The University of Sassari (UNISS) was founded in 1562. Today, it has >13000 students and ~650 researchers and professors, offering >60 degree programs and 12 doctoral programs. It ranks second among Italian universities in terms of international students and staff exchange programs. The research of this project will be led by the Department of Agricultural Sciences, which includes 82 professors/researchers, 75 postdocs, 50 PhD students, and 53 technical staff. It manages 3 agricultural farms, one of which includes a sheep and goat experimental research and teaching barn. The Department is the main partner of the Interdepartmental Center for the Conservation and Enhancement of Plant Biodiversity, the Desertification Research Center, and the Interdepartmental Center “Innovative Agriculture”. Several research groups of the Department are involved in agro-pastoralist activities, forage and pasture management, and nutrition and feeding of grazing animals.
