Role and evolution of dual-purpose breeds in Mediterranean areas. The case of the Central Pyrenees

During the 20(th) century, cattle production systems in the Central Pyrenees experienced continuous changes in their orientations. Brown cattle were introduced at the beginning of the century on both sides of the Pyrenees for improving the local mountain breeds. The adaptive capacity of this dual-purpose breed for production in harsh environments constituted a core element in these changes. In the Spanish side, Brown cattle became the prevailing breed since the 1950s and 1960s in systems benefiting both their meat and milk production capacities. Dairy production was intensified afterwards, before the later abandonment of milking practices, subsequent to the integration of Spain in the European Community. The Brown breed is now used for meat production. It competes successfully, at least in terms of suckler cow numbers, with other breeds better prepared for calf production. In the French side, Brown cattle, introduced with the aim of developing milk production for butter and cheese industry, became the prevailing breed in dairy areas located in the foothills and some valleys, where it was used in systems associating veal and milk production. Following the milk quotas policy in 1984 which accelerated both the decline in faun numbers and the intensification of milk yield, dairy production was maintained even better in the foothills, than in mountain valleys. In most of the farms in the foothills, Brown cows were replaced by specialised dairy cows (Holstein Friesian). By contrast, Brown cattle remain the main breed in use on the few dairy farms in mountain valleys where milk is mainly processed into home-made cheese. The factors involved in these contrasted changes are examined. The current interest in Brown cattle rather than the local breed selected for calf production in suckler herds on the Spanish Pyrenees conditions is discussed from a comparative analysis of their performance traits (greater sexual precocity, higher intake capacity, quicker growth rates of the calves consequence of their higher birth weight and milk yield). The current interest of Brown cattle rather than the specialised dairy Holstein breed under the French Pyrenees conditions is discussed as an analysis of current projects for change in dairy production in the region (development of high quality cheese production). In conclusion, we address the interesting possibility of using a dual-purpose breed rather than a specialised meat or dairy breed in the current conditions of farming in Mediterranean harsh environments.