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This study analysed the incentives for conservation of local breeds in 35 European countries, with the particular reference to the situation in Slovenia. In order to collect all necessary data in different countries, detailed questionnaire was developed and sent out to National coordinators for Animal Genetic Resources in the European Region. Data were edited and analysed using MS Excel program where basic descriptive statistics was performed to show differences among countries in incentive payments. Incentives for local breeds in Slovenia were paid from the Agri-environmental payments. The amount of payment for one livestock unit was 89.38 € per year. Subsidies for adult cattle and horses of local breeds were therefore 89.38 € per animal, while for pigs there were 44.69 € per animal and for sheep and goats 13.41 € per animal. Comparing data from different countries, the highest subsides were received for cattle ranging from 45 € to 520 € for bulls. From all 35 countries, 16 countries have subsidies for horses. Despite two breeds of sheep and one breed of goat in Slovenia highly endangered, the level of subsides for sheep and goats for local breeds included in the environmental payments were equal i.e., 13.41 € per animal. Compared to 21 countries reported the financial support for sheep, only two countries had lower support than in Slovenia. The EC Regulations can explain differences in payments where the Member States are free when determining the payments level. Another reason could be since out of 35 countries, eleven are not EU members. National coordinators from all countries agreed that financial support per head is very important tool for breed conservation and such a practice should be continued. However, the current level of support does not compensate loss of income due to lower productivity.

The objective of the study was to analyze lifetime production data for two Slovenian locally adapted dairy breeds: Slovenian Saanen goat (334) and Slovenian Alpine goat (1105) and for the dairy type of Dreznica goat (141) which is the only Slovenian autochthonous goat breed. Dataset included records from 54 farms. Data for does born after 2002 have been obtained from the database of the National selection program for small ruminants, collected by the ICAR standards. The contribution of farm to phenotypic variance was estimated. Data was analyzed by MIXED procedure in SAS/STAT. The results showed significant effect of breed, farm and year of culling on all traits studied, except the effect of breed on completed lactations in lifetime and number of liveborn kids. The lifetime milk yield was higher in Slovenian Alpine goat compared to Slovenian Saanen goat by 413.26±172.52 kg. The difference in lifetime protein yield between Slovenian Alpine goat and Slovenian Saanen goat amounted to 11.76±5.21 kg. Dreznica goat did not differ in lifetime milk production and protein yield compared to both intensive goat breeds. Dreznica goat yielded about 25.50±5.21 kg more fat in lifetime compared to Slovenian Saanen goat. However, compared to Slovenian Alpine goat the difference was not significant. Comparison of Slovenian Saanen goat and Slovenian Alpine goat revealed higher lifetime fat yield of Slovenian Alpine goat by 13.28±5.21 kg. The results suggested reasonably good performance and adaptation of the autochthonous breed Dreznica goat in local agro climatic conditions.

The Istrian Milk sheep is an endangered breed of the Pramenka group raised in the North-Adriatic Karst region. Carcass and meat characteristics of 46 suckling, 6- to 14- week-old intact male light lambs from two feeding systems were analysed. Thirty-two lambs were raised in a flock fed only with forage (hay supplied in stall during winter or fresh herbage directly grazed during the other seasons). The lambs had free access to the forage supplied to their dams (feeding sys- tem: milk and forage; MF). The other fourteen suckling ovine were grown on a farm with a feeding system incorporat- ing a concentrated supply of the forage base. The lambs were stabled and creep fed on a concentrate (20% CP) at a daily rate of 100 g/head, in addition to the suckled milk (feeding system: milk and concentrate; MC). The carcasses were divid- ed into three categories of weight, following the Community scale of light lambs classification: A (lesser than or equal to 7 kg, n=17), B (7.1-10 kg, n=15) and C (10.1-13 kg, n=14). The frequency of 1st quality carcasses increased with carcass weight, reaching 100% in category C. On average, 72% of the carcasses were scored as 1st quality, without significant differences between feeding systems. The lightness of lamb meat from A carcasses was higher than that from the heaviest ones. Cooking losses showed a pattern opposite to that of pH (mean 5.44; SE 0.058), increasing where pH decreased (cate- gories A and B and concentrate-fed lambs). Shear force values were significantly affected by factors linked to the feed- ing system; in fact, MC lambs provided more tender meat than MF ones (32.6 vs 46.6 N). As carcass weight increased, moisture concentration decreased steadily (from 77.8% to 75.5%), while lipid content increased progressively (from 1.58% to 3.14%). In agreement with these patterns, the contribution of individual fatty acids (FA) to muscle weight gen- erally increased with carcass weight. A similar trend was observed for the relative concentration of saturated FA and monounsaturated FA, while that of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) showed an opposite evolution. The feeding system modi- fied the relationship between ω3 and ω6 PUFA series: with respect to MC meat, MF meat presented a higher content of linolenic acid and its long chain ω3 derivatives and a lower content of linoleic acid and its major product, arachidonic acid. As a consequence, MF lambs furnished meat with a ω3/ω6 ratio and an index of thrombogenicity more favourable for human health than those from MC lambs.

