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Dr. Emilio Sabia
Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy

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0 Biodiversity
0 Dairy Science
0 Feeding
0 Ruminant Nutrition
0 environmental impact

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carbon footprint
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Journal article
Published: 08 April 2021 in Journal of Environmental Management
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Agricultural livestock production ranks among the most environmental impactful industry sectors at the global level, and within the livestock sector, beef production accounts for a large proportion of environmental damage. Beef production in Alpine mountain regions, such as in South Tyrol (Italy), is a small, but increasing agricultural sector. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the environmental impact of different organic and conventional beef production systems in South Tyrol and to compare their environmental impact and effect on biodiversity under Alpine production conditions. Live cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used and 1 kg of live weight (LW) was chosen as functional unit (FU). Global warming potential (GWP, kg CO2-eq), acidification potential (AP, g SO2-eq), eutrophication potential (EP, g PO4-eq), non-renewable energy use (NRE, MJ-eq), land occupation (LO, m2 organic land/year) and biodiversity damage potential (BDP) expressed in potential disappeared fraction (PDF) were investigated. The study involved 18 beef cattle farms in the South Tyrolean region: Conventional calf-fattening farms (CCF = 6), organic suckler cow farms (SCF = 6), and conventional heifer/ox fattening farms (HOF = 6). The CCF system showed a higher environmental impact compared to SCF and HOF systems for all impact categories (P < 0.05). Between the organic and the conventional system (SCF and HOF), no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found for most of the considered impact categories (means ± SEM per FU): GWP: 19.8 vs 17.1 ± 4.2 kg CO2-eq, AP: 11.4 vs 9.3 ± 4.7 g SO2-eq, EP: 4.1 vs 2.8 ± 1.2, NRE: 21.9 vs 13.8 ± 7 MJ-eq, SCF and HOF respectively. Only for LO (70.8 vs 44.1 ± 17.7 m2 organic/y, P < 0.01, SCF and HOF respectively) and the effect on BDP (−1.93 vs −0.85 ± 0.35, PDF, P < 0.01, SCF and HOF respectively) differences between organic and conventional production methods could be revealed. The study showed that beef cattle husbandry in the Alpine area has a satisfactory environmental performance. In particular, the systems studied showed a positive impact in terms of biodiversity.

ACS Style

Verena Angerer; Emilio Sabia; Uta König von Borstel; Matthias Gauly. Environmental and biodiversity effects of different beef production systems. Journal of Environmental Management 2021, 289, 112523 .

AMA Style

Verena Angerer, Emilio Sabia, Uta König von Borstel, Matthias Gauly. Environmental and biodiversity effects of different beef production systems. Journal of Environmental Management. 2021; 289 ():112523.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Verena Angerer; Emilio Sabia; Uta König von Borstel; Matthias Gauly. 2021. "Environmental and biodiversity effects of different beef production systems." Journal of Environmental Management 289, no. : 112523.

Journal article
Published: 19 March 2020 in Animals
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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of chickpea meal in substitution of soybean meal on plasma metabolites, reproductive response, milk yield and composition and milk coagulation traits of primiparous buffaloes in early lactation. Eighteen primiparous buffaloes were blocked by age, body weight and days in milk and equally allotted to two experimental groups from 10 to 100 days of lactation. The experimental diets consisted of the same forage integrated with two different isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates containing either 210 g/kg of soybean meal or 371 g/kg chickpea. The use of chickpea meal had no negative effects on dry matter intake (p = 0.69), body condition score (p = 0.33) and milk yield (p = 0.15). Neither milk composition nor blood metabolites were influenced by dietary treatments (p > 0.05), but an increment of urea concentrations in milk (p < 0.05) and blood plasma (p < 0.001) were observed in buffaloes fed chickpeas. Moreover, no effect (p > 0.05) of the dietary treatment was highlighted on milk coagulation traits as well as buffalo reproductive responses. We concluded that soybean meal can be replaced by chickpea meal in the diet for primiparous dairy buffaloes in the early lactation period without impairing their productive and reproductive performance.

ACS Style

Francesco Serrapica; Felicia Masucci; Raffaele Romano; Fabio Napolitano; Emilio Sabia; Alessandra Aiello; Antonio Di Francia. Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation. Animals 2020, 10, 515 .

AMA Style

Francesco Serrapica, Felicia Masucci, Raffaele Romano, Fabio Napolitano, Emilio Sabia, Alessandra Aiello, Antonio Di Francia. Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation. Animals. 2020; 10 (3):515.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Serrapica; Felicia Masucci; Raffaele Romano; Fabio Napolitano; Emilio Sabia; Alessandra Aiello; Antonio Di Francia. 2020. "Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation." Animals 10, no. 3: 515.

