|
Supporting the preservation or rare and heritage breeds of domestic livestock.
Why is it important to preserve our Old and Heritage Breeds of Domestic Livestock?
Modern food production now favours the use of a few highly specialized breeds selected for maximum output in a controlled environment. Many traditional livestock breeds have lost popularity and are threatened with extinction. Our old and heritage breeds are also humanity’s living history. Since the dawn of time, where ever there was a village or community of people, there were domestic livestock breeds that the community depended upon for their existence. Now many of these breeds are depending on the human race for sheer existence.
More importantly these old and heritage breeds hold the future for the bio diversity gene pool which is required for the further development of the world’s future commercial breeds.
Are commercial types of domestic livestock needed?
Yes they are because the world is growing at a rapid rate and it needs to be clothed and fed. But, this should not be at the expense of the old breeds.
If only if the Peak commercial bodies remembered their heritage!
If the Peak Commercial Bodies like Wool, Lamb, Beef and Pork etc only put 1% of their profits back into preserving the heritage of the commercial types this would go a long way in preserving the world’s old and heritage Breeds of domestic livestock. This would also ensure that we have the genetic material to fall back upon.
Why are so many Domestic Livestock Breeds being lost to extinction?
There are many reasons. Reasons include, being no longer viable to the commercial industry, or, simply being forgotten about. The biggest reason is lack of education of the general public. The divisions between city and country have become wider. Most people have simpler ideas like “chooks are chooks”, “cows are cows”. But they are different. They may be one species but there are many very unique breeds.
Can the world’s “at risk” breeds be saved?
YES they can be saved. It is as simple as maintaining the breed and keeping it pure. Keeping enough population by putting it back to the use it was originally intended; food, fibre or labour etc.
|
