Development of dual-purpose Pinzgau cattle

The merits and the production potential of the Pinzgau breed are clear. The animals are sturdy and productive in harsh environments and responds to improvements in husbandry conditions with a corresponding increase in production levels of beef or milk. The role of the Pinzgau breed should be clearly defined and included in the food security policy and the food production strategy of each participating nation. The Pinzgau is not able to compete in milk or beef production with highly specialized breeds. Rather, its potential and suitability for smallholders is evident and what is to be gained from keeping the Pinzgau breed is very clear. What cannot be done is to place on the Pinzgau the burden to be the only or the main source of income for small farmers. The exploitation of alternative uses of the Pinzgau breed, (e.g., agritourism) is important to assert its cultural value in some regions. The Pinzgau populations from Austria, Slovakia and Romania do not need to lose their individual identities. A major breeding goal is needed to establish an effective joint breed evaluation programme but each country will remain sovereign to make their own decisions on how to use the information and to adjust their breeding goals or selection indexes to meet specific needs. It is important to remember that the existence of different breeding goals is not incompatible with a consolidated breed evaluation. This monograph a trust building process. Among the positive outcomes of this exercise are the expected improvements for trade conditions, higher genetic gains in the larger Pinzgau population, improved awareness, establishment of a cooperation network for mutual support, including stronger political lobbying. In addition, ownership and commitment to the big picture has proved more important than individual issues. There are enough similarities in the breeding and production goals of the three countries to justify the efforts and continuing to take action is important and necessary to retain the current momentum.