Alla ricerca delle razze bovine e ovicaprine in Italia nell'Otto-Novecento: zootecnici, allevatori, istituzioni

This study examines the evolution of the selection and classification of bovine and ovicaprine breeds in Italy from Unification to the twentieth century, highlighting the crucial role played by scholars, breeders, and institutions in livestock improvement. From the nineteenth century onward, genetic enhancement and breed specialization became central objectives, driven by the increasing demand for animal products, the development of zootechnical literature, and the adoption of scientific tools for characterizing livestock populations. However, the sector faced significant challenges, including dependence on imports of high-quality livestock and organizational fragmentation. To address these issues, control and selection tools such as herd books and production registers were introduced, although official statistics were slow to recognize the diversity of national livestock breeds. Nevertheless, the analysis shows that, throughout the twentieth century, Italian animal husbandry gradually moved away from traditional breeding models in favor of a more rational and standardized approach, outlining a modernization process that redefined the management and valorization of domestic breeds.