Investigation of the effect of α-linoleic acid (ALA) on goat’s milk production (daily milk yield, fat and protein content) and somatic cell count (SSC) and the persistence of this effect after supplement termination was conducted on 32 Alpine breed goats kept on an indoor Alpine farm. After adaptation period the animals were randomly allocated according to treatment into control group (G0) with no added supplement and test group (G1) where supplement containing ALA was added over a period of five days. Measurements of milk yield and sampling for analysis of milk composition in adaptation period, treatment period and first five days of period after treatment occurred every day at each milking (morning and evening). From the 5th to the 50th day of the after treatment period, measurements and sampling occurred every fifth day. Based on the conducted research it could be concluded that supplementation had no effect on milk yield; it had low effect on milk components and significant effect on SSC. This could be used as a method of choice for reduction of SCC in goat’s milk.

In Slovenian sheep breeding programme rams from top flocks are selected for performance test on growth in two test stations with different conditions. The aim of this work was to develop a model that could be used for genetic evaluation using BLUP method. Data on 3,500 rams of several breeds were collected from breeding programme database and analysed with linear mixed model. The selected model accounted for the following fixed effects: breed, station, age at weighing as quadratic polynomial nested within breed and station, parity and the number of liveborn littermates. Additionally, several random effects were included: origin, origin-year interaction, season as day of weighing, and the effect of individual ram. Results showed differences in growth between breeds and stations, higher body weight for rams born as single lambs and lower body weight for rams born in first parity. Variance component ratios are reported for random effects. The analysis did not include pedigree information, but it was shown a considerable variance between rams.

The geography of Slovenian autochthonous Cika cattle breed was studied over a 140-year period of its development. The first literature reference regarding the dissemination range of original Cika cattle was found in the year 1872, when Schollmayr (1873) studied cattle breeds in Carniola. In the second half of the 19 century, cattle in Carniola were without their own names of breeds and were characterized by a large phenotypic diversity. A generic term “Carniolan cattle” was the most commonly used name and animals were grouped according to their colour. Povše (1893) reported that the red coloured Gorenjska cattle were to the fullest extent spread in the area which today belongs to Gorenjska statistical region. Under the influence of specific climate and breeding conditions in Bohinj area, the smallest in size and the most dairy type of Cika cattle was developed here. They named it as “Bohinj cattle” and this was the original form of Cika cattle. Breeding of Cika cattle maintained in the same area until the sixties of the past century. In the year 1964 a symposium took place in Kranj, where it was decided that Cika cattle was going to get upgraded by Simmental breed. Today, the breeding of Cika cattle is dispersed across a larger area of the Republic of Slovenia, however, it is the most widespread in the north part of Central Slovenian statistical region (Kamnik area) and Gorenjska, especially in the south-eastern part of Julian Alps (Bohinj area). In these two areas, Cika cattle breeding is still most concentrated.

A survey of mountain pasture topsoil was undertaken first to set up field experiment in karst region on effects of applied P on minerals concentration in herbage. Content of SOM, C, N, CEC of soil and its base saturation are presented in the article. Great variability in depth, pH value and K level was found in soil. Low base saturation and high deficit of P was more common for all soil samples. Six different plant species presenting a great portion of herbage available for grazing and browsing at different occasions during grazing season were sampled and analysed for macro- and some microminerals. Concentration of P was very low in perennial grasses (1.1 g P kg−1 of DM). In leaves of common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) and common beech (Fagus silvatica L.) the concentration of P was identical as in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and the level was high enough to cover animal needs when intake of herbage was sufficient. Leaves of woody plants were high in Mn concentration, but still below the levels that reduced growth rate in lambs. Application of P fertilizer had only small effect on increase of P in herbage, but large one on decrease on concentration of Ca in herbage. There was not clear effect of added P on concentration of Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu. Higher yield of DM induced with added fertilizer had not have any dilution effect on concentration of those minor elements in herbage.