Journal article
Published: 09 March 2020 in Sustainability
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Several studies on the environmental impacts of livestock enterprises are based on the application of life cycle assessments (LCA). In Alpine regions, soil carbon sequestration can play an important role in reducing environmental impacts. However, there is no official methodology to calculate this possible reduction. Biodiversity plays an important role in the Alpine environment and is affected by human activities, such as cattle farming. Our aim was to estimate the carbon footprint (CF) of four different dairy production systems (different in breeds and feeding intensity) by using the LCA approach. The present study included 44 dairy Alpine farms located in the autonomous province of Bolzano in northern Italy. Half of the farms (n = 22) kept Alpine Grey and the other half (n = 22) Brown Swiss cattle. Within breeds, the farms were divided by the amount of concentrated feed per cow and day into high concentrate (HC) and low concentrate (LC). This resulted in 11 Alpine Grey low concentrate (AGLC) farms feeding an average amount of 3.0 kg concentrated feed/cow/day and 11 Alpine Grey high concentrate (AGHC) farms with an average amount of 6.3 kg concentrated feed/cow/day. Eleven farms kept Brown Swiss cows with an average amount of 3.7 kg concentrated feed/cow/day (BSLC) and another 11 farms feeding on average 7.6 kg concentrated feed/cow/day (BSHC). CF for the four systems was estimated using the LCA approach. The functional unit was 1 kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM). Furthermore, two methodologies have been applied to estimate soil carbon sequestration and effect on biodiversity. The system with the lowest environmental impact in terms of CF was BSHC (1.14 kg CO2-eq/kg of FPCM), while the most impactful system was the AGLC group (1.55 kg CO2-eq/kg of FPCM). Including the CF reduction due to soil carbon sequestered from grassland, it decreased differently for the two applied methods. For all four systems, the main factor for CF was enteric emission, while the main pollutant was biogenic CH4. Conversely, AGLC had the lowest impact when the damage to biodiversity was considered (damage score = 0.41/kg of FPCM, damage to ecosystem diversity = 1.78 E-07 species*yr/kg FPCM). In comparison, BSHC had the greatest impact in terms of damage to biodiversity (damage score = 0.56/kg of FPCM, damage to ecosystem diversity = 2.49 E-07 species*yr/kg FPCM). This study indicates the importance of including soil carbon sequestration from grasslands and effects on biodiversity when calculating the environmental performance of dairy farms.

ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Sarah Kühl; Laura Flach; Christian Lambertz; Matthias Gauly. Effect of Feed Concentrate Intake on the Environmental Impact of Dairy Cows in an Alpine Mountain Region Including Soil Carbon Sequestration and Effect on Biodiversity. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2128 .

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Sarah Kühl, Laura Flach, Christian Lambertz, Matthias Gauly. Effect of Feed Concentrate Intake on the Environmental Impact of Dairy Cows in an Alpine Mountain Region Including Soil Carbon Sequestration and Effect on Biodiversity. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (5):2128.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Sarah Kühl; Laura Flach; Christian Lambertz; Matthias Gauly. 2020. "Effect of Feed Concentrate Intake on the Environmental Impact of Dairy Cows in an Alpine Mountain Region Including Soil Carbon Sequestration and Effect on Biodiversity." Sustainability 12, no. 5: 2128.

Original research
Published: 27 February 2020 in International Journal of Dairy Technology
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two dietary treatments, ryegrass hay (RH) and wrapped ryegrass silage (WRS) on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of buffalo Mozzarella cheese. The primary data were collected from 40 female buffaloes. Twenty animals were fed RH, and other twenty received WRS. Volatile organic compounds were identified using a mass selective detector after extraction with a ‘purge and trap’ system and a gas chromatographic analysis. Our results showed differences in the aromatic profile of Mozzarella cheese samples obtained from buffaloes receiving different feed. In particular, 5 VOCs allowed the discrimination between cheese samples.

ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Matthias Gauly; Fabio Napolitano; Giulia Francesca Cifuni; Salvatore Claps. The effect of different dietary treatments on volatile organic compounds and aromatic characteristics of buffalo Mozzarella cheese. International Journal of Dairy Technology 2020, 73, 594 -603.

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Matthias Gauly, Fabio Napolitano, Giulia Francesca Cifuni, Salvatore Claps. The effect of different dietary treatments on volatile organic compounds and aromatic characteristics of buffalo Mozzarella cheese. International Journal of Dairy Technology. 2020; 73 (3):594-603.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Matthias Gauly; Fabio Napolitano; Giulia Francesca Cifuni; Salvatore Claps. 2020. "The effect of different dietary treatments on volatile organic compounds and aromatic characteristics of buffalo Mozzarella cheese." International Journal of Dairy Technology 73, no. 3: 594-603.

Journal article
Published: 25 February 2020 in Small Ruminant Research
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Sheep milk production is an important livestock sector for the European Mediterranean countries including the regions of southern Italy. The main objective of this study was to investigate the carbon footprint and the related damages generated by dairy sheep farming by using a simplified LCA approach based on the ReCiPe End-point method. We used 1 kg of Fat and Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) as functional unit (FU). The average flock size was about 400 animals and the average farm size was about 66 ha. In addition to milk all farms produced meat and wool. Therefore, we performed an economic allocation by dividing all inputs and outputs among milk and the other two co-products (meat and wool), based on farm financial statements. The CF impact determined by 1 kg of FPCM was 3.78 kg CO2-eq. The highest CF impact was mainly due to the enteric fermentation, producing biogenic CH4 as the prevalent chemical compound, followed by the production of meadow hay. Based on the ReCiPe End-point method the impact of 1 kg of FPCM from dairy sheep farming was 7.35 E-06 Disability Adjusted Life Years, whereas the Damage to Ecosystem Diversity was 3.29 E-07 Species*year and the value of the Damage to Resource Availability 0.025 $. In conclusion, the environmental management and sustainability of sheep farms should be constantly controlled with the aim of minimizing their impacts without compromising the competitiveness of this productive sector.

ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Matthias Gauly; Fabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Giulia Francesca Cifuni; Salvatore Claps. Dairy sheep carbon footprint and ReCiPe end-point study. Small Ruminant Research 2020, 185, 106085 .

