Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
data were used as a basis for the publication of the world watch list for domestic animal diver-
sity (Scherf 2000). FAO is planning to publish a report on the state of the world's animal genetic
resources in 2006. The inventory compiled by Porter (2002) of endangered livestock breeds
contains about 9000 entries of breeds, types and varieties, and also of extinct ones. Dohner
(2002) described more than 180 endangered British and North American breeds. Hall (2005)
provided detailed information regarding livestock biodiversity and gave recommendations for
preservation.
In many countries, organisations are working for the conservation of endangered livestock
breeds (e.g. the supranational working Rare Breeds International (www.rbi.it), Rare Breeds
Survival Trust in the UK (www.rare-breeds.com), Stichting Zeldzame Huisdierrassen in the
Netherlands (www.szh.nl), Pro Specie Rara in Switzerland (www.psrara.org), Gesellschaft zur
Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen in Germany (www.g-e-h.de), Rare Breeds
Canada (www.rarebreedscanada.ca), the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy in the USA
(www.albc-usa.org), Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand (www.rarebreeds.
co.nz), Rare Breeds Trust of Australia (www.rbta.org). These organisations normally provide
information about the history of old breeds and their status, and offer links to breed
associations.
Breeding objecties
Breeding objectives (traits) appropriate for organic husbandry are the focus of much discus-
sion. Some organic dairy farmers have little awareness of modern breeding techniques and
strong trust in the practices of commercial breeding companies (Nauta
et
al
. 2003). Breeding
objectives will not be the same for all conditions because of the huge variation in conditions.
In some cases, existing objectives will get another weighting within the selection index for
organic breeding purposes. In other cases, new objectives will be added. General breeding
objectives for all farm animal species in organic agriculture are longevity, vitality and fertility.
In recent years, breeding for disease resistance has been the subject of much research attention,
mainly in cattle and sheep (e.g. Axford
et
al
. 2000). The Scandinavian health recording system
for dairy cattle could be identified as a good example of a health recording system. Veterinari-
ans within that scheme collect data about veterinary treatments. In other countries, parame-
ters like somatic cell counts as an indicator for mastitis are provided regularly during milk
recording. A potential disadvantage of this approach is the need for thorough performance
recording schemes.
Table 6.4 shows further examples of suitable breeding traits for organic livestock. In general,
these traits lead away from maximum performance. Instead, an optimum performance should
be the aim.
Table 6.4
Aims and possible breeding traits for organic livestock breeding
Aims
Breeding traits (examples)
Maintenance of biological diversity
Conservation measures for endangered breeds
Lowering of environmental pollution
Improved nutrient efficiency
Longevity
Lifetime production (milk, piglets, eggs)
Health
Disease resistance, increase of robustness
Adaptation to alternative housing systems
Pigs: good mothering ability, suitability for
outdoor production; laying hens: low rate of
feather pecking
Reduced amount of concentrates
Good roughage conversion
Food quality
Meat quality in pigs or poultry
