In spite pof losses suffered in the last decades, the "Mirandesa" cattle breed still plays an important economic and social role and the carcass is famous for the quality of the "posta mirandesa", a very appreciated dish by the rich gastronomy of Portugal. The area studied is the highlands of Northeast of Portugal (Trás-os-Montes) which range from 700 to 1000 metres. The farming systems adopted by farmers are very low intensity animal production systems and the meat of the "Mirandesa" cattle breed has benn marketed as PDO since 1996, within the meaning of the EU rules adopted under the reform of the CAP. This paper reveals the results of soft systems approach to the farmers of the "Professional Association of Mirandesa Breed" which present a diversity of characteristics in what is referred to the types of family-farm systems, sources of family income, level of education and vocational training, animal management practices and supply chains of "Mirandesa" calves
