The long-term goal for the implementation of the present plan is to achieve precise genetic improvement of the beneficiaries’ animals by 2026 and concurrently significant increase in farm productivity, mainly in terms of milk production. The strategy of this plan includes four (4) main implementation pillars.

Pillar 1: It will be implemented in 2023 and aims to support sheep and/or goat farmers for (A) the targeted upgrade of farm equipment and (B) the creation and regular updating of digital data files per animal and the utilization of this data to achieve increased farm productivity. It also aims to support the compilation and digital enrichment of pedigree archives for the beneficiary’s animals. The maximum subsidy amount per beneficiary is €49 700 for Pillar 1A (aid intensity equal to 65% of the total investment). The maximum subsidy amount per beneficiary is €7 800 for Pillar 1B (100% aid intensity for all beneficiaries).

Pillar 2: It will be implemented between 2023 and 2026 and aims to subsidize collection of individual sheep or goat milk samples and characterization of milk quality on the maximum possible number of animals, so that the available approved annual amount is fully utilized. The number of animals sampled per farmer should not be less than 150 per year. Two (2) milk samples per month will be collected annually for the first three (3) months of milk production of each animal and concurrently individual milk yield will be recorded for each animal. Individual milk sample analysis shall provide results on fat, protein and lactose content, total solids and somatic cell count. The maximum total subsidy amount for Pillar 2 is €30 260 per beneficiary (€7 565 per year), with an aid intensity of 70% of the total analysis costs.

Pillars 3 and 4: These pillars concern beneficiary service provision by the implementation body (ARI), with all associated costs covered in full (100%) for all beneficiaries. Pillar 3 aims at the genetic evaluations of sheep and goats that will participate in the project in order to enable animal genomic improvement and overall increase in farm productivity. In total, by the end of the project in 2026, the genomic breeding values for at least 15000 animals from all beneficiary units shall be determined. For this purpose, individual data analysis will be combined with animal genetic sampling and genomic analysis. All Pillar 3 activities will be conducted by ARI staff. Within Pillar 4, ARI shall provide advisory services to beneficiaries on best practices for data recording and the selection of individuals for breeding, in order to maximize farm-level milk production and improve overall livestock management.

Further Details:

Guide 3.1_R3_final_new_legal_basis_20230306

Guide of Genetic Improvement _C3.1R3_final_new_legal_basis_20230306