1. Optimisation of livestock systems and promotion of their sustainability
1.- Development of livestock systems based on the optimum exploitation of natural pastures, fodder and sub-products of agricultural origin.
2.- Assessment of the impact of pasturage on vegetation and landscape. Development of specific methods to be applied in the extensive pastoral systems.
3.- Development of natural handling techniques in order to optimise the production possibilities of the female.
4.- Regulation of technologies for the improvement of ecological livestock production.
5.- Study and assessment of extensive production systems which are environmentally friendly, guarantee animal well-being and ensure the quality and uniformity of the end product.
6.- Development of tools to support the taking of decisions (simulation and optimisation models) in livestock exploitation. Assessment of agricultural, agro-environmental and regional rural development policies.
2. Increase of profitability in livestock production. Improved industrial and commercial use of the livestock products
1.- New feeding methods which save labour and facilitate the work
2. - To optimise the use of alfalfa and sainfoin as an alimentary base.
3- Reproduction biotechnology applied to the selection of autochthonous breeds
4- Molecular genetics applied to animal improvements and to the quality and safety of alimentary products of animal origin.
3. Increment of the value of the livestock products.
1.- To study consumer behaviour with regards to the reasons which lead them to buy meat.
2.- Set up techniques focused to increase the useful life and quality of the meat and derivative products.
3.- Caracterize the quality of the suckling goat kids meat (Spanish lechal).
4.- To test new techniques for the handling of animals as a way to improve the quality of the meat and pork derivatives. Mainly the labelled ham : “Jamón de Teruel “
4. To recover autochthonous species and breeds in danger of extinction
1. - Morphological and genetic characterisation of breeds in danger of extinction.
2.- Constitution of a “Germplasm bank” based on frozen gametes of these breeds, including, in the case of sheep, genotype material of different genetic resistance to scrapie.
3.- Constitution of an “Animal germplasm bank” based on living animals maintained in a reproductive system which avoids consanguinity.
4.- Multiplication of the number of specimens at the livestock farms, by way of actions on site with the transfer of living animals from the Germplasm bank or with the application of artificial insemination.