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Matthias Gauly, Fabio Napolitano, Francesco Serrapica, Giulia Francesca Cifuni, Salvatore Claps. Dairy sheep carbon footprint and ReCiPe end-point study. Small Ruminant Research. 2020; 185 ():106085.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Matthias Gauly; Fabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Giulia Francesca Cifuni; Salvatore Claps. 2020. "Dairy sheep carbon footprint and ReCiPe end-point study." Small Ruminant Research 185, no. : 106085.

Journal article
Published: 16 May 2019 in Animals
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This study aimed to assess the relationship between stockperson behavior and buffalo behavior. The research was carried out in 27 buffalo farms. The behavior of stockpeople and animals during milking and the avoidance distance at the feeding place were recorded. Recordings were repeated within one month to assess test-retest reliability. A high degree of test-retest reliability was observed for all the variables with Spearman rank correlation coefficients (rs) ranging from 0.578 (p = 0.002, df = 25) for the number of kicks performed during milking to 0.937 (p < 0.001, df = 25) for the percentage of animals moving when approached by ≤ 0.5 m. The number of negative stockperson interactions correlated positively with the number of kicks during milking (rs = 0.421, p < 0.028, df = 25) and the percentage of animals injected with oxytocin (rs = 0.424, p < 0.027), whereas the percentage of negative stockperson interactions correlated positively with the percentage of buffaloes moving when approached at a distance >1 m (rs = 0.415, p < 0.031, df = 25). In a subsample of 14 farms, milk yield was correlated positively with the number of positive interactions (rs = 0.588, p < 0.027, df = 12) and correlated negatively with the number of steps performed by the animals during milking (rs = -0.820, p < 0.001, df = 12). This study showed that the quality of stockpeople interactions may affect buffalo behavior and production.

ACS Style

Fabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Felicia Masucci; Emilio Sabia; Giuseppe De Rosa. Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Buffalo Farms. Animals 2019, 9, 246 .

AMA Style

Fabio Napolitano, Francesco Serrapica, Ada Braghieri, Felicia Masucci, Emilio Sabia, Giuseppe De Rosa. Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Buffalo Farms. Animals. 2019; 9 (5):246.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Felicia Masucci; Emilio Sabia; Giuseppe De Rosa. 2019. "Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Buffalo Farms." Animals 9, no. 5: 246.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2018 in Journal of Buffalo Science
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ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Giuseppe De Rosa; Matthias Gauly; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli. Life Cycle Assessment of Dairy Buffalo Calves in an Italian Farm. Journal of Buffalo Science 2018, 7, 58 -63.

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Fabio Napolitano, Giuseppe De Rosa, Matthias Gauly, Ada Braghieri, Corrado Pacelli. Life Cycle Assessment of Dairy Buffalo Calves in an Italian Farm. Journal of Buffalo Science. 2018; 7 (3):58-63.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Giuseppe De Rosa; Matthias Gauly; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli. 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment of Dairy Buffalo Calves in an Italian Farm." Journal of Buffalo Science 7, no. 3: 58-63.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2018 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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In the near future dairy enterprises will have to meet increasing environmental regulations. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects on the environment of dairy buffalo farming as affected by two different heifer rearing systems, free-ranging (FR) and confinement (C) using the Life Cycle Assessment approach. The primary data were collected from 32 subjects. The analysis included all of the farming phases (i.e. birth to weaning, weaning to 7-8 months of age, 7-8 months to puberty, puberty to first calving, lactation, dry period). During the heifer phase from 7-8 months of age to puberty, sixteen animals were group-housed and confined in an indoor slatted floor pen (4 m2/animal) with an outdoor paddock (4 m2/animal); 16 others were FR on a Mediterranean natural pasture. When pubertal, the animals from system FR were returned to the farm and reunited with the animals from system C. We used 1 kg of fat and protein corrected buffalo milk (FPCM), with a reference milk fat and protein content of 8.3% and 4.73%, respectively, as functional unit. Impact categories investigated were Climate Change (CC), Terrestrial Acidification (TA), Marine Eutrophication (ME), Agricultural land occupation (ALO), Water depletion (WD). At category level system FR showed a reduction of the impact in terms of CC (9%), TA (10%), ME (6%) and WD (11%), whereas ALO was 7% higher as compared to system C. In conclusion, we clearly showed that the conduction of part of dairy buffalo farming (i.e. the unproductive phase from 7-8 months of age to puberty) on natural pasture is possible and it also allows the reduction of several sources of pollution while reducing the production costs, hence the economic sustainability. Although this system requires a greater use of land, parameters concerning the quality of land use should be included for a more accurate assessment of this aspect.

ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Salvatore Claps; Giuseppe De Rosa; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli. Dairy buffalo life cycle assessment as affected by heifer rearing system. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 192, 647 -655.

