The Kerry is the most numerous of the three surviving indigenous breeds of cattle in Ireland. With a total population currently under a thousand animals it is listed as endangered in the World Watch list. Conservation efforts currently focus on both in situ and ex situ conservation. This approach is possible because of the existence of a few enthusiastic pedigree breeders, a breed society and a herdbook with registrations dating back to the 19th century. The Kerry cattle population is small with overlapping generations. The main objective in its conservation is to minimise inbreeding and conserve genetic variation. The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) was recently mandated to support and co-ordinate the conservation efforts which are centred around minimum coancestry selection, a mating advisory service, semen and embryo cryoconservation. To this end, a mean relationship system was developed for the routine computation of inbreeding and provision of a mating advisory system. Four bulls are identified annually for semen collection and storage. A second scheme aims to identify 15 cows for embryo cryoconservation over a three-year period. Future conservation efforts will benefit from the collation of Kerry cattle breeding and production information in a central database. This and a study of the dynamics of the Kerry cattle population are future priorities for ICBF in an effort to prevent the extinction of the Kerry cattle.

For some years Animal Genetic Resources has been a major topic for consideration and discusion by the FAO Committee in Agriculture (COAG), by the Council and the Conference (the governing body of FAO).

Following requests of earlier meetings the 1991 COAG meeting considered the outline global programme proposed on An GR and also heard the recommendations requesting the possible expansion of Plant Genetic Resources Structure to one for Biological Diversity.

In Europe, more than 60 breeds are described by the national associations of rabbit breeders. However, these breeds are scarcely used in the commercial production of rabbit meat in Europe, which is based mainly on commercial strains. A European programme, coordinated by the I. N. R. A., has been initiated to realise the inventory of all these breeds and to evaluate the zootechnical value and the genetic characteristics of some of them. Through the European association of rabbit breeders and the FAO national focal points, all the European countries have been asked to fill out a questionnaire describing their populations of rabbits. A data bank is being set up, which will be included in the FAO (DAD-IS) and EAAP data banks. A sample of 10 breeds has been chosen (Flemish Giant, French Lop, Belgian Hare, Vienna White, Champagne Argente, Thuringer, Fauve de Bourgogne, Chinchilla, Himalayan, British). Their zootechnical value (reproduction, growth and carcass traits) is being evaluated on three experimental farms, in comparison with a control breed. At the same time, their genetic polymorphism and the genetic distances between these 10 breeds are calculated on the basis of microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA, other genetic markers and protein polymorphism. Finally, a bank of frozen embryos from these 10 breeds is being constituted.

Animal breeding for increased productivity over the past 50 to 60 years has been very successful in terms of increasing growth rate, milk yield and egg production in most livestock producing regions of the world (Rauw et al., 1998). However, this success has not registered that well in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Ironically, just like most developing regions, SSA is faced with the challenge to increase rapidly the agricultural productivity to help feed their growing human populations without depleting the natural resource base (Rege, 2005). Genetic improvement of livestock depends on access to genetic variation and effective methods for exploiting this variation (Rege, 2005). This is where human capacity and infrastructure for decision-support systems in animal breeding are required. This paper provides a synthesis of views from a cross-section of livestock production experts working in SSA. These views were collated through an e-conference which was held from 8th March to 20th April 2011. The e-conference discussed future research and development (R&D) needs for animal breeding and genetics in SSA and how they can be met. The e-conference attracted 43 participants from 17 countries. Results from the e-conference demonstrated that the R&D institutions and infrastructure in SSA vary widely in terms of both the physical and human capacity. Equally varied is the level of utilization of these institutions. In terms of training in Animal Breeding and Genetics, although most universities/colleges have programmes in Animal Science and teach animal breeding and genetics, there are very few practicing animal breeders. Lack of mentorship programmes and collaboration, and in some cases lack of appropriate jobs, continue to contribute to this ‘leaking pipeline’ phenomenon. The following is a summary of the consensus stemming from the conference on how the efficiency and effectiveness of livestock genetic improvement in SSA could be enhanced. First, the need to augment the approach that promotes animal breeding and genetics as part of a wider agriculture and rural development system, second, collaboration both within Africa and with those in the Diaspora should be further tapped into and utilized as a source of capacity for R&D and third, initiative of sharing resources and research platforms such as pooling data for genetic analysis from across institutions, and even across countries, should be encouraged in case where this is advantageous to do so.

