"The introduction of a quota system has a large impact on the development of the agricultural sector, the agro-business and individual farms. In April 2004 the Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries entering the EU had to implement a quota system for milk. It requires institution building, setting up administrative procedures, choices of the system, choice of priority groups, handling of butterfat reference, dealing with a national reserve, control aspects, quota transfer, farm management aspects and communication to farmers. All early attention at national levels has been given to the administrative aspects of milk quota systems. Communication to farmers about the system and the effects on farm management is often neglected. This publication hopes to fill this gap and wants to stimulate attention on farm management and extension efforts. It presents an overview of papers from ""old"" countries and country reports from new EU countries. They all contain information about expected structural changes due to the quota system, effects on farm management, extension needs in this area and challenges in years ahead. Impressions from 7 other CEE non EU countries are also included. This book gives an extensive and unique overview of the dairy situation in the Central and Eastern European countries in the year of the enlargement of the EU and a view into the future in this regard."

The past decade has revealed unfavourable trends in e.g. fertility, udder health and locomotion in some major dairy cattle breeds due to a large increase in production and insufficient consideration of functional traits in the breeding goals. Such unfavourable trends in some functional traits increase costs. Additionally, the enlargement of herds leads to less available labour time per individual cow. This asks for cows that are easy to handle. At the same time, society is demanding a higher welfare standard of animals. These contradicting developments have increased the desire for so called more robust animals. Robustness can be defined as 'the ability to maintain homeostasis in commonly accepted and sustainable herds of the near future'; or 'the ability of the cow to function well in the environment she lives in as well as in a wide range of climates and production systems'. This book contains a series of articles (26) dealing with the concept of robustness, including aspects like evolution, genetics, environment, animal health and welfare, and integrity. Besides the major functional traits also the links to energy balance, hot climatic conditions, and the attitude and input of stakeholders towards robustness as part of the breeding program are discussed. This book is the first attempt to summarise the available knowledge concerning this topic in cattle, making this book unique. The contributions are from authors of 16 countries from all over the world. However, the focus is presently on farm animal level, while in future robustness of the whole production system may also require additional attention.

The new Common Agricultural Policy, launched in 2003 and implemented since 2005, appears as a big change mainly due to the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme and the decoupling of subsidies from production. EU beef production is one of the sectors mostly affected by the existing CAP regulations. This book addresses what the impact could be on the future of European beef farming systems and in what ways could beef farmers adapt in order to ensure the sustainability of their farms. Within the Cattle Network Working Group of EAAP, a group of European economists, The Beef Task Force, composed of experts and researchers from a number of EU countries, engaged in a common project with the object of monitoring and developing studies on policy impact and farm strategy analysis. The BTF joined national studies into a common report, which is divided into four parts: the current picture of beef farming systems in Europe; CAP implementation at national level; first impact of reformed CAP on farming systems; future evolution of European beef production and land use. This book highlights disparities in CAP implementation and presents the main developments regarding EU beef farming systems: size increase, farm/regional specialization, adaptation to market requirements and, eventually, social expectations. It is of interest to policy makers and all those who concern themselves with the cattle industry.