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ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES INFORMATION

BULLETIND’INFORMATIONSUR LE RESSOURCESGÉNÉTIQUES ANIMALES

BOLETINDE INFORMACIONSOBRE RECURSOSGENETICOS ANIMALES

Initiative pourla Diversitédes AnimauxDomestiques

Initiative for Domestic AnimalDiversity

Iniciativa parala Diversidadde los AnimalesDomésticos

272000

FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations

OrganisationdesNationsUniespourl'alimentationetl'agriculture

Organizaciónde lasNacionesUnidaspara laAgriculturay laAlimentatción

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever onthe part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsconcerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of itsauthorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Les appellations employées dans cette publication et la présentation desdonnées qui y figurent n’impliquent de la part de l’ Organisation desNations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture aucune prise de positionquant au statut juridique des pays, territoires, villes ou zones ou de leursautorités, ni quant au tracé de leurs frontières ou limites.

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Editors - Editeurs - Editores:S. Galal & J. Boyazoglu

Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 1, 00100Rome, Italy

Animal Genetic Resources Information ispublished under the joint auspices of theFood and Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (FAO) and the UnitedNations Environment Programme (UNEP).It is edited in the Animal Genetic ResourcesGroup of the Animal Production and HealthDivision of FAO. It is available direct fromFAO or through the usual FAO sales agents.

ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCESINFORMATION will be sent free of chargeto those concerned with the sustainabledevelopment conservation of domesticlivestock. Anyone wishing to receive itregularly should send their name andaddress to the Editor, at the address shownabove.AGRI can also be found in the “Library” ofDAD-IS at URL http://www.fao.org/dad-is.

Le Bulletin d’information sur les ressourcesgénétiques animales est publié sous lesauspices conjoints de l’Organisation desNations Unies pour l’Alimentation etl’Agriculture (FAO) et du Programme desNations Unies pour l’Environnement(UNEP). Cette publication est éditée par leGroupe des Ressources Génétiques de laDivision de la Production et de la SantéAnimales de la FAO. On peut se le procurerdirectement au siège de la FAO ou auprèsdes dépositaires et agents habituels de ventede publication de l’Organisation.

LE BULLETIN D’INFORMATION SUR LESRESSOURCES GÉNÉTIQUES ANIMALESsera envoyé gratuitement aux personnes intéresséespar le développement durable et la conservationdu bétail domestique. Les personnes souhaitantrecevoir cette publication régulièrement voudrontbien faire parvenir leurs nom et adresse à l’éditeur,à l’adresse sus-indiquée.AGRI peut être consulté également sur la“Librairie” de DAD-IS de URLhttp://www.fao.org/dad-is.

El Boletín de Información sobre RecursosGenéticos Animales se publica bajo les auspiciosde la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para laAgricultura y la Alimentación (FAO) y delPrograma de la Naciones Unidas para el MedioAmbiente (UNEP). Se edita en el Grupo deRecursos Genéticos de la Dirección de Produccióny Sanidad Animal de la FAO. Se puede obtenerdirectamente de la FAO o a través de sus agentesde venta habituales.

El BOLETIN DE INFORMACION SOBRERECURSOS GENETICOS ANIMALES seráenviado gratuitamente a quienes estén interesadosen el desarrollo sostenible y la conservación delganado doméstico. Si se desea recibirloregularmente, se ruega comunicar nombre, apellidoy dirección al editor a la dirección arriba indicada.AGRI puede consultarse también en la“Librería” de DAD-IS de URLhttp://www.fao.org/dad-is.

ANIMAL GENETIC

RESOURCES INFORMATION

BULLETIN

D’INFORMATION SUR LES

RESSOURCES GÉNÉTIQUES

ANIMALES

BOLETÍN DE

INFORMACIÓN SOBRE RECURSOS

GENÉTICOS ANIMALES

CONTENTS Page

Editorial I

Realising added-value in native British breeds of beef cattle 1G.L.H. Alderson

Adding value to South African landrace breeds conservationthrough utilisation 9K. Ramsay, M. Smuts & H. C. Els

Introduction de la race bovine N’Dama à la Ferme Elevagede l’Okpara au Bénin. Quelques performances zootechniques 17A.K.I. Youssao, A. Ahissou & Z. Toure

The Sambucana sheep: a project to save a valley 27S. Luparia

The productivity of Polish Wrzosówka sheep inconditions of preservation 35W. Kiec

Characterisation of Jamunapari goats in their home tract 43P.K. Rout, V.K. Saxena, B.U. Khan, R. Roy, A. Mandal,S.K. Singh & L.B. Singh

The Majorcan Black pig 53J. Jaume & L. Alfonso

Turkey conservation in the United States 59D.P. Sponenberg, R.O. Hawes, P. Johnson & C.J. Christman

Recent publications 67

Editorial policies and procedures 77

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L’A LIMENTATION ET L’A GRICULTURE

ORGANIZACION DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS PARA LA AGRICULTURA Y LA ALIMENTACION

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L’ENVIRONNEMENT

PROGRAMA DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS PARA EL MEDIO AMBIENTE

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I

Editorial

Domestic animal biodiversity developed overthe millennia through natural and man-madeselection from the hunting-and-gatheringperiod to agrarian eras. Species andpopulations within species developed to suitdifferent environments and different humanneeds. However, it is not until the industrialrevolution in the 18th century that thisvaluable biodiversity started to decline in anever-accelerating manner. For example fromthe over a hundred animal species that manextracted utility from in the past he nowdepends on less than 15. The situation of theerosion of diversity among breeds withinpopulations is even worst. This entails a greatrisk particularly in regard to low-inputproduction systems and to the probableoccurrence of changes in environments thatrequire adaptable genotypes. Advances inbiotechnology will unlikely make up for thiserosion in diversity by enabling theproduction–on-demand of genotypes forproducts needed by different societies, forthese differ greatly with physical societalneeds as well culture- the human heritage- letalone the expense incurred in acquiring andutilising such technologies.

