On Thursday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in San Michele all’Adige, at the Palazzo Ricerca e Conoscenza, the event “The genetic history of the Dolomite valleys: the case study of the Rendena people and their cattle” will take place. The meeting is organized by the Fondazione Edmund Mach in collaboration with the Provincial Breeders Federation, the National Association of Rendena Cattle Breeders, the University of Pavia and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Piacenza.
The event will focus on the presentation of the results of a research project funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, which investigated the origin and genetic evolution of the population of Val Rendena and the Rendena cattle breed.
The study, based on mitochondrial DNA analysis, revealed a significant diversity of maternal lineages and the presence of ancient genetic variants. These findings confirm the breed’s ability to preserve a complex genetic heritage over time, despite the historical and production changes that have affected Alpine livestock farming.
A comparison with the Alpine Grey cattle breed also highlighted a close genetic relationship, while confirming the distinct identity of the Rendena breed, shaped by its geographical context and long-standing breeding practices.
The results also provide important insights from an applied perspective, highlighting the role of local breeds as a key resource for the sustainability and resilience of mountain farming systems.
The meeting, addressed to sector professionals, will be opened by Maurizio Bottura, Deputy Director General of Fondazione Edmund Mach; Giacomo Broch, President of the Provincial Breeders Federation; and Manuel Cosi, President of the National Association of Rendena Cattle Breeders.
Speakers will include Heidi Hauffe and Erika Partel (Fondazione Edmund Mach), Paolo Ajmone-Marsan (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Piacenza), Hovirag Lancioni (University of Pavia), and Alessandro Achilli (University of Pavia).
Further information and registration:
https://fmach.it/Comunicazione/Eventi/La-Storia-Genetica-delle-Valli-Dolomitiche-il-Caso-Studio-dei-Rendeneri-e-dei-Loro-Bovini2
Members of the press are kindly invited to attend.