheep industry (DSI) as a multi-layer system, integrating biology of milk, cheesemaking and farming in marginal areas. Using advanced analytical tools, it disentangles effects of farm conditions, genotype, microbiota and metabolism on economy and ecology. Phenotyping covers milk composition, udder health and cheesemaking efficiency, while methane emissions and farmers’ opinions support sustainability and adaptation.
Expected results
ARIES delivers strategies to enhance dairy sheep sustainability by improving cheesemaking efficiency, reducing production costs and methane emissions, and safeguarding biodiversity and animal welfare. Expected results include better farm profitability, genomic-informed breeding for Comisana and Massese, valorization of local breeds, and stronger farmer involvement, fostering economic, environmental and social resilience in marginal areas.
Achieved results
Season, breed, parity and lactation stage significantly influence milk yield, composition and cheesemaking traits in Comisana and Massese sheep. Massese milk shows higher casein index and lower urea and pH, with seasonal effects on solids, protein and cheese yield. Genetic parameters of key qualitative milk traits are estimated, supporting selection strategies to enhance resilience, efficiency and sustainability.
Scientific director
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