However, the efficient maintenance anddevelopment of animal domestic biodiversityrequires sound foundations for theconservation and utilisation of these animalgenetic resources. Conservation can bepassive in the form of genome banks, i.e.keeping frozen gametes and embryos, butwith progress in biotechnology there is theprospect of being able to regenerate theindividual from stored DNA material. Thesegenome banks can serve well the urgent needfor conserving populations at risk. Activeconservation is where populations areactually reproducing. There is moreawareness now of the need of both types ofconservation and many countries and regionsare establishing genome banks. For the moreexpensive endeavour of active conservationcountries are innovating in partially coveringthe expense as in maintaining such

endangered breeds and species in parksengaged in agri-tourism activities or creatingniche markets for products where the breedsexcel.

An important form of active conservationis the conservation through utilisation. Somebreeds that were judged as uneconomicalunder some production environments arebeing ‘rediscovered’ for their superiority incertain aspects of the production system, i.e.heterosis or maternal effect, or in certainproducts or product quality, i.e. leanness,leather or flavour. Coincidently this issue ofAGRI gives such examples across differentspecies, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs in theUK, Poland and South Africa. Conservationthrough utilisation requires adequatecharacterisation of the genetic resource and itsadaptability and productivity under differentproduction environments and in differentmating systems. The Production EnvironmentApproach to Breed Development recognizes thatanimal genetic resources are an element incomplex production systems and theirmanagement should be dealt with in thatcontext. FAO has done well by taking stockand publishing of the world breeds of majorfarm animal and avian species in itssuccessive versions of the World Watch List,the Domestic Animal Diversity InformationSystem (DAD-IS), both on line and on CD. Agreat effort is still needed in developingenvironment descriptors and applying suchdescriptors to breeds accordingly. This willrepresent a major step towards the utilizationof the breed in its home or other tracts andthe conservation of a breed throughutilization.

The Editors

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II

Editorial

La biodiversité des animaux domestiquess’est développée au long des siècles à traversla sélection naturelle et celle appliquée parl’homme, ceci depuis l’époque préhistoriquejusqu’à l’établissement sédentaire de l’èreagricole. Les espèces et les différentespopulations à l’intérieur des espèces se sontdéveloppées pour s’adapter aux multiplesenvironnements ainsi qu’aux besoins deshommes. Cependant, ce n’est qu’à partir de larévolution industrielle (XVIIIème siècle) quecette importante biodiversité a commencé àdécliner de façon accélérée et continue. Ainsi,sur une centaine d’espèces animales quel’homme utilisait dans le passé il ne disposemaintenant que de l’utilisation de moins de15. La situation de l’érosion de la diversitéparmi les races à l’intérieur des populationsest encore plus grave. Ceci entraîne un grosrisque, surtout par rapport aux systèmes deproduction dans le contexte de l’économie demarché et tenant compte des changementsprobables des milieux qui nécessiteraient desgénotypes adaptés. Les progrès enbiotechnologie permettraient peut-être derattraper cette érosion de la diversité à traversune production “sur demande” de génotypesselon les produits nécessaires aux différentessociétés; cependant, ces besoins seront trèsdifférents selon les sociétés et leur héritageculturel, sans compter les dépensesqu’entraîne l’achat et mise en valeur de cestechnologies.

Cependant, la conservation efficace et ledéveloppement de la biodiversité desanimaux domestiques requierent de basessolides pour leur conservation et utilisation.La conservation peut être passive en forme debanques de gènes, par exemple avec lacongélation de gamètes et d’embryons. Avecle progrès de la biotechnologie on se trouveaussi face à la prospective de pouvoir peut-être “regénérer l’individu” en partant dumatériel ADN stocké. Ces banques degénomes peuvent aussi bien résoudre lebesoin urgent de conservation despopulations à risque. Il existe actuellementune reconnaissance de la nécessité d’avoir lesdeux types de conservation en parallel, etbeaucoup de pays et régions sont en train

d’établir des banques de génomes. En ce quiconcerne la partie plus chère de laconservation active, certains pays, pourcouvrir partiellement les dépenses, ont mis enplace des parcs de réserve pour les races et lesespèces en danger, liés aux activitésd’agri-tourisme ou ont créé des niches demarché pour des produits régionaux dequalité.

