Contributions to More Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Cattle Production: Study of Performance of Galloway and Highland Breeds in Transylvania, Romania

Sustainable and climate-resilient livestock systems are increasingly necessary to balance food production demands with environmental conservation. Breeds such as Galloway (Ga) and Highland (Hi) cattle are recognized for their adaptability to extensive grazing systems, low input requirements, and ability to thrive on marginal lands. Despite their potential, research on the performance of Ga and Hi cattle in low-resource, extensive grazing systems, particularly in Romania, remains scarce. This study evaluated the performance of Ga and Hi beef cattle raised under low-input conditions with a focus on the following: (1) the average daily gain (ADG) on low- and medium-quality forage and (2) the cattle's adaptability to extensive grazing systems. The study, conducted at Cojocna Farm, Transylvania, Romania (2023-2024), involved five male and three female calves from each breed. Calves were weighed five times in the entire observation period, and feed quality was analyzed. The results showed that Ga calves, especially males, had a higher ADG than Hi calves (Ga = 676.91 g, Hi = 581.14 g), while females showed more consistent performance during winter feeding. Both breeds demonstrated strong adaptability and satisfactory performance under the extensive conditions of Transylvania, as evidenced by the comparison of the obtained ADG with the values provided by the National Breed Register. Future research should explore the long-term sustainability of these breeds in varying environmental conditions, to investigate genetic factors influencing performance, and assess the broader ecological and economic benefits of integrating Galloway and Highland cattle into diverse farming systems.