 In 1979 , the Piedmontese Breeding Co @-@ operative , Ltd. of Saskatchewan , Canada ( PBL Co @-@ op of Canada ) began preparations to import the first Piedmontese cattle into North America . There had been prior attempts at importation of the breed by the PBL Co @-@ op of Canada and other cattle breeders , but until that time the Italian Association , comprising small local farmers who wanted to maintain control of this unique gene pool , were reluctant to sell any of their purebred breeding stock . Another obstacle to overcome was the range of health protocols required for international shipping . The first successful importation occurred in the fall of 1979 with the arrival of five animals into Canada . Obtaining authorization and transfers to import the first five animals was the culmination of a half decade of effort , the cost of which is estimated at $ 100 @,@ 000 per animal based on 2014 values . The following year , Canada received more Italian imports of Piedmontese cattle , including five more bulls . The next year , Italian imports arrived in the US , including three additional sire lines and two cows . It was from that genetic base that the North American breed of Piedmontese cattle first began . In 1983 , the Canadian Piedmontese Association ( CPA ) was formed , followed by the Piedmontese Association of the United States ( PAUS ) in 1984 . By the 1990s , imports of semen and embryos were more substantial . Today there are several bloodlines available to cattle raisers in North America . 
