Today several grey cattle populations, which are managed by different breeding organizations, exist in the Alps. As the breeding of Swiss grey cattle was re-established only in 1985 using animals from the Tyrolean grey cattle breed, it is unclear whether the current Swiss grey cattle populations can be genetically distinguished from the Tyrolean grey cattle. In order to address this question, representative samples of 50 animals each from the following populations shall be investigated:
1. Rätisches Grauvieh (dual purpose)
2. Schweizer Braunvieh, Sektion Grauvieh (dairy/dual purpose))
3. Mutterkuh Schweiz, Rassenclub Grauvieh (beef)
4. Tyrolean grey cattle
5. Original Swiss Brown cattle
The 250 animals required for this project shall be genotyped at 54‘000 markers (SNPs) equally spaced throughout the genome. These highly informative genotype data will then be subjected to a cluster analysis using several different computer programs. The results of these analyses will show whether the above mentioned populations are genetically discernible. This project thus shall yield a scientific basis for political funding decisions regarding the conservation of endangered cattle breeds or the biodiversity in general.