Conservation of Local Livestock Breeds

Environmental Issues A small number of species are domesticated and used for animal production : only 14 species for 90 % of the total production. Among these species, the number of breeds and of lineages are declining. But the environment is often submitted to changes. Some breeds appearing to be well adapted to environment now may be inadapted to new conditions in the future. It is very important to protect and keep available traditional breeds not very used presently. They migh be a resource of genes for future selection works, with objectives of adaptation to adverse condition, disease tolerance, etc. Biodiversity should be preserved. | Environmental Issues Objectives Techniques Costs Targeted Livestock System Impact Context of Application Monitoring References See Also

In many developing regions, local breeds are often not very efficient interm of productivity. But they are particularly adapted to environmental conditions: climate, feed, diseases and parasites…

They are often able to survive where improved breeds of temperate countries cannot survive without very expensive treatments or protective measures (protective shelters, heating / cooling, heavy use prophylactic treatment with antibiotics). In general, local livestock breeds tend to be more in balance with their environment.

As some traditional breeds have a small size, these animals need less feed than improved breeds. In case of death, the loss for the owner is limited. larger numbers compensate for the lower productivity. Some local breeds have cultural functions as gifts, special place for feast, dowries (social and religious purposes).

Objectives

The objective is to keep alive and somewhat numerous as many local livestock breeds as possible, adapted to many different and often harsh environments.

Techniques

The techniques used are the same as for genetic improvement: artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Also molecular techniques are used (ADN markers, ADN analysis) may be used to caracterize the breeds.

Costs

Artificial insemination with cryoconservation of semen is cheaper, but it needs to have a large enough population base to make these techniques viable. Embryo transfer is more expensive, but it allows one to rebuild population levels of a breed that is almost extinct. The techniques can be combined.

Targeted Livestock system

All domestic species and all systems are concerned. But traditional breeds are normally raised in extensive conditions, or by smallholders. Some traditional breeds are now being raised on a larger scale, but often under organic farming methods, e.g. rare-breed pork.

Grazing systems

LGA | LGS1 | LGS2 | LGS3 | LGH1 | LGH2 | LGH3 | LGT1 | LGT2 | LGT3
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y

Mixed Systems

MCG | MCR | MCC | MFF | MEF
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y

Industrial Systems

IFP | IPL | IPG | IRM | IDU | ISL | ITN | IMP
N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N

Impact

- Positive environmental impact

- Protection of genetic diversity of useful domestic species.
- Good adaptation to local resources, generally in extensive conditions, more or less in equilibrium with environment.

- Negative environmental impact

- Low feeding efficiency,
- Limited productivity, replaced by a large number of animal raised to obtain a definite production.
- Methan emission by ruminants more important with local breed for the same production.

- Livestock productivity impact

- Milk production is low,
- Meat production is low,
- Needs for feed are small,
- Reproduction is very variable (bad or fair),
- Resistance to local diseases is good.

Context of Application

- FAO is applying a programme of breed conservation all over the world. It has developped a tool, the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) available on CD-rom within the Initiative for the Domestic Animal Diversity (iDAD), and also available on the Internet.

Monitoring: EIA, Indicators

- Number of breeds vanishing, in danger, in a critical position, and abundant country by country.
- Size of breeds and their geographical expansion.

References

FAO, 1996. Liste mondiale d'alerte pour la diversité des animaux domestiques. pp. 770.

FAO, 1998. Lignes directrices principales pour le développement de plans de gestion des ressources génétiques animales au niveau national. pp. 143.

See Also

Genetic Improvement

Unconventional Livestock Production

Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity

Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity: Pressure State Response

Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) http://dad.fao.org

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