In the Marche region, the main mode of breeding pigs is stabled and there are few extensive farms, but there is a renewed interest in free or semi-free-range farming system. At the same time, there is a need to revitalize mountain marginal territories that are destined for being abandoned, while also satisfying the rising demand in the market for adopting high animal welfare standards and fighting climate change.
For these reasons, the “S.M.S.M.” project plans to start experimentation on the new hybrid “Suino della Marca®,” which has genetic traits that make it especially suitable for extensive breeding. The development of the wild and semi-wild breeding system will be the best solution for animal welfare and environmental protection regulations. In fact, this new hybrid does not involve any concentrated production of slurry, maintains a balanced ratio between agricultural area and live weight raised, and allows for an enhancement of even marginal land.
The project has a duration of 28 months (January 2024 – April 2026) and is financed by submeasure 16.2 PIF announcement AGRO 2022 – RDP Marche 2014/2022 – ID SIAR 68830 (FEASR funds – granted contribution €143,076.80).
THE OPERATIONAL GROUP COMPOSITION
Farming companies
UNIONE DEI SUINICOLTORI MARCHIGIANI SOCIETA’ COOPERATIVA AGRICOLA (Lead Partner)
IMPRONTA VERDE SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA A RESPONSABILITA’ LIMITATA
Transformer companies
Research
Information
ARCA SRL BENEFIT
Innovation introduced
Experimentation of rustic lines with high ICA in the “Suino della Marca®
In detail, the project involves the following innovation elements:
- Identification and spread in the “Suino della Marca®” population of rustic genetic lines with a high index of food conversion (ICA);
- Development of a feeding diet rich in fiber with the aim of increasing the pig’s growth performance and obtaining a product with a distinctive flavour;
- Enhancement of the leg with the aim of having sweet seasoned hams from the “Suino della Marca®” raised in the semi-wild state.
This project comes as a result of another project for the development of Suino della Marca coordinated by Impresa Verde and Baldi Srl.
EXPECTED RESULTS
To improve the competitiveness of the Marche’s zootechnical production system and its potential for market penetration through the new “Suino della Marca®” hybrid, producing and enhancing sweet and cured hams.
ACTIVITIES
OPERATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF EXPERIMENTATION
An expert geneticist from UNICAM will have the role of setting up the trial by identifying at least 5 different genetic lines among the Suino della Marca population
MANAGEMENT COST EVALUATION AND CALCULATION OF ICA
Evaluation of feed ration costs and analysis of growths. The data collected will allow the evaluation of which rations are most adequate for the identified genetic lines and, thus, allow the calculation of the specific ICA index for each genetic line.
CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND CATHEPSIN RESEARCH
Performance tests will allow the identification of the elements that influence the presence or the absence of the enzymes called cathepsins.
EXPERIMENTATION AND COMPARISON ON THE QUALITY OF TRANSFORMED
Two farms will fatten some “Suino della Marca” heads of breeding and they will realize the related processed products. These products will be compared with those obtained from other genetic lines.
DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS AND ANIMATION
The purpose of the dissemination effort is to ensure maximum and widespread external dissemination of project results as they are obtained.
FINAL AND MARKET OUTCOMES
The hoped-for results of the research project are: increased production of Fabriano Salami by the consortium, increased turnover for processing companies, and the spread of the Suino della Marca breed.
Initiative realized within the project “S.M.S.M.” (ID 68830) financed by the submeasure 16.2 call PIF AGRO 2022 of the Rural Development Program of the Marche Region 2014/2022
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe invests in rural areas.
PROJECT CONTACTS
DANIELE CAIMMI
caimmidaniele64@gmail.com
Partner
