C.R.A.

C.R.A. - C.R.A. - ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Animal Production Research Institute, Section of Potenza of CRA, in the last years, has focused the field of research on the role of dietary treatments (pasture, hay and single plants), the traditional techniques of cheese making and the environment, on milk and cheese quality.

Since it has the farms with sheep’s and goats, has evaluated the role of pasture and feeling systems on milk, cheese and meat quality. During these studies it has verified that the parameters of evaluation, to explaining the Southern rearing systems, were not appropriated to measure the potentiality of these areas. Consequently, was carried out the research aimed to individualize the factors and the parameters that give more information about this territory. The institute, in the last years, has taken part to research programs, as partner proponent, in the field on the relationship between feeding and quality of milk, cheese and meat quality. Particularly, it has focused the field on the improvement of milk and cheese production of Southern of Italy, for the protection and valorisation of typical products. Besides these activity was finalized to take the training course for cheese manufacturing and technicians. At present, the Institute has taken part to research programs of the Agency Lucana for Agricultural Innovation (ALSIA), aimed to realize the network of technical and professional, from different areas European, for the maintenance, promotion and territorial development of typical cheeses production.

In this project, the research activities are carried out through 4 units of permanent staff: the manager of Section Dr, Roberto Rubino, the researchers Dr. Vincenzo Fedele, Dr. Michele Pizzillo , Dr. Salvatore Claps, and additional units including personnel on a contract basis, Dr. Giulia Francesca Cifuni, and technical collaborators , Giovanni Masino and Antonio Doronzio. The Institute it has 2 farms (with 800 goats, 250 ovine and 15 buffalos) and the laboratory equipped for chemical and physical analysis and applied techniques (GC-MS, GC, HPLC, Purge and Traps). Moreover it includes the dairy technology laboratory, the panel test laboratory and the room of ripening cheese.

The Institute has strong scientific and institutional relationships. Some external relationships are permanent and represent a real partnership for the formulation and realization of projects in different fields. Currently it has solid partnerships with the following Institutes: CNR, INRAN, the University of Basilicata, Portici, Catania, Palermo, Reggio Calabria, Parma, Campobasso and Bari. Besides, it has the relationship with the Institute of INA-PG, INRA (France), FAM (Swisse), and CSIS of Canaries, and the University of Barcellona.