Une forme importante de conservationactive est la conservation à traversl’utilisation. Certaines races qui étaientconsidérées peu intéressantes du point de vueéconomique sous certaines conditions deproduction et de milieu, ont été“redécouvertes” grâce à leur supériorité danscertains aspects des systèmes de production,par exemple l’effet d’hétérosis ou maternnel,ou dans le cas de l’utilité vis-à-vis de certainsproduits, même de qualité, comme lesfromages, les viandes spécifiques, le cuir ou legoût particulier d’un produit. Par conséquentce numéro d’AGRI présente tous ces cas pourdifférentes espèces, bovins, ovins, caprins etporcins en Angleterre, Pologne et l’Afrique duSud. La conservation à travers l’utilisationdemande une caractérisation adéquate desressources génétiques et de leur adaptation etproductivité en différents milieux et sousdifférents systèmes de production. L’approchede la production-milieu pour le développement desraces établi que les ressources génétiquesanimales sont un élément important dans lessystèmes de production complexes et leurgestion devrait donc tenir compte de cecontexte. La FAO a d’ailleurs bien fait derassembler et publier les listes des racesanimalières et avicoles les plus importantesdans le monde dans ses différentes versionsde la Liste Mondiale de Surveillance duSystème d’Information sur la Diversité desAnimaux Domestiques (DAD-IS), aussi bienon line que sur CD. Il est nécessaire de faireencore un grand effort pour développer lesdescripteurs de mileu et pouvoir appliquerces descripteurs correctement aux races. Cecireprésente un pas important dans l’utilisationdes races dans leur environnement ou dansd’autres milieux, ainsi que dans laconservation des races à travers l’utilisation.

Les Editeurs.

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III

Editorial

La biodiversidad en los animales domésticosse ha ido desarrollando a lo largo de los siglosa través de la selección natural y la selecciónrealizada por el hombre, y esto desde la épocaprehistórica hasta los asentamientossedentarios de la era agrícola. Las especies, asícomo las diversas poblaciones dentro de lasespecies, se han desarrollado para adaptarse alos múltiples ambientes y a las necesidades delos hombres. Sin embargo, fue sólo a partir dela revolución industrial (siglo XVIII) que estaimportante biodiversidad empezó a declinarde forma accelerada y constante. Por tanto,sobre un centenar de especies animales que elhombre venía utilizando en el pasado nodispone hoy en día más que de unas 15. Másgrave todavía es la situación de la erosión dela diversidad entre las razas dentro de laspoblaciones. Todo esto conlleva un riesgoimportante, sobre todo en relación con lossistemas de producción dentro del contextode la economía de mercado y teniendo encuenta además los cambios probables delambiente que exigirían genotipos másadaptados. Los progresos obtenidos con labiotecología permitirían quizás frenar estaerosión de la diversidad con una producción“a medida” de genotipos según la demandade productos en las distintas sociedades; sinembargo, estas necesidades podrán ser muydistintas y dependerán de cada tradicióncultural, sin contar los gastos que conlleva lacompra e implementación de estastecnologías.Por otra parte, la conservación eficaz y eldesarrollo de la biodiversidad de los animalesdomésticos requieren bases sólidas para suconservación y utilización. La conservaciónpuede ser pasiva, bajo forma de bancos degenes, como por ejemplo la congelación degametos y de embriones. Con los progresosde la biotecnología nos encontramos tambiénfrente a la posibilidad de poder quizás“regenerar un individuo” a partir del materialde ADN almacenado. Estos bancos degenomas pueden también resolver lanecesidad urgente de conservación de laspoblaciones en peligro. Existe actualmente elreconocimiento de la necesidad de mantenerlos dos tipos de conservación de formaparalela, y muchos países y regiones están yaestableciendo bancos de genomas. En cuanto

a la parte más cara de la conservación activa,algunos países, para cubrir parcialmente losgastos, han instalado parques de reservaspara las razas y las especies en peligro, enconexión con las actividades de turismo rural,o se han orientado hacia los productosregionales de calidad para un sectordeterminado de consumo.Una forma importante de conservación activaes la conservación mediante la utilización.Algunas razas consideradas poco interesanteshasta hoy desde el punto de vista económicobajo ciertas condiciones de producción yambiente, han sido “descubiertas de nuevo”gracias a su superioridad en según queaspectos de los sistemas de producción, porejemplo el efecto de heterosis o materno, o enlos casos de utilización para la obtención deciertos productos, incluso de calidad, comopueden ser quesos, carnes particulares, cueroo también por el sabor típico de un producto.Por tanto, este número de AGRI presentatodos estos casos para las distintas especiesde bovinos, ovinos, caprinos y porcinos enReino Unido, Polonia y Africa del Sur. Laconservación a través de la utilizaciónnecesita de una caracterización adecuada delos recursos genéticos y de su adaptación yproductividad en distintos ambientes y bajodiversos sistemas de producción. El enfoque deproducción-ambiente para el desarrollo de las razasestablece que los recursos genéticos animalesson un elemento importante dentro de lossistemas de producción complejos y sugestión debería por lo tanto tener en cuentaeste contexto. La FAO, de hecho, hizo muybien recogiendo y publicando las listas con lasrazas animales y avícolas más importantes enel mundo en sus distintas versiones de laLista Mundial de Vigilancia del Sistema deInformación para la Diversidad de losAnimales Domésticos (DAD-IS), disponibletanto on line como en CD. Todavía esnecesario llevar a cabo un esfuerzoimportante para desarrollar los descriptoresde ambiente y poder aplicar dichosdescriptores correctamente según las razas.Esto representa un paso importante dentro dela utilización de las razas en su proprioambiente o en otros diferentes, así como parala conservación de las razas a través de lautilización.