Rodovniški podatki kontroliranih tropov so bistvenega pomena za rejce ovc in izvajanje selekcijskih programov. V tej študiji smo preverili, če je možno z osmimi molekularno genetskimi označevalci ter uporabo računalniškega programa ATLAS preveriti skladnost podatkov v več-generacijskih rodovnikih jezersko-solčavske in oplemenjene jezersko-solčavske pasme. Ugotovili smo 90,9 % točnost beleženja rodovniških podatkov, medtem ko smo neskladja ugotovili pri štirih družinah od 44-ih. V dveh primerih je bil potomcu nepravilno pripisan oče ali mati, pri ostalih dveh primerih pa sta bila jagnjetu napačno pripisana oba starša. V drugem delu raziskave smo poskušali z istim nizom mikrosatelitnih označevalcev določiti očetovstva štirim jagnjetom istrske pramenke, kjer v času paritev v trop pripuščajo dvajset ovnov in tako jagnje nima poznanega očeta. Trem jagnjetom smo lahko nedvoumno določili očeta z izločitvijo ostalih devetnajstih. V enem primeru smo ugotovili, da niz osmih označevalcev ni dovolj informativen za določitev očeta potomcu, zato smo analizo razširili in z vključitvijo dodatnih štirih mikrosatelitnih označevalcev uspešno določili očetovstvo tudi v tem primeru. Z izbranim nizom molekularnih označevalcev in obdelave podatkov je možno učinkovito preverjati obstoječe rodovniške podatke in napovedati očetovstvo jagnjetom v tropih, kjer pripuščajo večje število ovnov. Rezultati take analize so lahko v pomoč rejcem in selekcijskim službam za izboljšanje točnosti rodovniških podatkov in učinkovitejše načrtovanje reje in selekcije pri ovcah.

Predstavljeni so rezultati 7-letne raziskave o vplivu dodanega P na njegovo dostopnost v tleh, na vsebnost P v zelinju kraškega pašnika in na povečanje mase razpoložljivega zelinja pri stopnjujočem se odmerku uporabljenega gnojila (0, 90, 270 in 540 kg P2O5 ha-1 skupno v 3 letih). Koncentracija dostopnega P v tleh je bila v obravnavanju nizek odmerek (30 kg P2O5 ha-1 letno) večja za 2,4 mg P2O5 100 g-1 tal od kontrolnega obravnavanja. S trikrat večjim odmerkom gnojila je bila vsebnost P v tleh povečana za 4,4-krat. Vzorčenje zemlje do dveh globin (0 - 3 cm in 3 - 6 cm) je pokazalo, da je večji del razpoložljivega P za rast rastlin v vrhnji, zelo plitvi plasti zemlje. V petih rastnih sezonah po zadnjem gnojenju s P se je zmanjšala koncentracija dostopnega P v tleh od 0,4 mg do 3,6 mg P2O5 100 g-1 tal, odvisno od skupno uporabljenega gnojila. Zaradi izredne siromašnosti zemlje kraškega pašnika s P, je tudi njegova vsebnost v zelinju ruše zelo nizka. Zadošča le za polovično pokritje potreb pašnih živali po tej rudnini, zato je povečanje vsebnosti P v zelinju pri gnojenju s fosfati pomembnejše od povečanja pridelovalne zmogljivosti zemljišča. Z letnim odmerkom 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 se je v treh rastnih sezonah v povprečnem vzorcu zelinja koncentracija P povečala na 2,1 g P kg-1 SS. Uporabljen P je imel na maso zelinja razpoložljivega za pašo in na delež izkoriščenosti ruše majhen vpliv, najverjetneje zaradi kisle reakcije tal in počasnega izboljšanja floristične sestave ruše.

The PrP genotype probabilities in non genotyped Slovenian sheep were calculated. Altogether 36 083 ewes and rams of various breeds were included into analysis. The PrP genotype was known for 10 504 animals. Five different PrP alleles were present in the data set. Pedigree and genotype data structure differed between breeds. Iterative allelic peeling with incomplete penetrance model was used for the calculation of genotype probabilities for each animal given the genotype data of relatives. Analyses were performed for each breed separately. Additionally, NSP (National Scrapie Plan) type probabilities and the average NSP value were calculated from the genotype probabilities. Results were presented for live animals only. There were no animals with additionally identified PrP genotype or NSP type with certainty. The PrP genotype was additionally identified with 95% probability for 0.0 to 5.7% animals of different breeds. NSP type was additionally identified with the same probability for 0.0 to 34.9% animals of different breeds. We assume that the low number of additional identifications was due to: a large number of alleles, intermediate allele frequencies, data structure, a uniform prior, and the use of incomplete penetrance model. Additional identifications provided some cost savings, but did not prove useful in the selection for scrapie resistance of the entire population. The average NSP value should be used instead, since it can be calculated for all animals and encompasses all information from genotype probabilities.