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Fabio Napolitano, Salvatore Claps, Giuseppe De Rosa, Ada Braghieri, Corrado Pacelli. Dairy buffalo life cycle assessment as affected by heifer rearing system. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 192 ():647-655.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Salvatore Claps; Giuseppe De Rosa; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli. 2018. "Dairy buffalo life cycle assessment as affected by heifer rearing system." Journal of Cleaner Production 192, no. : 647-655.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Agricultural Systems
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In western countries buffaloes are emerging as an alternative species for dairy product differentiation. In the near future dairy enterprises will have to meet increasing environmental regulations. Life Cycle Assessment has been widely used to assess the environmental impact of different milk production systems. We aimed to examine the environmental consequences of two dairy buffalo heifer farming systems using the Life Cycle Assessment approach. The primary data were collected from 32 subjects aged 7â\u80\u938 months at the start of the experiment until they reached the age of puberty in about 12 months (i.e. at the age of 19â\u80\u9320 months). Sixteen animals were group-housed and confined in an indoor slatted floor pen (4 m2/animal) with an outdoor paddock (4 m2/animal); 16 others free-ranged on a Mediterranean natural pasture. The environmental charges for global warming potential expressed in terms of total emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) was 35.7% less in the free-ranging system as compared with the confined system. The main source of pollution for the confined system was biogenic methane (total amount produced = 2012 kg CO2-eq) followed by CO2from fossil fuels (total amount produced = 1006 kg CO2-eq). The environmental charges for acidification potential, eutrophication potential and non-renewable energy use were 86.3%. 60.0% and 81.4% lower in the free-ranging system compared with the confined system, respectively. In the confined system the largest pollutant in terms of acidification potential was ammonia, whereas nitrate leaching in water (total amount produced = 3311 g SO2-eq) and the use of crude oil (total amount consumed = 5684 MJ-eq) were the most relevant for eutrophication potential and non-renewable energy use, respectively. Our results represent the first example of study comparing the environmental impact of an intensive dairy farming system with an alternative natural pasture based system in the Mediterranean region and suggest that the conduction of the unproductive part of the cycle on natural pasture can promote the reduction of several sources of pollution both in atmosphere and in water. Conversely, land occupation was higher in the free-ranging system as compared with the confined system (20,349 vs 1381 m2year, respectively). However, the software and the database used for this calculation only considered duration of land use and yield per area unit, whereas no relevance was given to the quality of land use in terms of animal welfare promotion, contribution to biodiversity conservation, and maintenance of economically active social communities. Therefore, we suggest that the estimation of the impact categories related to land occupation would include aspects concerning the nature of the land

ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Salvatore Claps; Giuseppe De Rosa; Vittoria Lucia Barile; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli. Environmental impact of dairy buffalo heifers kept on pasture or in confinement. Agricultural Systems 2018, 159, 42 -49.

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Fabio Napolitano, Salvatore Claps, Giuseppe De Rosa, Vittoria Lucia Barile, Ada Braghieri, Corrado Pacelli. Environmental impact of dairy buffalo heifers kept on pasture or in confinement. Agricultural Systems. 2018; 159 ():42-49.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Salvatore Claps; Giuseppe De Rosa; Vittoria Lucia Barile; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli. 2018. "Environmental impact of dairy buffalo heifers kept on pasture or in confinement." Agricultural Systems 159, no. : 42-49.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Livestock production, particularly beef supply chain, is charged as the major contributor to green-house gas (GHG) emissions, as well as, in land degradation and deforestation. Environmental impacts per kg of edible beef, however, vary largely due to differences in beef production systems. Thus, this study aimed to compare the cradle-to-farm gate sustainability of four different Italian beef production systems, in terms of land occupation (LO, m2/year), global warming (GWP, kg CO2 -eq), water depletion (WD, m3), acidification (AP, g SO2 -eq) and eutrophication (EP, g NO3 -eq) potentials by using the LCA methodology (SimaPro 8.01 PhD, PRé Consultants). The primary data were obtained from 25 farms: 7 farms conducting cow-calf operations, with specialized beef cattle maintained on pasture and finished in confinement, (Specialized extensive, SE); 6 farms conducting high grain fattening of specialized beef breed imported calves (Fattening systems, FS); 5 farms conducting cow-calf operations, with specialized beef animals constantly kept in confinement (Cow-calf intensive; CCI); 7 farms conducting cow-calf operations, with Podolian cattle (a native breed of Southern Italy) maintained on pasture and finished in confinement, (Podolian system; PoS). The functional unit was 1 kg of live weight of marketed beef cattle. Intensive systems (i.e. CCI and FS) showed lower GWP values than systems partially based on pasture such as PoS, and even SE (17.62 ± 1.78 and 21.94 ± 1.95 kg CO2 -eq vs 26.30 ± 1.65 and 25.41 ± 1.65 kg CO2 -eq, P < 0.01, for FS, CCI, SE, and PoS, respectively). No significant effect of production system on WD was observed. Acidification potential was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by production system with the highest values observed in CCI (0.30 ± 0.02 kg SO2 -eq) compared with the other three beef production systems. As for eutrophication potential, FS and PoS tended to show lower values compared with CCI and SE systems (961.71 ± 65.30 and 779.17 ± 70.53 g NO3 -eq vs 1009.20 ± 77.27 and 1009.71 ± 65.30 g NO3 -eq, respectively; P < 0.10). Significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed for LO between the four systems (177.71 ± 20.87 and 194.43 ± 20.87 m2/year vs 40.67 ± 22.54 and 32.60 ± 23.69 m2/year, for PoS and SE vs FS and CCI, respectively). However, as diets in intensive meat systems are mainly based on cereals products that humans could consume directly, the degree of competition with human nutrition should be another feature to be considered. About this aspect, although human edible protein conversion efficiency (HEPCE) was not significantly influenced by production system, PoS showed a higher HEPCE index (0.44 ± 0.08), particularly if compared with CCI system (0.17 ± 0.09), but also in comparison with groups FS and SE (0.34 ± 0.08 and 0.39 ± 0.08, respectively). In addition, grass-based systems may provide other non-commodity outputs and non-marketable public goods services named "ecosystem services" (e.g. provision of clean drinking water, preservation and enhancement of biodiversity, conservation of cultural landscapes, contribution to the socio-economic viability of many rural areas particularly in marginal areas, enhancement of meat quality and animal welfare as perceived by consumers). The present results showed a lower impact of the intensive beef production systems in terms of GWP and LO, whereas some of them were more impactful at AP and EP levels. However, in order to achieve a more accurate estimation of the impact of the beef production chain, particularly for traditional and extensive farming systems conducted in marginal areas, such as the Podolian system, further LCA studies are needed, taking into account the allocation of their ecosystem services

ACS Style

Andrea Bragaglio; Fabio Napolitano; Corrado Pacelli; Giacomo Pirlo; Emilio Sabia; Francesco Serrapica; Maria Serrapica; Ada Braghieri. Environmental impacts of Italian beef production: A comparison between different systems. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 172, 4033 -4043.