Los Editores

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IV

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1

Animal Genetic Resources Information, No. 27, 2000

Alderson

AGRI 2000, 27: 1-7

Summary

Native breeds of beef cattle in Britain havebeen superseded by imported breeds sincethe 1960s, but a changing market in the 1990shas begun to restore traditional values. Thedistinctive qualities of native breeds arebecoming more relevant, and the White Parkis a prime example of their importance. Thispaper makes a critical evaluation of severalstudies of White Park cattle that have beencarried out, namely productivity innon-intensive systems of management,assessment of type and function by linearmeasurements, quality of product (meat), andvalue in crossing programmes. It concludesthat breeds such as the White Park derivesignificant added value as a result of theirnative adaptability and the high quality oftheir beef, and that they benefit from a marketdriven by consumers rather thansupermarkets. The use of different linearmeasurements is proposed, and the effectiveuse of White Park bulls in crossingprogrammes is demonstrated.

Resumen

Las razas bovinas nativas en Gran Bretañahan sido sustituidas por razas importadasdesde los años sesenta, pero un mercadocambiante en los noventa ha empezado arestaurar los valores tradicionales. Lascualidades distintivas de las razas nativas seestán convirtiendo en mas relevantes, y elWhite Park es un primer ejemplo de suimportancia. Este trabajo hace una evaluacióncrítica de varios estudios sobre el bovino

White Park que han sido llevados a cabo, asaber: productividad en sistemas de manejono intensivos, evaluación del tipo y funciónpor mediciones lineales, calidad de productos(carne), y valor en programas de cruzamiento.Se concluye que razas tales como el bovinoWhite Park derivan un valor añadidoadicional como resultado de su adaptabilidadnatural y la alta calidad de su carne, y queellos son beneficiarios de un mercadoconducido por los consumidores y no por lossupermercados. El uso de diferentes medidaslineales se propone, y el uso efectivo de lostoros White Park en programas decruzamiento es demostrado.

Key words: Beef cattle, White Park cattle,Non-intensive production, Linear measurements.

Introduction

Trends in the beef cattle industry in Britainduring the period 1965 to 1995 increasinglyfavoured imported breeds and discriminatedagainst native breeds. Controlledenvironment conditions and intensivesystems of production were an integral partof performance recording assessmentspromoted by the Meat and LivestockCommission, and were responsible for thedomination of the British beef industry by

Realising added-value in native Britishbreeds of beef cattle*

G.L.H. Alderson

Traditional Livestock Foundation, 6 Harnage, Shrewsbury,Shropshire SY5 6EJ, UK

*Paper presented at the Rare BreedsInternational Mini Symposium

"Characterisation of small populations offarm animal genetic resources with specialinitiatives and value added traits" held in

Zurich, Switzerland, 20 August 1999

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2 Added-value in beef cattle

large animals from the mainland of Europe,distinguished by high yield of lean meat.These methods of evaluation did notrecognise the distinctive qualities of mostnative British breeds of beef cattle.Characteristics such as native adaptabilityand product quality are not easily measuredand have been disregarded by official bodies.However, changing market forces in the late1990s have caused the resurgence of moretraditional criteria, and programmes ofcharacterisation within policies of geneticconservation have demonstrated the value ofthe special qualities of native breeds. TheWhite Park is the most distinctive Britishbreed, and it demonstrates most effectivelythe potential value of these breeds (Alderson,1997). Comparative crossing trials from the1970s onwards showed its superiority overseveral more popular commercial breeds,while analyses of type, conformation andsystems of management in the 1990s haveconfirmed opportunities for the breed in thewider livestock industry by utilising itsparticular qualities to achieve added value.

Since the 1960s the market for beef cattlehas been driven by two main factors. Thecombined force of supermarkets and partialscientific advice, one demanding productuniformity and the other condemning dietaryanimal fat, brought the market to almost totaldependence on intensively-reared lean beef.This development was underpinned byprogrammes of the Meat and LivestockCommission which evolved selection criteriacalculated to cater for this market, and whichneglected the interests of other breeds withdifferent qualities. Weight gain and withersheight became standard measures ofperformance, both associated with large bodysize. Performance testing stations identifiedpotential breeding animals that excelled inintensive systems. Intensively-reared beefanimals, often entire bulls slaughtered at ayoung age, became the norm. As a result,large late-maturing breeds were given theopportunity to increase their popularity inBritain; first Charolais, followed by Limousinand finally Belgian Blue. At a later stageBLUP programmes were applied to permitfurther dominance in the industry by these

breeds. Virtually all native beef breeds becamemarginalised, and their particular qualitieswere neglected in the mainstreammarketplace.

A change occurred during the 1990s. Itmay have been triggered by the BSE crisis,but it had its roots in the increasingawareness of consumers. Their demandsbegan to assume a greater importance thanthe dictates of supermarkets. Eating quality ofmeat played a significant role in this process,but factors associated with animal welfare,protection of the environment and humanhealth also assumed a high priority. While theBSE crisis caused the collapse of mainstreambeef sales in Britain during the following year,sales of beef from native rare breeds doubledduring the same period. Consumers becameaware of the close relationship between nativebreeds and non-intensive systems ofproduction. The conservation of Britishbreeds, reared in natural systems, was astrong promotional line for beef marketing.