The Grazalema Merino and Lebrija Churro Sheep and the Andalusian White and Andalusian Black goat breeds, previously chosen as priority breeds in need of conservation, were considered as having priority for this study. In order to define the genetic as well as the phenotypic profiles the following characters were used: head profile, ear size, ear orientation, ear consistency, horns, pigmentation of mucous, hoofs, udder, ñneness of fur, hair or wool, length of hair or wool, presence of wattles and goatee bear, supernumerary nipples., udder shape, orientation and pigmentation of nipple, and peculiarities of coat. The allelic frequencies for each system were calculated to obtain the genetic profiles of each breed. In the two goat breeds and in the Grazalema Merino breed, the majority of the loci were genetically in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, but this was not true of the Lebrijan Churro breed which seems to indicate that the latter was either subjected to natural or artificial selection for these genes or crosses with outside breeds had taken place. The profiles of the breeds were compared with foreign breeds considered traditional or unmodified by man. The profile of the Andalusian White has already been studied by Rodero and they reached the conclusion that this breed can be considered traditional, completing the studies made on other breeds from the Mediterranean area. The data on the Andalusian Black seems to indicate that this breed might be considered traditional or subtraditional with strong polymorphism in most of its characters. Although less markedly than in the latter breed, the same is true of the Lebrijan Churro. In this breed the deñning characters of Archaism fit well within those common to an archaic breed. The Grazalema Merino is more standardised than the above mentioned not as ñxed than the precocious ones.

The Curraleiro, also called Pé-Duro, is the only naturalized bovine breed of Northeastern Brazil. The breed originated via admixture of different Iberian breeds that were introduced during the sixteenth century and the subsequent natural adaptations to the semi-arid environment. The introduction of zebu bovine breeds during the twentieth century led to the replacement of the Curraleiro, which is now on the brink of extinction. With the aim of supporting the establishment of a conservation programme, the present study focused on assessing the management of the existing Curraleiro populations. Data on 2 366 head of cattle were obtained by interviewing 22 owners of Curraleiro herds. The number of animals in the herds varied from 4 to 384. The average herd size was 131.4 (standard deviation = 120.3). All animals were bred under extensive conditions, without any supplementary feed, and in 50 percent of all cases without any specialized technical assistance. Data indicated that breeders maintain the cattle not for economic reasons, but because of tradition. The Curraleiro was characterized by the breeders as being resistant to water stress and parasites. The animals can be bred without feed supplements on all kinds of native-grass pastures. These characteristics, in addition to its low production costs, could make the Curraleiro attractive, especially for low-income families.

The Nublang is a unique dual-purpose breed of Bos indicus cattle found in Bhutan. They have been crossed with Mithun (Bos frontalis) and Bos taurus breeds in an effort to improve milk production leading to a decline in the population of purebred Nublang. An alternative to crossbreeding would be the genetic improvement of milk yield within purebred Nublang, thus allowing conservation and sustainable utilization of the pure breed. It is important to measure the genetic variability (heritability) of milk yield to assess the potential for genetic improvement within Nublang. Therefore this study estimated phenotypic and genetic parameters of milk yield using 2 052 test day milk yields from 66 cows recorded from 1997 to 2013 in the National Nublang Farm, Tashiyangphu. The average daily milk yield (DMY) was 2.12 ± 0.7 litres (N 2 052, range: 0.3–5.0 L, CV: 34 percent). Parity, month in milk and year all had a significant effect on DMY (P < 0.05). The average lactation milk yield (LMY) was 519.2 ± 151 L (N: 261, range: 115–881.7, CV: 29.1 percent) and average lactation length was 239 days. LMY was significantly influenced by parity (P < 0.05) and season of calving. The heritability of DMY and LMY was 0.22 ± 0.16 and 0.13 ± 0.20, respectively. The repeatability estimates were 0.45 ± 0.05 and 0.49 ± 0.08 for DMY and LMY, respectively. Overall the heritability and repeatability estimates of milk yields indicate potential for genetic improvement of milk yield in Nublang cattle through selection. However, it is recommended that a larger dataset is generated to enable more precise estimates of genetic parameters.

Une enquête a été menée dans les régions de Bouaké et de Korhogo pour inventorier et caractériser les différents types de bovins à viande. Des mesures barymétriques ont été enregistrées sur 511 animaux à Bouaké et 929 à Korhogo pour lesquels les éleveurs ont été invités à indiquer le nom du type phénotypique. L'inventaire des élevages a permis d'identifier 5 types phénotypiques de bovins que sont le N'Dama, le Baoulé, le Zébu, le Méré et le “Métis”. Les descripteurs qui permettent d'identifier au mieux ces différents types de bovins sont la présence/absence de bosse, la couleur de la robe, le périmètre thoracique et la hauteur au garrot. Malgré le métissage qui s'exerce sur elles, les races taurines (N'Dama et Baoulé) présentent des populations homogènes et stables. Le Méré présente une population homogène dans la région de Korhogo et semble être un type phénotypique bien fixé avec 83% d'animaux bien classés. Le pourcentage moyen d'animaux bien classés dans les régions de Bouaké et Korhogo est respectivement de 79 et 68%; ce qui dénote une très bonne connaissance des animaux par les éleveurs. Les caractères déterminants identifiés à partir de cette analyse peuvent servir à définir les standards des races concernées.

