Nutrition of indigenous breeds of domestic animals in sustainable farming systems

In sustainable livestock development systems, priority is given to autochthonous species and breeds of domestic animals because they are primarily the product of specific conditions: climatic, historical, economic, and on the other hand, they are resistant to diseases and have a longer useful life. Indigenous breeds are formed in a specific geographical area and are adapted to the living conditions of that area. In Serbia, we have several indigenous breeds of cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry that are adapted to the climatic conditions of traditional breeding in this area. On the other hand, under the pressure of society and the agricultural community itself, the production of animal-derived food is moving towards a production system that includes better treatment and welfare of animals, takes care of our, but also environmental resources, and at the same time results in products that do not contain unwanted chemical residues. The first significant consumer demand for organically produced food appeared in the mid-20th century, parallel to the promotion of organic gardens. Indigenous breeds that are effectively raised in various ecosystems (forests, pastures) combined with food production for their nutrition not only bring the possibility of preserving the genetic resources of these animals but also an economically favorable environment for profit generation and profitable production. This paper presents the botanical composition of plants in pastures in the municipality of Dimitrovgrad, Serbia, as an important resource and nutritional strategy for feeding indigenous breeds of animals. Returning to traditional methods of breeding and grazing sheep and cattle would contribute not only to the restoration of plant species and increasing their survival capacity but also to increasing the number of domestic indigenous animal species from these areas. Additionally, traditional breeding of domestic pigs in forests and on the banks of lowland rivers is one of the systems that deserve attention when it comes to preserving endangered indigenous breeds.