AMA Style

Andrea Bragaglio, Fabio Napolitano, Corrado Pacelli, Giacomo Pirlo, Emilio Sabia, Francesco Serrapica, Maria Serrapica, Ada Braghieri. Environmental impacts of Italian beef production: A comparison between different systems. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 172 ():4033-4043.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Bragaglio; Fabio Napolitano; Corrado Pacelli; Giacomo Pirlo; Emilio Sabia; Francesco Serrapica; Maria Serrapica; Ada Braghieri. 2018. "Environmental impacts of Italian beef production: A comparison between different systems." Journal of Cleaner Production 172, no. : 4033-4043.

Journal article
Published: 02 November 2015 in Italian Journal of Agronomy
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The paper presents the main results of the monitoring on the effectiveness of the cross-compliance Standard 4.1 ‘Permanent pasture protection: lett. b, c’ carried out in two case studies within the project MO.NA.CO. Soil, botanical, productive and economic (competitiveness gap) parameters have been monitored. In the short term, the Standard 4.1 showed its effectiveness on soil quality, biomass productivity and competitiveness gap in both case studies. Botanical parameters showed differing results, therefore their generalization is not applicable to the heterogeneity of the pasture land Italian system. Shallow soil tillage could be suggested, every 40-50 years, when an appropriate soil organic matter content and the absence of runoff phenomena occur.

ACS Style

Mauro Salis; Lucia Sepe; Rosa Francaviglia; Marco Fedrizzi; Paolo Bazzoffi; Salvatore Claps; Maurizio Pitzalis; Michele Lilliu; Paola Ruda; Emilio Sabia; Annarita Bruno; Domenico Rufrano; Maria Teresa Dell'Abate; Alberto Alianello; Marco Veloccia; Olimpia Masetti; Gianluca Renzi; Roberto Fanigliulo; Mauro Pagano; Giulio Sperandio; Mirko Guerrieri; Daniele Puri; Antonio Melchiorre Carroni. Environmental effectiveness of GAEC cross-compliance standard 4.1 (b, c) ‘Protection of permanent pasture land’ and economic evaluation of the competitiveness gap for farmers. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2015, 10, 1 .

AMA Style

Mauro Salis, Lucia Sepe, Rosa Francaviglia, Marco Fedrizzi, Paolo Bazzoffi, Salvatore Claps, Maurizio Pitzalis, Michele Lilliu, Paola Ruda, Emilio Sabia, Annarita Bruno, Domenico Rufrano, Maria Teresa Dell'Abate, Alberto Alianello, Marco Veloccia, Olimpia Masetti, Gianluca Renzi, Roberto Fanigliulo, Mauro Pagano, Giulio Sperandio, Mirko Guerrieri, Daniele Puri, Antonio Melchiorre Carroni. Environmental effectiveness of GAEC cross-compliance standard 4.1 (b, c) ‘Protection of permanent pasture land’ and economic evaluation of the competitiveness gap for farmers. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2015; 10 (1s):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mauro Salis; Lucia Sepe; Rosa Francaviglia; Marco Fedrizzi; Paolo Bazzoffi; Salvatore Claps; Maurizio Pitzalis; Michele Lilliu; Paola Ruda; Emilio Sabia; Annarita Bruno; Domenico Rufrano; Maria Teresa Dell'Abate; Alberto Alianello; Marco Veloccia; Olimpia Masetti; Gianluca Renzi; Roberto Fanigliulo; Mauro Pagano; Giulio Sperandio; Mirko Guerrieri; Daniele Puri; Antonio Melchiorre Carroni. 2015. "Environmental effectiveness of GAEC cross-compliance standard 4.1 (b, c) ‘Protection of permanent pasture land’ and economic evaluation of the competitiveness gap for farmers." Italian Journal of Agronomy 10, no. 1s: 1.

Journal article
Published: 02 November 2015 in Italian Journal of Agronomy
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The paper presents the main results of the monitoring on the effectiveness of the cross compliance standard 4.6 ‘Minimum livestock stocking rates and/or appropriate regimes’ carried out in two case studies within the project MO.NA.CO: sheep grazing in medium-rich pastures in southern Apennines and in the plain of Sardinia, Italy. The monitoring involved aspects related to soil, flora, livestock and economics (competitiveness differential). The study showed, although in the short term, that the minimum stocking rate 0.2 LU/ha/year was not effective and, conversely, the effectiveness of the maximum level of stocking rate (4 LU/ha) for the maintenance of the habitat. The generalization in applying minimum and maximum rate, not taking into account the climatic conditions, forage resources or farming system (including the species of grazing animal) may lead to a serious nullification of the conditions of the Standard. The authors recommend to identify homogeneous areas and eligible specific stocking rates from all Italian regions, also considering the animal species.