The objective of this study is to present the local livestock breeds threatened with extinction as well to suggest an alternative initiative for their preservation and utilization. Both the geographical location and natural resources of Bulgaria are prerequisites for a large variety among species and strains of farm animals. Traditionally a considerable number of local breeds and strains have been bred on the territory of the country. In the recent 25–30 years an evident decline of their numbers is marked chiefly due to the introduction of high-productive, widespread breeds. This study presents the biological features of local indigenous breeds of farm animals threatened with extinction as well as the specificity of their region of location. The genetic research results based on polymorphism of serum blood proteins and blood groups are discussed. The diversity of indigenous sheep breeds is the largest, and 15 of them are under control. In latter years investigations show that they are 1.3 to 3.6 per cent from the total number of this species. The genetic analyses attest that these specific genetic resources can be used for keeping the genetic variety within and between sheep populations as well as for improving the adaptability of the newlyestablished breeds. Among the cattle two local breeds are of interest for genetic resources preservation purposes. As the most attractive emerges, Rhodope's Short-Horned cattle having unique biological characteristics as a representative of Bos Taunis in Europe and whose domain of location is over 1800 meters above sea level. The only impressive strain among the pig breeds has a different biological status from the well-known breeds on the European continent. The results of the present study show that the investigated indigenous breeds and strains are mainly located in mountainous regions considered as“hard”for farming. Thus, the preservation of genetic resources of local farm animals will contribute in using their valuable abilities of adaptation for breeding programmes in ecologically clear regions.

The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources calls for action to conserve the wild species that are related to livestock. The global conservation status of wild species is monitored through the IUCN Red List. This shows that at present 21 percent of the world's 5 488 mammal species and 12 percent of its 9 990 bird species are threatened with extinction. In contrast, a greater proportion of wild relatives of the major mammal livestock species are at risk of extinction: 44 percent of sheep and goats, 50 percent of pigs and 83 percent of cattle. More wild relatives of the chicken are also at risk (25 percent) than bird species overall. These figures indicate the need to pay much more attention to the relationship between the conservation of biological diversity and human well-being. Therefore, there is an urgent need to coordinate responses to the loss of biodiversity and the reduction in variation that may prove vital for animal genetic resources in the future. Intergovernmental meetings being held this autumn offer the prospect of beginning this process.

Genealogical and live body weight monthly records from 790 sheep of the Chiapas breed born between 1991 and 2004 were used to characterize the growth curve and estimate (co)variance components for the parameters (A, k and b) of the Gompertz function. The pedigree structure consisted of 790 sheep, including 45 rams and 379 ewes. Estimation of (co)variance components for each growth parameter was achieved using a univariate animal model with the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method. Estimated values of heritability were: A (adult weight) 0.21 ± 0.06; b (integration constant) 0.25 ± 0.07; k (maturity rate) 0.16 ± 0.06; age at the inflexion estimated as (ln(b)/k) 0.24 ± 0.07; and absolute growth rate as [k*(0.368*A)* ln(A/0.368*A)] 0.22 ± 0.07. The growth of males was 24% (P < 0.05) faster than that of females; adult weight was 25 ± 0.7 kg for males and 23 ± 0.7 kg for females; absolute growth was 59 ± 2 g and 44 ± 2 g per day for males and females respectively. The Chiapas breed of sheep is a small animal with a slow growth curve, probably due to its adaptation to the environmental conditions where it lives. Growth curve can be modified through selection.

Bhadawari buffaloes are reputed for high milk fat and are found in the Agra & Etawah districts of Uttar Pradesh and the Bhind & Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh. Information on the status, management practices, morphological characteristics, body measurements and performance of the Bhadawari breed were recorded from its breeding tract. Animals true to the breed are copper in colour and have a white ring on the lower side of the neck. The population of this breed is declining at a fast pace and efforts are needed for its conservation. Strategies for its improvement and conservation are also discussed.

