Bovine Milk in Andean Peru: The Need of an Observational Study to Assess Regional Bovine Genetics

Abstract

Andean Peru comprises 63.9% of total Peruvian agro-producers who own 73.2% of the total Bovidae taxa in Peru. Moreover, milk production in Andean Peru has been noted to be linked to poverty and thus malnourishment. An observational study is urged to assess bovine genetics and direct programs of genetic improvement to increase both the income for the farmers and availability of the produce at lower prices for the general consumer. Definitions for “Puro”, Pure-By-Crossing, Crossing, “Criollo” and “Chusco” cattle are given as the putative prevalent categories of bovines in the Andean Region and in other regions where the methodology might be suitable. Definitions clarify and challenge actual constructions coherently supporting descriptive research. Insights for “Criollo” cattle are presented with case-specimens dating back many generations of crossings; such observations provide clues for domesticates genetic conservation in spite of the prevalent exhaustive artificial selection. Ad hoc approaches to the level of the land of an agro-producer are suggested, such initiatives are hypothesized to require much more scientific background, resulting in more satisfactory results.