ACS Style

Lucia Sepe; Mauro Salis; Rosa Francaviglia; Marco Fedrizzi; Antonio Melchiorre Carroni; Emilio Sabia; Annarita Bruno; Domenico Rufrano; Paola Ruda; Maria Teresa Dell'Abate; Alberto Alianello; Marco Veloccia; Olimpia Masetti; Gianluca Renzi; Roberto Fanigliulo; Mauro Pagano; Giulio Sperandio; Mirko Guerrieri; Daniele Puri; Salvatore Claps. Environmental effectiveness of the cross compliance standard 4.6 ‘Minimum livestock stocking rates and/or appropriate regimens’. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2015, 10, 1 .

AMA Style

Lucia Sepe, Mauro Salis, Rosa Francaviglia, Marco Fedrizzi, Antonio Melchiorre Carroni, Emilio Sabia, Annarita Bruno, Domenico Rufrano, Paola Ruda, Maria Teresa Dell'Abate, Alberto Alianello, Marco Veloccia, Olimpia Masetti, Gianluca Renzi, Roberto Fanigliulo, Mauro Pagano, Giulio Sperandio, Mirko Guerrieri, Daniele Puri, Salvatore Claps. Environmental effectiveness of the cross compliance standard 4.6 ‘Minimum livestock stocking rates and/or appropriate regimens’. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2015; 10 (1s):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lucia Sepe; Mauro Salis; Rosa Francaviglia; Marco Fedrizzi; Antonio Melchiorre Carroni; Emilio Sabia; Annarita Bruno; Domenico Rufrano; Paola Ruda; Maria Teresa Dell'Abate; Alberto Alianello; Marco Veloccia; Olimpia Masetti; Gianluca Renzi; Roberto Fanigliulo; Mauro Pagano; Giulio Sperandio; Mirko Guerrieri; Daniele Puri; Salvatore Claps. 2015. "Environmental effectiveness of the cross compliance standard 4.6 ‘Minimum livestock stocking rates and/or appropriate regimens’." Italian Journal of Agronomy 10, no. 1s: 1.

Journal article
Published: 02 February 2015 in Italian Journal of Agronomy
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The aim of this study, carried out within the NOVOROD project (PSR Campania 2007-2013 Misura 124 HC), was to evaluate the aromatic profile of milk and dairy products of dairy cows supplemented with destoned olive cake (DOC). Two techniques for the headspace aroma profile analysis: the thermal desorption by gas chromatography with a mass selective (GC/MS) detector and the electronic nose were compared. The trial was performed into a dairy cow farm. Ten dairy cows were allotted into two homogenous groups: control and experimental. Animals received the same diet, while in the experimental group the concentrate supplementation (15% dry matter) was replaced with DOC. After two weeks of adaptation, animals were fed with the experimental diet for other 15 days. During the experimental period, the milk was collected and cumulatively processed in Caciotta cheese (a soft cheese, 25 days ripened) and in Semicotto cheese (hard cheese, 3 months ripened) for 13 times for each group. Milk and cheese volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were extracted and concentrated with dynamic headspace method and determined by GC/MS. Statistical analysis of data, expressed in arbitrary units (a.u.=peak area × 10–6) and allotted in compound classes, was carried out by ANOVA. All data collected of VOCs were processed with principal component analysis (PCA). Milk and cheese samples were comparatively analysed with the electronic nose, fitted with a tenmetal oxide sensors electronic device. PCA has been used for the evaluation of the pattern data. Our results show that the use of DOC, as an unconventional feed for livestock, has no effect on the aromatic profile of both milk and dairy products. In fact, no significant differences were found in both milk and dairy products between the two groups using the GC/MS method. Also the discriminating analysis carried out by electronic nose did not show significant differences between the two groups. The two compared techniques seem to lead to the same result.

ACS Style

Anna Rocchina Caputo; Giuseppe Morone; Maria Antonietta Di Napoli; Domenico Rufrano; Emilio Sabia; Francesco Paladino; Lucia Sepe; Salvatore Claps. Effect of destoned olive cake on the aromatic profile of cows’ milk and dairy products: comparison of two techniques for the headspace aroma profile analysis. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2015, 10, 15 -20.

AMA Style

Anna Rocchina Caputo, Giuseppe Morone, Maria Antonietta Di Napoli, Domenico Rufrano, Emilio Sabia, Francesco Paladino, Lucia Sepe, Salvatore Claps. Effect of destoned olive cake on the aromatic profile of cows’ milk and dairy products: comparison of two techniques for the headspace aroma profile analysis. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2015; 10 (1):15-20.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Rocchina Caputo; Giuseppe Morone; Maria Antonietta Di Napoli; Domenico Rufrano; Emilio Sabia; Francesco Paladino; Lucia Sepe; Salvatore Claps. 2015. "Effect of destoned olive cake on the aromatic profile of cows’ milk and dairy products: comparison of two techniques for the headspace aroma profile analysis." Italian Journal of Agronomy 10, no. 1: 15-20.

Journal article
Published: 02 February 2015 in Italian Journal of Agronomy
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Emilio Sabia; Salvatore Claps; Giuseppe Morone; Annarita Bruno; Lucia Sepe; Riccardo Aleandri. Field inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhiza on maize (Zea mays L.) under low inputs: preliminary study on quantitative and qualitative aspects. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2015, 10, 30 .