In Niger, there are three goat breeds including two main ones: the Maradi red goat (17.5%) which has been the subject of numerous investigations and the Sahel goat (80%) which is little studied or unknown. Thus, to establish the phenotypic characteristics of the Sahel goat breed in Niger, investigations into qualitative parameters (appendices and pigmentation) by direct observation of animals were conducted in the northwestern part of the country (Tillabery, Tahoua and Niamey regions). Based on the voluntary participation of farmers, 443 goats (77% female, 39% with 4 pairs of permanent incisors and therefore considered adult) in 145 farms and 60 sites (7,38 ± 6,87 animals/site) were characterized. Analysis of primarity indices and multivariate analysis (ACM) emphasizes that there is no significant difference (P < 0.05) between sexes for all quality parameters except the carrying of a beard (male 55%, female 41%). The parameters distribution is significantly different between regions except the type of horn (mostly ibex in all regions). Indeed, ears are mostly drooping in Tillabéry, stalked in Tahoua and Niamey and pigmentation is dominated by black eumélanique in Tahoua, chocolate eumélanique in Niamey and phaeomélanique in Tillabéry. Goats of the three regions are significantly different based on phenotypic qualitative parameters. But, generally, the goat study population has the characteristics of a primary population which offers great opportunities for genetic improvement.

Small ruminants are important in the agricultural economy of Maharashtra. They convert poor quality roughages into milk for home consumption, highly prized meat, skins, excellent manure and coarse wool. The local breeds of goats and sheep have not been adequately defined and not much has been done for their genetic improvement. All the sheep belong to the Deccani breed type while there are three recognized goat breeds, i.e. Osmanabadi, Sangamneri and Surti. Both the goats and sheep are hardy animals, well adapted to harsh conditions but have a low production potential.

There are approximately 41 million sheep in India, 0.51 million of which are made up by the Chokla population. This breed is generally found around Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar and bordering areas of the Bikaner, Jaipur and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan. The animals have a light to medium-sized body, a small head and are reddish brown or dark tan in colour as far as the middle of the neck, with a white body. The skin is pink. The ears are small to medium in length and tubular in shape. The Chokla sheep are hardy and well adapted to arid and semi-arid tropical environments and are suited for the region where migration is a common practice. The Chokla is a comparatively fine-wool producing type among the Indian sheep. The wool produced by Chokla animals is heterogeneous in quality and generally mixed with coarser fleece of other sheep for their utilisation as carpet wool.

This exploratory study aims to understand and improve the performance of Gambia Indigenous Livestock Multipliers’ Associations (GILMA – Fulladu and Saloum) as a way of enabling them to better respond to the challenges faced in fulfilling their institutional responsibilities. Using participatory institutional diagnosis, the GILMA members and experts were able to examine their associations and to stimulate collective reflection as a means of making the associations more efficient and effective. The findings of this diagnosis showed that functioning of both GILMAs was closely linked to the operations of their technical partners. This resulted to GILMAs which clearly lack defined vision and mission. Main issues to address include capacity development of GILMA's executive committee in terms of institutional management, group facilitation, participatory planning, effective strategies for partnership and ownership. Overall, this study developed pathways for revitalizing GILMAs into vibrant and self-sustaining indigenous ruminant livestock multipliers’ associations that can effectively carry out specific roles and responsibilities within the three-tier Open Nucleus Breeding Scheme of the International Trypanotolerance Centre.

Improved understanding of the adaptation of livestock breeds to their production environments is important for many decisions in the field of AnGR management, ranging from genetic improvement to conservation. However, adaptation is complex and difficult to measure. One approach to this problem is to characterize adaptation indirectly by describing the production environments in which a breed has been kept over time, and to which it has probably become adapted. Comprehensive and comparable descriptions of the production environments in which animals are kept are also needed to make meaningful evaluations of performance data and to enable comparative analysis of the performance of different breeds. To address these requirements and in accordance with the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, it has been proposed that a recognized set of “production environment descriptors“ should be established and used throughout the world as a common framework for describing breeds' production environments. An important aspect of the process will be the georeferencing of breed distributions, which will allow them to be linked to a range of existing georeferenced data sets (e.g. climatic data). The link between a breed and a specific production environment may offer a basis for the development of a niche market; examples in include the Bresse chicken of France and the Abondance and Tarentaise cattle breeds of the northern Alps. Such niche markets represent important opportunities for keeping traditional breeds in use.

On the front lines of Croatia's war areas live the Turopolje pigs, in danger of extinction. Immediate action is sorely needed. The new European Foundation SAVE (Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe), an umbrella organization for the in-situ conservation of agricultural genetic resources, has started an international rescue project. The remaining pigs are listed and will be regrouped for a mating program, which avoids inbreeding. For an additional insurance, SAVE will also bring new breeding groups away from the front lines in, and outside of, Croatia. A breeding register has been set up provisionally at the herdbook office for endangered breeds with Pro Specie Rara in St. Gallen, Switzerland.