The development and promotion of nativebreeds have been inhibited by lack ofcharacterisation that stemmed from the focusof attention on popular imported breeds.Programmes of characterisation werenecessary to realise the potential of nativebreeds in commercial systems, and this studyhas evaluated the progress that has beenachieved with White Park cattle particularlywith regard to defining performance in non-intensive production, developing a system oflinear measurements, evaluating the qualityof products, and demonstrating its value as acrossing breed.

Methods

Efficiency of production was calculated in arecorded pedigree herd of White Park cattleon upland pasture (Figures 1 and 2) during afour-year period (1995-1998 inclusive).Fertility, ease of parturition, longevity andgrowth rate were examined, and related tothe system of management. In addition, otherdata were analysed and evaluated. Resultsfrom records of White Park cows included ina system of linear measurements for beef

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Alderson

cattle were related to production andperformance. Quality of meat was evaluatedby butcher and consumer assessments in theTraditional Breeds Meat Marketing scheme ofthe Rare Breeds Survival Trust (Lloyd-James,1999). Data of comparative breed trials wereevaluated to determine the value of WhitePark bulls as crossing sires.

Non-Intensive System ofProduction

White Park cattle are adapted to a widevariety of conditions, ranging from lowlandmeadows and parkland to mountain pasture(Alderson, 1997). Performance records froman upland herd in central England have beenanalysed for four years (1995-1998 inclusive).

The herd was kept on exposed permanentpasture of coarse herbage 250 m above sealevel. The breeding herd remained outdoors

throughout the year with no housing, andreceived no extra feed at any time, in contrastto neighbouring herds of commercialcrossbred cows. All cows were mated to aWhite Park bull, and all heifer replacementswere homebred. Selection criteria, in order ofpriority, were:1. Average weight of calf weaned.2. Maternal breeding records of progeny,3. Type (linear assessment).

The average herd size was 26-27 breedingcows.

A satisfactory level of fertility wasachieved from a 75-day exposure to the bull.A calving rate of 93.2% (123 calvings) wasrealised from 132 calving opportunities.During the five-year period 21 cows left theherd, giving an average breeding life in theherd of 6.3 years. This did not provide anaccurate assessment of longevity as 17 cows(average age 5.18 years) were sold forbreeding. Only four animals were culled; twowere barren (12 and 8 years of age) and two

Figure 1. Breeding cows in an upland herd which remains outdoors throughout theyear on rough grassland.

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were aged (both 16 years of age). The agestructure of the herd in 1999 was 5 cows (20%)12-16 years of age, 5 cows (20%) 7-11 years,and 15 cows (60%) 3-6 years. The highproportion of young cows was due to thepolicy of selling proven breeding cows ratherthan first-calving heifers.

Calves and young stock were weighed atapproximately 180, 500 and 900 days of age.Weights were adjusted for age, and correctedfor sex, age of dam, and inbreeding. Averageweight at 180 days of age was 199.04 kg(SD 17.4 kg) from a daily live weight gain of0.91 kg. Comparative results for a small sectorof the herd on lowland grazing showed adaily live weight gain of 1.195 kg. Weights at500 and 900 days of age (circa 400-420 kg and630-650 kg respectively) were more variableand susceptible to changes in climaticconditions and grass quality (Figure 3). WhitePark steers finished under intensiveconditions averaged a daily live weight gainof 1.02 kg to give an average carcase weight of277 kg at 496 days of age, with goodcommercial carcase grades ranging from O+3

to R4L. Grades are defined on a scale ofE (best) through U, R, O and P (worst) forconformation, and 1 (leanest) to 5 (fattest) forfatness.

Linear Measurements

A study was carried out on White Park cattlein Britain (1994–1998) to explore therelationship between various linearmeasurements and ratios and productioncharacteristics, and to establish norms of typeand conformation for the breed (Alderson,1999). A total of 315 female records wereincluded, and the process was repeated onsome animals after an interval of 2 to 3 yearsto study patterns of growth. Themeasurements showed a medium-sizedanimal, with a long body in relation to heightand depth, and relatively short legs.

The study questioned the value ofestablished criteria. It demonstrated thatwithers height was a poor indicator of weightor quality, and proposed instead the use of

Figure 2. This White Park cow shows the typical beef characteristics of thebreed.


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Alderson

rump length or hip width as superiormeasures. It also recommended the use inbreeding cows of a comparative index insteadof weight as an indicator of productivity. Thecomparative index combined values forweight, body length and rump area. Althoughwithers height was the least variable measureand the least affected by environment, it wasof limited value. It had a high correlation onlywith length of leg, but poor correlation withboth weight and the comparative index (0.566and 0.446 respectively). The best measureswere hip width (correlation 0.861 and 0.809)and length of rump from hip to pin(correlation 0.745 and 0.781, respectively). Theanalyses also indicated a negative phenotypiccorrelation between body weight andmeasures of productivity such as regularity ofbreeding, longevity and efficiency ofproduction. For example, 27% of heavy cows(1SD above mean) and 40% of very heavycows (+ 2SD) were culled for irregularbreeding, compared with 18% and 29% forcows with the highest comparative index(+ 1SD and 2SD respectively). The longevity

of heavy cows was shorter, but probably thiswas related to a poorer breeding record ratherthan directly to weight. There was a greaternegative phenotypic correlation betweenproductivity (total weight of calves weaned/number of years exposed to bull) and bodyweight (-0.543) than between productivityand comparative index (-0.407) but there wasa negative correlation between efficiency ofproduction (productivity/body weight) andcomparative index (-0.663).