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Salvatore Claps, Giuseppe Morone, Annarita Bruno, Lucia Sepe, Riccardo Aleandri. Field inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhiza on maize (Zea mays L.) under low inputs: preliminary study on quantitative and qualitative aspects. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2015; 10 (1):30.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Salvatore Claps; Giuseppe Morone; Annarita Bruno; Lucia Sepe; Riccardo Aleandri. 2015. "Field inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhiza on maize (Zea mays L.) under low inputs: preliminary study on quantitative and qualitative aspects." Italian Journal of Agronomy 10, no. 1: 30.

Book chapter
Published: 01 January 2015 in The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin
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Life cycle assessment (LCA) is currently one of the most widely used methods for assessing the environmental impacts and performance of livestock products. According to this procedure, intensification of animal production is generally advocated to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions compared with extensive grazing systems due to the use of selected breeds, with enhanced productivity, and the significant reductions in CH4 emissions consequent to the use of concentrates rather than forages. In addition, the impact of intensive systems on land use is much lower. However, free-ranging Podolian cattle show a number of positive environmental effects, such as increased climate stability, improved soil functionality, water quality and footprint and preservation from fires along with maintaining an economically active social community in otherwise unproductive, marginal areas. Other beneficial effects of extensive Podolian farming system include low competition with human nutrition and high level of animal health and welfare. An economic evaluation of these non-commodity outputs should be indirectly estimated by the avoided costs (e.g. reduced veterinary interventions and therapy treatments) or the lack of profits (e.g. direct payments for the enhancement of environmental performance) that would have incurred in their absence. These economic evaluations should be used in order to allocate them as further outputs to be included in the LCA in order to achieve a more accurate estimation of the impact of the Podolian farming system.

ACS Style

Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli; Andrea Bragaglio; Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano. The Hidden Costs of Livestock Environmental Sustainability: The Case of Podolian Cattle. The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin 2015, 47 -56.

AMA Style

Ada Braghieri, Corrado Pacelli, Andrea Bragaglio, Emilio Sabia, Fabio Napolitano. The Hidden Costs of Livestock Environmental Sustainability: The Case of Podolian Cattle. The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin. 2015; ():47-56.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli; Andrea Bragaglio; Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano. 2015. "The Hidden Costs of Livestock Environmental Sustainability: The Case of Podolian Cattle." The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin , no. : 47-56.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2015 in Small Ruminant Research
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E. Sabia; S. Claps; F. Napolitano; G. Annicchiarico; A. Bruno; R. Francaviglia; L. Sepe; R. Aleandri. In vivo digestibility of two different forage species inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhiza in Mediterranean red goats. Small Ruminant Research 2015, 123, 83 -87.

AMA Style

E. Sabia, S. Claps, F. Napolitano, G. Annicchiarico, A. Bruno, R. Francaviglia, L. Sepe, R. Aleandri. In vivo digestibility of two different forage species inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhiza in Mediterranean red goats. Small Ruminant Research. 2015; 123 (1):83-87.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Sabia; S. Claps; F. Napolitano; G. Annicchiarico; A. Bruno; R. Francaviglia; L. Sepe; R. Aleandri. 2015. "In vivo digestibility of two different forage species inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhiza in Mediterranean red goats." Small Ruminant Research 123, no. 1: 83-87.

Book chapter
Published: 01 January 2015 in The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin
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Buffalo farming is a dairy enterprise emerging in Italy and other European and non-European countries due to the progressive saturation of the dairy market, which requires product diversification. As a response to the increasing demand for dairy buffalo products, most farms are undertaking a progressive intensification of rearing techniques. In particular, feeding rely on different rations according to the physiological stage of the animals. Buffalo heifers are generally offered a total mixed ration based on corn silage and ryegrass hay, which require high amounts of water, chemical fertilisers and fossil fuel. Additionally, lactating buffaloes receive concentrates with an even higher environmental impact, whereas more fibrous feeds are used in the dry period. Although the emission factors for enteric fermentation and manure management in buffaloes appear to be 38.4 % and 20.5 % less than in dairy cows, respectively, the contribution of dairy buffalo farms to global warming has been estimated as higher than that produced by dairy cow farms. Therefore, studies are needed to assess the general environmental impact of this species and identify alternative environmental friendly rearing techniques.

ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Salvatore Claps; Ada Braghieri; Nicoletta Piazzolla; Corrado Pacelli. Feeding, Nutrition and Sustainability in Dairy Enterprises: The Case of Mediterranean Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin 2015, 57 -64.

