SCDCB Dancu Iași seeks to participate as a partner in transnational consortia within AGROECOLOGY – Topic 1, with a specific focus on the conservation, functional characterisation and agroecological valorisation of endangered local cattle breeds, particularly the Romanian Gray Steppe (Sură de stepă).

The Romanian Gray Steppe is a historically significant cattle breed currently classified as endangered. It has evolved under extensive, low-input production systems, showing high adaptability to harsh climatic conditions, limited feed availability and marginal grasslands. The breed is characterised by robustness, longevity, reproductive efficiency and resilience to environmental stressors such as drought, temperature fluctuations and disease pressure, making it well suited to sustainable and agroecological livestock systems.

As an important animal genetic resource, the Romanian Gray Steppe can contribute substantially to climate adaptation strategies, biodiversity conservation and food security. Its ability to efficiently utilise marginal pastures supports traditional farming practices and local rural economies, while offering solutions for resilient, low-input and environmentally friendly livestock production systems.

SCDCB Dancu can contribute to consortia through:
• in situ conservation of the Romanian Gray Steppe breed;
• access to experimental and commercial herds managed under extensive or semi-extensive conditions;
• collection and provision of phenotypic, productive, reproductive and management-related data;
• participation in Living Lab approaches, including real-farm conditions and long-term monitoring;
• expertise in cattle husbandry, nutrition, animal performance evaluation and breed conservation.

SCDCB Dancu is interested in collaboration with universities, research institutes and applied research organisations addressing AGROECOLOGY Topic 1, with particular relevance to:
• Subtopic 1.1: Enhancing the use of genotypes adapted to specific environmental conditions;
• Subtopic 1.3: Animal breeding for agroecological transitions.

Through active participation in international consortia, SCDCB Dancu aims to facilitate the integration of local genetic resources into sustainable livestock systems, improve resilience and productivity, enhance biodiversity, and contribute empirical data from Eastern Europe, a region that remains underrepresented in large-scale European research initiatives. This contribution will support evidence-based policies and the development of agroecological livestock systems aligned with climate resilience, animal welfare and reduced dependency on external inputs.

Dancu Cattle Breeding Research and Development Station (SCDCB Dancu Iași) is a public research unit operating under the coordination of the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences “Gheorghe Ionescu-Șișești” (ASAS), Romania.

The main mission of SCDCB Dancu is applied research and development in cattle breeding, with a strong emphasis on:
• conservation and sustainable use of local and endangered cattle breeds;
• improvement of cattle production systems under Romanian pedo-climatic conditions;
• applied research in animal nutrition, reproduction, management and welfare;
• transfer of research results to practice.

A central activity of the SCDCB Dancu is the dedicated conservation of the Romanian Gray Steppe (Sură de stepă), recognized as one of the oldest and most valuable indigenous cattle breeds in Romania. Currently classified as endangered, this breed plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and cultural heritage.
The conservation efforts are conducted in situ, allowing the cattle to thrive in their natural habitat, and are meticulously monitored under authentic farming conditions. This approach not only fosters the sustainability of the breed but also establishes a robust framework for Living Lab-type research, which is highly pertinent to agroecology.
SCDCB Dancu manages a diverse portfolio of experimental herds and extensive agricultural land, enabling long-term observation of key factors such as animal performance, adaptability, and resilience in low-input, extensive farming systems. This unique setting provides valuable data and insights that can inform best practices in sustainable agricultural methods.
As a result, SCDCB Dancu positions itself as a highly suitable partner for collaborative European research projects aimed at facilitating agroecological transitions in livestock management, contributing to the welfare of both the animals and the ecosystem they inhabit.