Rapid and low-cost technologies for large scale phenotyping in livestock
ORGANIZED BY
Angela Costa
Massimo De Marchi
ABSTRACT
In the era of ‘omics’, the availability of accurate phenotypes is mandatory to define management and breeding strategies at best and achieve the response in the desired direction. Due to high analytical cost and strict sampling protocols, often the gold standard limit the research on certain traits of interest. In light of this, indicators easier to be recorded on a large scale have accelerated the improvement at population level of difficult-to-be-measured traits, namely fitness, health and welfare.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
Angela Costa
education and Profession: Graduated in Animal Science and Technology, PhD in Animal and Food Science with focus on breeding and genetics, currently Senior Researcher (RTD B) in Animal breeding and genetics (SSD AGR 17) at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the Alma Mater University of Bologna. Research activities and interest are focused on the study and validation of novel traits in the field of ruminants health and welfare, milk quality, infrared-spectroscopy, calf vitality/survival and udder health. Teaching assignments: Genetics and Genetic Improvement of Livestock Species. Other: Since 2021 Associate Editor of the journal Tropical Animal Health and Production and officially affiliated to the following scientific associations: Italian “Associazione per la Scienza e le Produzioni Animali” (ASPA), “American Dairy Science Association” (ADSA) and “European Federation of Animal Science” (EAAP).
Massimo De Marchi
Education and Profession: Graduated in Agricultural Science, PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics, Full Professor at the University of Padova (SSD AGR 19). Research activities and interest are focused on the use of mid- and near-infrared spectroscopy to predict gross and detailed composition of milk, cheese and meat, health and welfare biomarkers, and other unconventional phenotypes (e.g. milk coagulation properties, marbling score). Teaching assignments: Milk and dairy products quality. Other: He authored more than 220 scientific papers (SCOPUS) and since 2021 he is President of the Cattle Commission of the “European Federation of Animal Science” (EAAP). Member of EAAP, Italian “Associazione per la Scienza e le Produzioni Animali” (ASPA), and “American Dairy Science Association” (ADSA).