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Fabio Napolitano, Salvatore Claps, Ada Braghieri, Nicoletta Piazzolla, Corrado Pacelli. Feeding, Nutrition and Sustainability in Dairy Enterprises: The Case of Mediterranean Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin. 2015; ():57-64.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Salvatore Claps; Ada Braghieri; Nicoletta Piazzolla; Corrado Pacelli. 2015. "Feeding, Nutrition and Sustainability in Dairy Enterprises: The Case of Mediterranean Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)." The Sustainability of Agro-Food and Natural Resource Systems in the Mediterranean Basin , no. : 57-64.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2014 in Animal
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In order to evaluate the influence of rearing system (free-ranging (FR) v. confinement (C)) on buffalo heifer efficiency to reach age of puberty and on behavioural and immune functions, two experiments were conducted from September 2010 to October 2011. In Experiment I, 32 subjects aged 8 to 9 months at the start of experiment were used. A total of 16 animals (group C) were group housed in an indoor slatted floor pen (4 m2/animal) with an outdoor paddock (4 m2/animal); 16 others grazed on a Mediterranean natural pasture of 40 ha (group FR). Behavioural data were collected and organic matter digestibility, blood metabolites and progesterone were determined. At the end of the experiment, a novel object test and a skin test were conducted, and the avoidance distance (AD) at the manger was measured. Free-ranging animals were able to express natural behaviours such as wallowing and grazing. C animals devoted more time to the novel object than FR animals, whereas AD at manger was lower in group FR than in group C (P<0.01). Cellular immune response was higher in FR heifers than in C animals (P<0.01). FR animals also showed a higher digestibility of organic matter (P<0.01). Heifers from group FR had higher plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (P<0.001) and lower concentrations of glucose than heifers from group C (P<0.001). C animals showed higher daily weight gains (P<0.01) and weight at the puberty (P<0.05), but there were no differences in terms of age of puberty between the two groups. The intakes of dry matter (DM), CP and energy to reach the age of puberty were similar in both groups. In order to verify whether the results obtained in Experiment I could be replicated in different rearing conditions (reduced pasture availability, different location and altitude), a second experiment was conducted on 26 animals, where only onset of age of puberty and metabolic profile were monitored. In Experiment II, 13 heifers grazed on a natural pasture of 5 ha, other 13 received the same space as indicated for Experiment I. Results from Experiment II generally confirmed those of Experiment I. Only the intakes of DM and energy to reach the age of puberty were higher in group C than in FR (P<0.001). A lower competition with human nutrition, reproductive performances similar to those shown by confined animals and the indications given by immune and behavioural variables, suggest that a free-range-based system may be conveniently used for buffalo heifer farming purposes.

ACS Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Giuseppe De Rosa; G.M. Terzano; V.L. Barile; Ada Braghieri; C. Pacelli. Efficiency to reach age of puberty and behaviour of buffalo heifers (Bubalus bubalis) kept on pasture or in confinement. Animal 2014, 8, 1907 -1916.

AMA Style

Emilio Sabia, Fabio Napolitano, Giuseppe De Rosa, G.M. Terzano, V.L. Barile, Ada Braghieri, C. Pacelli. Efficiency to reach age of puberty and behaviour of buffalo heifers (Bubalus bubalis) kept on pasture or in confinement. Animal. 2014; 8 (11):1907-1916.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emilio Sabia; Fabio Napolitano; Giuseppe De Rosa; G.M. Terzano; V.L. Barile; Ada Braghieri; C. Pacelli. 2014. "Efficiency to reach age of puberty and behaviour of buffalo heifers (Bubalus bubalis) kept on pasture or in confinement." Animal 8, no. 11: 1907-1916.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2007 in Italian Journal of Animal Science
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The aim of this study was describing the chemical composition, the rheological characteristics and the sensory properties of “mozzarella” cheese produced with milk from buffalos fed with different diets. The study involved two farms and four feeding systems. In farm C, one group was mostly fed with Ryegrass Hay (RH) and the other group with Ryegrass Silage (RS). In farm T, instead, one group was mostly fed with Corn Silage (CS) and the other one with a Sorghum Silage (SS). In summer, three cheesemakings, for each farm and for each feeding system, were carried out at C.R.A. of Bella. In each farm, data were processed by the analysis of variance in order to compare the effects of two feeding systems. Some parameters of chemical and texture characteristics and sensory properties were influenced by the feeding system. Results were remarkable for the DOP products.

ACS Style

Salvatore Claps; M. Pizzillo; E. Agoglia; M.V. Schettino; E. Sabia; R. Rubino. Chemical and texture characteristics and sensory properties of “mozzarella” cheese from different feeding systems. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2007, 6, 1143 -1146.

AMA Style

Salvatore Claps, M. Pizzillo, E. Agoglia, M.V. Schettino, E. Sabia, R. Rubino. Chemical and texture characteristics and sensory properties of “mozzarella” cheese from different feeding systems. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2007; 6 (sup2):1143-1146.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Salvatore Claps; M. Pizzillo; E. Agoglia; M.V. Schettino; E. Sabia; R. Rubino. 2007. "Chemical and texture characteristics and sensory properties of “mozzarella” cheese from different feeding systems." Italian Journal of Animal Science 6, no. sup2: 1143-1146.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2007 in Italian Journal of Animal Science
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Buffalo intensive husbandry represents the most lucrative dairy activity in Campania Region. The main forage crop system used in this area are based on winter Italian reygrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and spring corn (Zea mays L.). The continuous growing of this crops stressed the soil with a consequent reduction of yield potential. The experiment aimed to assess the agronomic and nutritive feeding value of Italian ryegrasscorn vs other cropping systems (models) based on double rotated legumes and graminaceous crops grown under irrigated and rainfed water supply.

ACS Style

P. Martiniello; G. Gesualdo; E. Sabia; G.M. Terzano; C. Pacelli; N. Berardo. Intensive rainfed and irrigated forage crop production for MediterraneanItalian Buffalo feeding. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2007, 6, 1226 -1229.

AMA Style

P. Martiniello, G. Gesualdo, E. Sabia, G.M. Terzano, C. Pacelli, N. Berardo. Intensive rainfed and irrigated forage crop production for MediterraneanItalian Buffalo feeding. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2007; 6 (sup2):1226-1229.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Martiniello; G. Gesualdo; E. Sabia; G.M. Terzano; C. Pacelli; N. Berardo. 2007. "Intensive rainfed and irrigated forage crop production for MediterraneanItalian Buffalo feeding." Italian Journal of Animal Science 6, no. sup2: 1226-1229.