CLIMALAT – A gentle response to climate change.
Coordinated by Assegnatari Associati Arborea and funded through Submeasure 16.2 of the 2014–2020 Rural Development Program, the project involved an extensive network of farms in the Arborea area, collecting a large amount of data at the animal, facility, and territorial levels.
Carried out in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Sassari, CLIMALAT followed three main lines of research:
- Management: analysis of climatic and structural data of the farms to identify new practices in managing the micro-climate in the barn.
- Genetics: collection of genomic and phenotypic indicators from dairy cows to feed into national genetic selection programs.
- Nutrition: development of new nutritional indicators based on milk fat composition.
In parallel, the project also tested innovative methods for controlling harmful insects in maize, contributing to a more sustainable silage production — fermented and preserved forage used for feeding dairy cows — that is more resilient to environmental stress.
CLIMALAT is not just a research project — it is a tangible demonstration of how Arborea approaches every climate challenge with a spirit of cooperation and a forward-looking vision, investing in precision livestock farming to enhance milk quality and animal welfare.
FAQs
Why is heat stress important in cows?
Because, just like us, cows suffer from high temperatures. When it’s too hot, their well-being declines, they eat less, produce less milk, and its quality also declines. CLIMALAT was created to understand what actions can be taken to improve the microclimate in the barn and ensure comfort and health, especially for pregnant cows, which are responsible for the milk of tomorrow.
How did you measure heat stress?
We collected data over 30 months, observing temperature, humidity, and ventilation in the barns, as well as the cows’ behavior and physiology. All of this was compared with genetic and nutritional data to understand which solutions were most effective in reducing stress.
What does “precision livestock farming” mean?
It’s a more attentive way of farming, combining scientific knowledge, technology, and animal welfare. With CLIMALAT, this approach has allowed us to develop new, customized management practices that improve the animals’ lives and milk quality, with tangible benefits for the entire supply chain.
What is the link between insects, corn, and heat stress?
Corn is a fundamental component of cow feed. But heatwaves encourage the proliferation of harmful insects that compromise its quality. CLIMALAT has experimented with new techniques to control these insects, making silage production more sustainable, healthy, and resilient.
What are the benefits for the future?
CLIMALAT isn’t just a response to heatwaves: it’s a model of cooperation between science and the local community, focusing on animal welfare and sustainability. The data collected will feed national genetic selection programs, helping build stronger, more resilient, and responsible livestock farming.
Sustainability
Sustainability is not just an opportunity, but a duty and a mission.
Combining economic objectives with environmental and social ones is a choice that represents the Company’s concrete commitment to achieving the common well-being of the community.