Survey of demographic and phenotypic data of local pig breeds of Treasure Project

Local genetic resources represent an important reservoir of biodiversity in the animal sector. Sustainable use of these resources can be an important source of income for farmers taking advantage of the peculiar characteristics of their products. The different European local pig breeds have a different level of knowledge of their characteristics both at demographic and phenotypic level. This information, however, is fundamental to the management of the breeds and represent one of the first steps in a project for the enhancement of production. This paper reports the results of a survey on the demographic and phenotypic characterization of the 20 European local pig breeds involved in the TREASURE* project. The first part of the survey shows, for all populations involved, the available demographic parameters, the structure of the breed (i.e. number of males, females and replacements), the main morphological features, the reproductive information as well as some additional information collected at herd-level (i.e. temperament, holding, mating practices). A second module reports the results related to the origins and development of the breeds, to market characteristics and the presence and distribution of niche products. The survey concludes with a module related to the specific characteristics of each breed and the management of the same in relation to food and the environment. The survey is the starting point of the genetic and productive characterization of the breeds involved that are future actions of the TREASURE project.

Os moinhos do Rio Almansor no Concelho de Montemor-o-Novo : Um património a conhecer, preservar e valorizar

Esta dissertação tem como tema "Os Moinhos do Rio Almansor no Concelho de Montemor-o-Novo- um património a conhecer, preservar e valorizar", é composta por cinco capítulos, nos quais se pretendeu demonstrar a importância que o património molinológico tem na actualidade, abordar a própria evolução do conceito que abrange hoje os moinhos na vertente cultural, apresentação de alguns estudos e experiências de valorização a nível nacional e internacional deste património, breve descrição da evolução tecnológica tradicional da moagem e análise dos factores geomorfológicos e históricos que estiveram na origem desta actividad em Montemor-o-Novo, o que possibilitou um melhor conhecimento e compreensão do seu desenvolvimento. Um dos principais objectivos foi dar a conhecer os moinhos existentes ao longo das margens do Rio Almansor no Concelho de Montemor, a partir do levantamento patrimonial realizado no terreno, durante o estágio realizado na Câmara Municipal, nomeadamente a sua identificação e caracterização arquitectónica e molinológica. No último capítulo apresenta-se, em resposta ao objectivo principal desta dissertação, uma proposta de valorização dos moinhos, que possa contribuir para a preservação e salvaguarda do pouco, que ainda existe deste património, neste Concelho. A metodologia que se seguiu para a realização desta dissertação assentou em cinco vertentes: em primeiro lugar no levantamento de campo, que foi alvo de pesquisa de localização e identificação dos moinhos no terreno; realização de entrevistas; pesquisa de fontes e de documentação antiga e recolha de bibliografia. Como resultados obtidos pode-se destacar ao longo deste trabalho de dissertação, um conhecimento geral do desenvolvimento da moagem em Portugal, a caracterização e identificação dos moinhos hidráulicos existentes no rio Almansor neste Concelho e a proposta de preservação e valorização deste património molinológico montemorense que poderá servir como exemplo para outras propostas similares, assim como também contribuir para a melhoria de futuras propostas. ABSTRACT; The theme of this dissertation is "The mills of the River Almansor in Montemor­o-Novo County - a cultural heritage to know, preserve and treasure". It's constituted by five chapters, in which we intended to demonstrate the importance that the molinological heritage has nowadays. ln a cultural view it is disseminated on a national and international level by the approaching of the evolution of the concept like it is demonstrated by some studies and experiments here presented, as well as a brief description of the technological evolution of the traditional grinding and analysis of the geomorphologic and historical factors that were in the origin of this activity in Montemor-o-Novo, which allowed a better knowledge and understanding of their development. One of the main goals was to portray the existing mills alongside the river banks of Almansor, in the County of Montemor. lt was made throughout a survey of the patrimonial background on the field, during the training held by the City Hall, including its identification and molinological architectural characterization. ln the last chapter was presented as a response to the main reason of this dissertation, a revival proposal of the mills, which may contribute to the preservation and protection of the few that still remains, in this County. The methodology that was followed for this thesis was based on five aspects: first, the field survey, revealing the research and identification of the location of the mills on the field; interviews, research of sources, old documentation and collection of bibliography.

First reproductive and productive results on “Ribatejano pig”

The present trail aimed to study the effect of crossbreeding between Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) swine breeds (“Ribatejano pig”) on some reproductive and productive traits. Nine AL gilts and sows and six BI gilts were crossed with BI and AL boars, respectively. Mating and farrowing dates, prolificacy and litter size at 28d were registered for all sows. The pregnancy length of AL sows was shorter (111±0.4d vs 113.7±0.5d; p=0.002) than the observed on BI females. The BI gilts presented higher prolificacy rate than AL on both total born (11.0±1.0 vs 6.7±0.8; P=0.004) and born alive piglets (10.0±1.0 vs 6.7±0.8; p=0.026). The mortality rate was similar in both genotypes (p=0.255) being on average 12%, therefore at 28d after farrowing the litter size remained higher in BI sows (8.5±0.8 vs 6.1±0.6; p= 0.032). A subset of each genotype (4 gilts) was supervised during farrowing and lactation (until 28d) and piglets were weighed at birth, 24h and 28d of live. Farrowing length was not significantly different (p=0.253) between genotypes, averaging 97±22 min. When compared to ALBI (AL x BI) piglets, the BIAL (BI x AL) piglets were heavier at birth (1402±46g vs 1209±36g; p=0.002). Colostrum intake of piglets per kg of birth weight on the first 24h of life was similar between genotypes (p=0.735) being 289±15g for ALBI and 281±19g for BIAL piglets. The growth rate of piglets from birth to 28d and piglet weight at 28d was not different between genotypes (p=0.161 and p=0.091) averaging 195±6g and 6761±181g, respectively. Litter weight at 28d tended (P=0.06) to be higher on ALBI litters (56.6±4.0kg) than BIAL litters (43.2±4.0kg). This results obtained within the frame of Treasure project* are, at our knowledge, the first data of these crossbred piglets and could be used in future as reference for further studies and also for farmers that may try these cross on a commercial basis.