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth parameters of sixteen piglets, divided into two groups was studied. The experiment started when the piglets were 29 days old. Prior the age of 39 days animals were fed restrictively on the same amount of feed, independent of the weight of animal. During the next period of the experiment, between ages of 40 and 75 days, the animals were fed individually, with 1.8 times of maintenance energy. Animals were weighed every week. The experimental group was fed extra with supplement of 1.5% of 80% CLA. The same amount of sunflower oil was used in the control group. During the last period of the experiment, between ages of 76 and 123 days, animals were fed ad libitum with feed without any CLA or sunflower supplement. CLA decreased average feed consumption and weight of the animals. All observed differences were found in the third or last period of the experiment, after the administration of CLA or sunflower oil was finished.

Changes of body measurements and body proportions in endangered Slovenian autochthonous Cika cattle were studied. Forty six years after the last study of Cika cattle body measurements, more than three quarters of the total cow’s population of Cika cattle were measured. Because of great variability of phenotypic traits in Cika cattle population, animals were divided into three groups: Cika cattle type, semi-Cika type and Pinzgauer type. Animals of semi-Cika type were larger than Cika cattle type and animals of Pinzgauer type were larger than semi-Cika type. It was observed, that proportions between linear measurements in all three groups were not different between groups and not different from the “old” Cika cattle type. It could mean that inseminations with Pinzgauer bulls in the past have not had such strong influence on Cika cattle population as assumed. In order to find the animals of Pinzgauer type with an objective method, cluster analysis was performed. In the group with the largest animals, some tendencies towards body proportions of Pinzgauer type were found, but the body proportions were still more similar to proportions of Cika cattle than to proportions of Pinzgauer cattle today and forty six years ago, respectively.

Z namenom, da bi ocenili genetsko sorodnost med tremi slovenskimi avtohtonimi pasmami ovc smo proučevali razlike na mikrosatelitnih lokusih: MAF214, OarCP49, OarFCB11, MAF65, McM42, TGLA53, McM527 in OarAE119. Genotipizacija 95 istrskih pramenk (ISP), 272 bovških ovc (B) in 42 jezersko-solčavskih ovc (JS) je pokazala, da so za vse tri pasme večinoma značilni enaki aleli, oz. še več, 12 alelov je pogostih (> 10 %) v vseh treh pasmah. Na vsakem od lokusov smo našli tudi 1–5 privatnih alelov. Osem alelov je bilo specifičnih za ISP, 8 za B in 3 za JS. Korespondenčna analiza in analiza uvrščanja genotipov osebkov v ustrezno pasmo kažeta, da se večina osebkov pasme ISP uvršča v svojo skupino, medtem ko se porazdelitvi B in JS, zaradi več zelo podobnih genotipov v obeh pasmah, delno prekrivata. Ocene genetskih razdalj potrjujejo višjo sorodnost med B in JS (FST = 0,044) kot med ISP in B (FST = 0,064) ali med ISP in JS (FST = 0,075). Okrog 6 % delež variance, ki izhaja iz razlik med pasmami (FST vrednost), kaže, da razlike med pasmami niso prav velike. Menimo, da so rezultati v skladu s hipotezo o skupnem nastanku B in JS iz domače primitivne bele ovce, oz. nastanku ISP iz nekoliko bolj oddaljene pramenke »Zackel« ovce. Šele nadaljnje analize pa bodo lahko osvetlile vplive padovanske in bergamaške ovce, ki sta verjetno sodelovali pri nastanku JS, pa tudi vplive drugih sojev pramenk na ISP.

Predstavljamo statistično analizo, ki smo jo uporabili za vrednotenje poskusa, izvedenega na Odd. za zootehniko Biotehniške fak. Univ. v Ljubljani. Dobljeni podatki ne omogočajo uporabe standardnih statističnih metod. V tem prispevku predstavljamo ideje in pristope, ki smo jih uporabili pri statistični analizi in so nas pripeljali do odgovorov na zastavljena vprašanja. Namen tega članka je uporabljeno statistično analizo predstaviti širšemu krogu raziskovalcev, ki se ukvarjajo s podobno problematiko na drugih področjih, saj podobni poskusi v biotehniških vedah niso redki.

Genetic and environmental dispersion parameters for daily milk yield (DMY), fat (FC), protein (PC) and lactose contents (LC) were estimated on 1805 does of Alpine and Saanen breed. During the period 1991-1996, 24044 monthly test days were obtained from 57 herds in Slovenia. (Co)variance components for random effects and residual were estimated by REML using Powell’s algorithm. The models contained season (year-month interaction) and breed as fixed effects, litter size, day of lactation and parity as independent variables, and common flock, permanent environment and additive genetic effect (animal) as random effects. Heritability for DMY was 0.19 - 0.20, for FC was 0.16 - 0.18, for PC was 0.21 - 0.24, and for LC was 0.21 - 0.23. The greatest part of phenotypic variance of FC, PC and LC remained in residual. FC and PC had a negative genetic correlation with DMY (-0.32 and -0.41). Correlation between FC and PC was positive (+0.57), as between PC and LC (+0.27).