The study identified useful linear measuresfor the evaluation of beef cattle, especially inrelation to behaviour in non-intensivesystems of management as a specialistgrazing animal, and to meat yield. A longbody gave good capacity for digestion ofroughage, and a greater area for high-pricedjoints of meat. Rump area (hip width x rumplength) also was related to production ofhigh-priced joints of meat, and this confirmedthe identification of pelvic width in a study ofBelgian Blue cattle (Hanset et al., 1995) as thebest indicator of muscularity and meat yield.Linear measures did not appear to be

Figure 3. White Park steers being finished on grassland for a speciality beef market.


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correlated with other selection criteria, such astemperament or meat quality.

Quality of Product

White Park beef enjoys a particularly highreputation among butchers and consumers.Evaluation responses by both butchers andconsumers were more positive than for anyother breed, and White Park beef has been thepreferred meat for speciality banquets. It isdistinguished by a light fat covering and goodmarbling, and is claimed to have a high n-3polyunsaturated fatty acids content, butmeasurement of meat quality has not yet beensubjected to scientific evaluation.

The special quality of White Park beef hasbeen exploited by the Traditional Breeds MeatMarketing Company, which fills a nichegourmet market in Britain and whichdemands high standards of taste, texture andtraceability. The best quality beef is producedby cattle which are finished off grass at36 months of age and this can command aprice premium of more than 20%, but currentlegislation requires animals to be slaughteredbefore 30 months of age at which time WhitePark steers can achieve a liveweight of up to650 kg. The beef is sold through a nationalnetwork of specialist butchers, and ispromoted not only for its eating quality, butalso for related benefits to animal welfare,protection of the environment and humanhealth. These factors are associated withnon-intensive systems of production, forwhich White Park cattle are well suited byvirtue of their medium size, grazingbehaviour, good leg structure, efficiency ofroughage conversion and body capacity.

Crossing Bull

While purebred White Park cattle havesuccessfully filled a niche market, both asbreeding herds in less favoured areas and asfinished beef cattle through specialist outlets,their wider use will depend on their value incrossing programmes. Comparative crossingtrials with White Park bulls have been carried

out against Hereford and Welsh Black bulls inthe 1970s (Ark, 1974), and against Limousinbulls in 1986 (Alderson, 1997). The resultsindicated that the crossbred progeny of WhitePark bulls benefit from a high level of hybridvigour. The growth rate of calves by WhitePark bulls to circa 200 days of age exceededthat of their contemporaries by Welsh Black(+23.96%) Hereford (+16.67%) and Limousinbulls (+7.26%), indicating a hybrid vigoureffect of circa 20%. This was a product of thegenetic distance of White Park cattle fromother breeds, which has been demonstrated inseveral studies (Royle, 1983 and Blott, 1997).

Other advantages obtained by the use ofWhite Park bulls were colour marking ofprogeny, ease of parturition and high fertility.The White Park colour pattern is dominantover any other colour or pattern. Ease ofcalving is experienced both by White Parkcows and by other cows mated to White Parkbulls. Scrotal circumference measurementsfrom a small sample of bulls in the linearassessment programme indicated a goodtesticle size (average scrotal circumference46.3 cm) in relation to body weight (955 kg).No assessment has been made of meat qualityin crossbred progeny of White Park bulls.

Conclusions

The qualities which have caused nativebreeds to be excluded from the mainstreambeef industry in Britain for three decades, arethe same qualities which fit them for futuremarkets.1. Their natural adaptability to local

conditions enables them to produceefficiently in non-intensive systems ofproduction. The performance results forgrassland systems, both upland andlowland, demonstrate a high level ofproductivity, but their output in intensivehigh-input systems can not compare withlarger breeds.

2. As a group, they are characterised by easeof parturition, high fertility and longevity,and their behaviour shows grazingpreference for coarse herbage and efficientuse of extensive pasture.

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7


Alderson

3. Their conformation is that of a specialistgrazing animal – relatively short legs andproportionately large body capacity. Theirtype is in contrast both to the verycompact animals of breeds that werepopular in Britain up to the 1960s, and tothe tall continental style that supersededthe earlier fashion.

4. The merit of their product is based oneating quality, especially flavour andtenderness. The meat quality of nativebreeds is the combined result of geneticmerit and non-intensive systems ofproduction.

Various studies of White Park cattle haveconfirmed the distinctive characteristics andqualities of the breed, but some results relytoo heavily on anecdotal evidence that has notbeen subjected to scientific analysis. Specialqualities, such as adaptation to grazing coarseherbage, are significant and deserve deeperstudy. Their level of productivity in non-intensive low-input systems offers anincreasingly attractive alternative to intensivesystems of beef production, and is reinforcedby the premium value of the beef. Theassessment by linear measurementsdemonstrated the irrelevance of withersheight as an indicator of type, and the dangerof using body weight as a priority selectioncriterion. The value of rump area as asuperior indicator was determined, but theproposed comparative index seemed bothcomplex and not closely correlated to somecritical factors of production. Thedistinctiveness of the breed is particularlyrelevant with regard to genetic distance.

