Special Session 2

Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid acceleration in the development of genomic technologies which are becoming routine tools in livestock breeding programs and production systems. At the same time, data recorded by electronic measurement systems, cloud-based computing and fast internet enable the use of powerful decision support to help automate and manage livestock production, animal welfare and quality control.
The combined use of both types of information sources offers the potential, through breeding and nonbreeding applications, to increase their positive impacts even further. Not only as regards the environmental impact and the use of antimicrobials and antibiotics in livestock production but also in helping to maintain biodiversity and conserve livestock breeds at risk of extinction.
The rationale behind this special session is to present and discuss new opportunities and challenges in using genomics coupled with high-throughput phenotyping, “big data,” analytics, and related technologies in the livestock industry.

Dr. Stefano Biffani’s educational background is mainly in animal breeding, genetics and statistics and through the years he has been appointed as statistician and researcher by private companies, research centres and universities. He took a MSc and a PhD in Brazil, focusing his research on the genetic aspects of productive and reproductive traits in Bos Indicus. A former geneticist at different Italian National Breeders Association, he is currently a research scientist at the Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology of the Italian National Research Council (CNR). Since 2017 he collaborates with ANASB to develop and implement new selection tools for the Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes. He is author of over 129 scientific publications and speaker at national and international conferences. Member of several scientific associations. Reviewer for numerous scientific journals and research projects.

Roberta Cimmino, from 2017 to present days, she hold a researcher position at the R&D office of Italian Buffalo Breeders Association (ANASB). In 2009 she graduated in Science and Technologies of Animal Production at Federico II University of Naples. In 2016 she obtained her PhD in Animal Breeding Science at University of Sannio - department of Science and Technology, and also obtained the qualification to practice as Professional Agronomist. Main skills and experiences are in animal behaviour, animal health and welfare, animal production, animal science and biostatistics. Her work experience has particularly focused on livestock breeding techniques, farm management, genetic improvement in the buffalo’s species and breeding technologies to improve milk quality and milk production. Winner of several research grants, she has coordinated numerous national projects. She has dealt with numerous Lecturer assignments and she is the author of over 21 scientific publications and co-author of a book about livestock breeding techniques in the Italian Mediterranean buffalo.