Country
Cyprus
Agricultural Area
78 ha
About ERS
- Lead: Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus - ARI
- Contact: Dionysis Sparaggis
- Production System: Livestock production (sheep, goats, dairy cattle), and arable forage production
Thematic Areas Covered
Additives for Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions
Crops Management
Forage Production
Herd Management
Manure Storage and Spreading
Soil Health and Biodiversity
Water Management
Description
The Athalassa Experimental Farm of the Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus was established 50 years ago and covers an area of about 80 hectares, including animal sheds and arable fields for the cultivation of forage crops.
It is located outside of Nicosia and consists of the Friesian/Holstein Dairy Cattle Unit and the Sheep and Goat Unit. The small ruminant herds consist of 350 Cyprus Chios sheep and 300 Cyprus Damascus goats. Daily milk yield is recorded automatically during milking, and this led to improved phenotyping for genetic evaluations. A training center has been established to facilitate the provision of training seminars for farmers and other relevant stakeholders.
Characteristics
Research at the Athalassa Experimental Farm focuses on the topics of nutrition, management, animal breeding and physiology of reproduction. All projects are ultimately directed towards increasing milk and meat yields under semi-intensive or intensive management systems in sheep, goats and dairy cattle.
Research work on animal breeding aims at improving the genetic stock with respect to important economic traits using within-breed selection methods and employing genetic methods to combat the scrapie disease in Chios sheep and Damascus goat. Artificial rearing systems are evaluated, with automated feeders and milk substitute being used for lambs and kids. Finally, the Station participates in EU and national projects regarding the reduction of GHG emissions.