Added value is derived from the efficiencyof production of the breed, from the high

quality of the product, from the perception bythe consumer of the safety of traditional beeffrom an historic native breed, and from theuse of the breed in crossing programmes forhybrid vigour.

References

Alderson, L. 1997. A Breed ofDistinction. Countrywide Livestock Ltd,Shrewsbury, UK, pp. 167.

Alderson, G.L.H. 1999. Thedevelopment of a system of linearmeasurements to provide an assessment oftype and function of beef cattle; AGRI 25,45-56.

Ark. 1974. Birdshill Farm; Vol. 1, No. 8,20-22.

Blott, S.C. 1997. Genetic variationwithin and between European cattle breeds,University of Edinburgh, pp. 202.

Hanset, R., C. Michaux, F. Bronen.1995. Linear Classification in Belgian BlueCattle Breed. In EAAP Publication No. 75,Milk and Beef Recording, 231-237.

Lloyd-James, B. 1999. Personalcommunication.

Royle, N.J. 1983. Polymorphisms ofRare Breeds of Cattle, University of Reading,pp. 160.

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9


Ramsay et al.

AGRI 2000, 27: 9-15

Summary

The paper analyses the importance of breedconservation in South Africa by means ofadded value through a number of species.This principle was applied to some ofSouthern Africa populations: Nguni cattle,indigenous pigs, indigenous sheep landracesincluding fat-tails (Pedi, Damara, Zulu,Afrikaner) and fat-rumped breeds (Persian) aswell as the improved Boer goat. The latter isan example of what can be achieved byselecting an indigenous breed for a specificpurpose.

For each breed, possible alternative usesare explained by analysing their characters.For the Nguni cattle (very well adapted tolocal conditions) a premium is paid for hideswith minimal tick damage as these are usedfor car upholstery, an important added value.Beef quality and easy calving are also relevantfactors that are important when crossing theNguni with European breeds.

Indigenous sheep landraces are often usedto develop hardy composites and this helpstheir conservation, while the Boer goat is indemand in many countries formeat-production and has been exportedworld-wide; this is probably the only selectedmeat-goat in the world.

Indigenous pig breeds are capable ofgenerating a good income and are satisfactoryalternatives to modern breeds.

Resumen

El artículo analiza la importancia de laconservación de las razas en Sudafrica a

través de ejemplos y por medio del valorañadido. Este pricipio fue aplicado a algunasde las poblaciones existentes en Sudafrica:bovinos Nguni, razas porcinas indígenas, yrazas ovinas indígenas, incluidas las de colagrasa (Pedi, Damara, Zulu,Afrikaner) ycadera grasa (Persian), así como la razacaprina mejorada Boer. Esta última es unejemplo de lo que se puede obtener a travésde la selección de una raza indígena para unfin específico.

Para cada una de las razas, se presentan losusos alternativos posibles a través del análisisde sus caracteres. Para la raza Nguni (muybien adaptada a las condiciones locales), vienepagado un premio por las pieles con unmínimo de daño, ya que vienen utilizadascomo tapicería para los coches, lo querepresenta un importante valor añadido. Lacalidad de la carne y la facilidad para el partoson otros de los facotres importantesconsiderados en el momento de cruzar la razaNguni con razas europeas.

Las razas indígenas ovinas vienenutilizadas a menudo para desarrollar loscomponentes de resistencia, lo que ayuda a suconservación. Mientras que las Boer han sidoexportadas ampliamente, ya que vienessolicitadas por su producción de carne; esseguramente la única raza caprinaseleccionada en el mundo por su carne.

Adding value to South African landrace breedsconservation through utilisation*

K. Ramsay1, M. Smuts2 & H. C. Els3

1Registrar of Livestock Improvement and Identification, National Department ofAgriculture, Private Bag X 138, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

2Animal Nutrition and Products Institute, Private Bag X 2, Irene 1675, South Africa3P O MEDUNSA, Pretoria, South Africa

*Paper presented at the Rare Breeds InternationalMini Symposium "Characterisation of small

populations of farm animal genetic resources withspecial initiatives and value added traits" held in

Zurich, Switzerland 20 August 1999

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10Adding value to S.A. landrace breeds

Las razas indígenas porcinas son capacesde generar un buen ingreso y representanalternativas satisfactorias a las razasmodernas.

Key words: Nguni cattle, Tick tolerance, Beefquality, Indigenous sheep and goats, Indigenouspig.

Introduction

The long-term future of any breed of farmanimal depends largely on its commercialvalue - and/or its ability to meet specificneeds through sometimes unique traits. Thisapplies particularly to many indigenous

Figure 1. A typical Nguni bull.

Figure 2.Cow productivity (kg weaner per LSU mated) of breeds participating inthe National beef performance testing scheme (Matjuda& Scholtz, 1995).

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landraces that are often perceived as havingno real commercial value.

In recent years, global animal agriculturehas seen the virtual disappearance of anumber of breeds - mainly because they wereunable to ‘compete’ with improved breedsand composites.

