Systems of production in the Italian beef and sheep industry: prospects for extensive systems
1996
Malorgio, G.A. (Bologna University (Italy))
Around 64,6 per cent of the beef/veal consumed in the country is domestic produce. It falls to 50 per cent if the number of live animals imported from abroad is taken into consideration. Looking at cattle breeding, in the last year there has been a decrease in all categories of animals with the notable exception of beef cows. The limited availability of fodder, low rainfall and the characteristics of soil, found in most of hilly and mountain in Italian Regions, make it hard to achieve satisfactory economic results. The prospects for breeding sheep and cattle through the extensive farming system with a low investment of capital and labour and ample use of land depend on the availability of land. An optimal combination of pasture and fallow land is needed for the production of hay thus ensuring a supply of animal fodder at reasonable prices and the best use of available capital. These conditions are however hard to find, due to difficulties involved in the system of land tenure, the current legislation on renting, the inefficiency of the cooperative system and high land prices which limit the possibilities of acquiring the necessary land to develop an economically viable extensive system.
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This bibliographic record has been provided by Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari