National Association of Reggiana Cattle Breeders
Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Bovini di Razza Reggiana (National Association of Reggiana Cattle Breeders) (ANaBoRaRe) was founded on 22 November, 1956. Law Decree n. 997 of May 16 1962 conferred legal recognition and approved its status.
The association intends to promote, and implement initiatives that can contribute to the improvement, enhancement and dissemination of Reggiana cattle.
In particular, the association carries out its selection responsibilities through the Genealogy Book established by Ministerial Decree n. 21838 of March 26, 1996. The programs of genetic improvement are based on the calculation of genetic indexes by the Technical Directors of the Italian Breeders Association and governed by the mating plans for all the cattle of the population. The objectives of the plans are to limit the level of consanguinity in the breed and, given that the milk produced by Reggiana is used mainly for cheese, to ensure an increase in milk production as well as the quality and quantity of casein content. To do this, at the end of 2002 the Central Technical Commission of the Genealogy Book decided to use an innovative selection index: it is the Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Index (Ifpr).
It gives a weight of - 4 to kg of milk, + 1 to kg of fat and + 10 to kg of protein. In the formulation of the mating plans for the period (12 months), only the first 20 bulls are taken into consideration, of which they have at least 50 doses of semen, classified according to the value of the Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Index.
A criterion is used for the purpose of identifying allowed mating: the association reports only on those that are likely to give rise to non-consanguineal animals, or those that have a coefficient of consanguinity that is never higher than the average value detected at that moment in the total active population of Reggio Emilia. Last but not least, the Association performs activities of recognizing Parmigiano Reggiano that comes from pure milk of fromentine. The Association operates with the goal of continuous improvement and quality management: ANaBoRaRe has been certified ISO 9001: 2008 by SQS and IQNet since November 14, 2003.
Headquarters are in Reggio Emilia, via Via Masaccio, 11 - 42124 Mancasale - Reggio Emilia, ITALY. Telephone and Fax number: +39 0522/271396 E-mail: anaborare@razzareggiana.it
Selection and improvement of the Genealogy Book
The Genealogy Book is the tool that is used for selection, for the purpose of improvement of the breed. It has the aim of being a guideline, on a technical level, with particular regard for the determination of genetic qualities of the breeders, the activity of selection and production within the breed and at the same time promoting the breed's economic value. The activities of the Genealogy Book are carried out by ANaBoRaRe in accordance with the law and under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forestry Policies.
