Abstract submission deadline: January 31, 2025
Early bird fees until March 14, 2025
We are excited to invite you to the “Mountain Grassland and Livestock Joint Conference”. Exchange on mountain farming, share your knowledge, develop new ideas and get in contact with well-known and new colleagues in the fields of mountain grasslands and livestock research. Participants can look forward to engaging presentations, Swiss specialties (not only cheese and chocolate, but also a great social dinner) and an enriching excursion in breathtaking landscapes. Join us to connect with experts, explore innovative solutions, and contribute to the sustainable future of mountain ecosystems.
organized by
Wednesday 14th, 16:00 – 18:00
Domestication, Evolution and Biodiversity
Thursday 15th, 9:00 – 10:30
Health and Ageing
Thursday 15th, 11:00 – 13:00
Poster session
Thursday 15th, 14:30 – 16:00
Behaviour, cognition, and pet-human interaction
Thursday 15th, 16:30 – 18:00
Legislation
Friday 16th, 8:30 – 10:30
Pedigrees and population management
Friday 16th, 11:00 – 12:30
Motivations and trends in pet ownership
Friday 16th, 14:00 – 16:15
Nutrition
Friday 16th, 16:45 – 18:00
Morphology, Breeds
(Swedish Defense Research Institute, Sweden)
On the necessity and impossibility of breeding working dogs
(Animal Welfare Unit in the Health and Food Safety Directorate General of the EC, Belgium)
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability
(The Kennel Club, United Kingdom)
The Kennel Club’s Efforts in Managing Pedigree Dog Breeds: Strategies for Long-Term Sustainability
(University of Bern, Switzerland)
Genomic technologies and their application to combat hereditary diseases in dogs
(University of Missouri, USA)
Cats are not small dogs; dogs are not big cats!
(Tor Vergata University, Italy)
An ancient DNA perspective on the origins and spread of domestic cats in Europe
(Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom)
Diseased by design or fit to function? Using scientifically informed selection to breed the companion dogs of the future
(University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
Why do people have dogs, cats and other companion animals?
(Free University of Berlin, Germany)
Alternative proteins in canine nutrition
Plantahof, Landquart, Switzerland – Kantonsstrasse 17, 7302 Landquart, Switzerland
The conference will take place in Landquart, a small city surrounded by the scenic mountains of the Eastern Swiss Alps. The region around Landquart is a great local recreation area that promises a variety of nature experiences: not only high mountains with a long alpine farming tradition, but also vineyards with excellent wines and fine hiking trails. Thanks to good transport links, the region’s world-famous spa and sports resorts are also easily accessible. The venue – Plantahof – is a newly renovated stately building from the early 19th century, which today houses the agricultural school of the Canton of Grisons.
Milan Central Station, then taxi to the hotel (20 minutes).
Second option: from Milan Central Station take the Metro Green Line M2, direction Abbiategrasso and: 1) get off after 10 stops at the Famagosta, catch the bus n. 95 direction Rogoredo and get off after 4 stops and then walking 9 minutes to the hotel; 2) get off at the last station Abbiategrasso and walking 20 minutes to the hotel.
20 min by car or Taxi (13 Km).
Alternatively: 1) take the Metro Blu Line M4 for 7 stops and get off at San Babila; 2) take the Metro Red Line M1, direction Bisceglie, for 4 stops and get off at Cadorna FS; 3) take the Metro Green Line M2, direction Abbiategrasso: a) get off after 10 stops at the Famagosta, then catch the bus n. 95 direction Rogoredo, get off after 4 stops and walking 9 minutes to the hotel; b) get off at the last station Abbiategrasso and walking 20 minutes to the hotel.
50 min by car or Taxi (63 Km)
Alternatively: by train “Milano express” from T1-T2 to Milan Cadorna Station, then taxi to the hotel (16 minutes). Second option: from Milan Cadorna Station take the Metro Green Line M2, direction Abbiategrasso and: 1) get off after 5 stops at the Famagosta, catch the bus n. 95 direction Rogoredo and get off after 4 stops and then walking 9 minutes to the hotel; 2) get off at the last station Abbiategrasso and walking 20 minutes to the hotel.
50 min by car or Taxi (60 Km).
Alternatively: by bus Terravision to Milan Central Station, then taxi to the hotel (20 minutes). Second option: from Milan Central Station take the Metro Green Line M2, direction Abbiategrasso and: 1) get off after 10 stops at the Famagosta, catch the bus n. 95 direction Rogoredo and get off after 4 stops and then walking 9 minutes to the hotel; 2) get off at the last station Abbiategrasso and walking 20 minutes to the hotel.
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Secretary-General for both the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) and the World Association for Animal Production (WAAP).
Andrea holds degrees in Animal Sciences from the University of Perugia (Italy) and advanced qualifications, including an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Genetics from the University of Nebraska (USA). He began his career at the Italian Association of Animal Breeders, later becoming National Technical Manager. He also led the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) for 11 years. Andrea has coordinated two EU-funded research projects and contributed to over 20 others. He co-founded four animal science journals and has lectured in over 40 countries. He is also author of numerous research articles and dissemination pieces, in addition to writing book chapters centered on animal science. His work spans animal production, genetics, and sustainability, with a strong focus on global collaboration.
