Preservation of Rare, Heritage, or Endangered Breeds and Species

By Diane Broek

Recently, I received an invitation to participate in a Gene Banking Workshop Webinar,  which had representatives from The Livestock Conservancy, ViaGen Pets, ST Technologies, Stallion AI Services, Nature’s Safe, and Trans Ova Genetics. The workshop was specifically organized to share the different preservation services that can be utilized to preserve the DNA of rare, heritage, or endangered animals.   The workshop can be found recorded on The Livestock Conservancy website. The Webinar shares footage of the black-footed ferret, which is the result of work ViaGen Pets and partners have performed to preserve that species.  In the process, I learned more about the noble work being done at all of the representative organizations to preserve those animals that are in danger and that we are all in danger of losing these breeds and species and the diversity they represent.

As we focus on participating in the preservation of livestock animals, I would like to share a little more about the Livestock Conservancy and what they represent.  They can be found at www.livestockconservancy.com.  Below are some excerpts from their website:

THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY – “To protect America’s endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction.”

Why save them?

Many of America’s once-common farm animals face extinction if we do not take action now. Rare farm animals represent an irreplaceable piece of earth’s biodiversity and offer an incredible variety that may be needed for future farms – robust health, mothering instincts, foraging, and the ability to thrive in a changing climate. These farm animals are a vital part of ensuring food security for our planet – now and for the future.

These are the 2021 CONSERVATION PRIORITY LIVESTOCK BREEDS:

Critical (C) Breeds with fewer than 200 annual registrations in the United States and an estimated global population of less than 2,000. For rabbits, fewer than 50 annual registrations in the U.S., an estimated global population of less than 500, fewer than 150 recorded at rabbit shows in the previous 5 years, and 10 or fewer breeders. 

Threatened (T) Breeds with fewer than 1,000 annual registrations in the U.S. and an estimated global population of less than 5,000. For rabbits, fewer than 100 annual registrations in the U.S., an estimated global population of less than 1,000, fewer than 300 recorded at rabbit shows in the previous 5 years, and 11-30 breeders. 

Watch (W) Breeds that present genetic or numerical concerns or have a limited geographic distribution, with fewer than 2,500 annual registrations in the U.S. and an estimated global population of less than 10,000. For rabbits, fewer than 200 annual registrations in the U.S., an estimated global population of less than 2,000, fewer than 500 recorded at rabbit shows in the previous 5 years, and 31-60 breeders. 

Recovering (R) Breeds were once listed in another category, but have exceeded Watch category numbers and still need monitoring. For rabbits, more than 500 were recorded at rabbit shows in the last 5 years, and more than 60 breeders. 

CATTLE 

Canadienne (C) 

Randall or Randall Lineback (C) 

Texas Longhorn (CTLR – Cattleman’s Texas Longhorn Registry) (C) 

Florida Cracker (T) 

Pineywoods (T) 

GOATS 

San Clemente Island (C) 

Spanish (W) 

Myotonic or Tennessee Fainting (R) 

PIGS 

Choctaw (C) 

Mulefoot (C) 

Ossabaw Island (C) 

Guinea Hog (T) 

Red Wattle (T) 

Hereford (R) 

BREEDS IMPORTED AFTER 1900 

CATTLE 

Kerry (C) 

Lincoln Red (C) 

Ancient White Park (T) 

Belted Galloway (W) 

Ankole-Watusi (R) 

GOATS 

Arapawa (C) 

Oberhasli (R)

PIGS 

Large Black (C) 

Meishan (C) 

Gloucestershire Old Spots (T) 

If you have any of these breeds or species of livestock, please do not hesitate to reach out to Trans Ova Genetics at 1-800-999-3586 to inquire about our special preservation services for rare, heritage, or endangered livestock animals.  For more information about the Livestock Conservancy and to donate to their mission contact: 

www.LivestockConservancy.org | info@livestockconservancy.org | 919-542-5704 | PO Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Learn more about Trans Ova’s Genetic Preservation and Cloning services in our blog or on our website.

How can we help?