These are often conserved by enthusiastsand conservationists - some of whom areaware of the importance of maintaining asmuch biological diversity as possible - as wellas the fact that many have unique traits thatare becoming increasingly important inmodern animal breeding.

Long - term conservation of farm animalgenetic resources will, however, dependlargely on the commercial value of the breedsconcerned. It is therefore important tocapitalise on any traits that will make a breedan economically viable alternative to moremodern breeds and composites.

South Africa has a number of landracebreeds that fall in the above categories.Relatively small carcass size, non-uniformcolour patterns and a general lack ofinformation on production potential even ledto traditional owners changing to often lessadapted exotic and composite breeds. Thesebreeds are, however, often-viable alternatives.All that is needed is a value-added approach.

Adding Value to Nguni Cattle

Nguni cattle were perceived to be inferior toother cattle breeds, largely due to theiroften-smaller size and varied colour patterns

(Figure 1). This situation has changed.Information on the potential of the breed andthe establishment of a breed societycontributed in a big way - but it will be theunique characteristics and added advantagesof this cattle breed that will guarantee itslong-term stability and survival.

Indigenous breeds are not always the bestoption under optimal conditions. This canclearly be seen in Figure 2 where the cowproductivity of breeds participating in theNational performance testing scheme iscompared by measuring kg weaner producedper Livestock Unit mated. (Matjuda &Scholtz, 1995).

In this graph, the Nguni compares fairlywell with most breeds - but there are breedsthat are more efficient under optimalconditions.Including other factors such as cost savingwith stock remedies, however, changes thesituation.

Tick Tolerance

Work done at the Animal ImprovementInstitute farm, Loskop South clearly showedwhat effect tick infestation had on weaningweight (Table 1). The potential cost savingshould be added to a projected hide value. Apremium is paid for hides with minimal tickdamage as these are used for car upholstery.

South Africa has a lucrative contract with aGerman car manufacturer based largely onhide quality.

Table 1. Tick infestation and the effect on weaning weight ( Scholtz et al., 1991).

Hereford Bonsmara NguniNumber of one-hostticks

3 137 2 030 431

Number of multi-host ticks

164 164 82

Difference inweaning weightbetween dipped andnot dipped

29.5 kg 17.6 kg 4.4 kg

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Hide and ColouringCharacteristics

The Nguni has a relatively thin hide and, asalready mentioned, minimum tick damageplaces a premium on the leather.

The colouring characteristics offer widescope for a range of products - from hair-intact hides for floor and wall covering tohandbags, briefcases and even fashiongarments (jackets)

The fact that the Nguni often has asymmetrical colour pattern (e.g. red andwhite Nkone) is an added advantage when itcomes to fashion garments, floor coveringsand wall hangings. Hides are currently beingsold for between US$200 and US$300.

Another added advantage of the variety ofcolour patterns is ecotourism. The Tswaiingproject near Onderstepoort has a Nguni herdas part of the tourist attraction. Mkhaya inSwaziland is another example of where theNguni has added value to an Ecotourismventure - thereby adding value to the Ngunias well as a potential tourist attraction.

This aspect could be put to good use inrural areas with ecotourism potential - itcould also be linked to the sale of hides andleather products. This would be an addedincentive for stockowners in these areas toretain pure Ngunis.

Quality Beef

Naude (1975) showed that well finishedSanga cattle are capable of fetching topgrades. Work done by Swanepoel (1989) andStrauss (1993) came to similar conclusions butincluded observations on quality and taste aswell. The work done by Swanepoel (1989)compared breeds and the Afrikaner and theNguni fared the best as far as quality andtaste was concerned (with the Afrikanerslightly ahead on taste and preference)

Lepen (1993) compared both feedlot andveld production of beef from Drakensberger,Brahman and Nguni cattle and showed thatveld-finished Ngunis were capable of fetchingtop grades.The value of this work lies in two directions:1) Using the Nguni as a dam line for

industrial crossing for feedlot purposes -combining the beef quality potential of theNguni with the feedlot potential of breedslike the Devon, Simmentaler andCharolais.

2) Branded beef finishing under extensivegrazing conditions beef with little to no useof chemicals (dip) and stock remedies(largely antibiotics). A quality product for aniche market with export potential.

Table 2. Preweaning and feedlot performance of Nguni-Charolais crosses and pureNguni, Charolais and Simmentaler breeds (Scholtz, 1992).

Trait Nguni Nguni-Char Char SimmentalBirth weight(kg)

27 34 47 39

Weaningweight (kg)

186 219 223 221

ADG (kg) 1 121 1 652 1 775 1 655FCR 7.5 6.4 6.6 7.0ADG- Average daily gainFCR - Feed conversion rate

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Ease of Calving

Although this characteristic is welldocumented, the advantages are seldomexploited as well as they could.Table 2 shows the preweaning and feedlotperformance of Nguni - cross Charolaiscrosses and some other breeds. TheNguni - cross Charolais compares well withthe pure Charolais and Simmentaler breeds inthe feedlot and has the added advantage of aslightly better feed conversion rate.

The Nguni can be used effectively as adam line to breed weaners for the feedlot.This can be further exploited to breed‘custom-weaners’.

Research has shown that the Nguni doesnot even experience calving difficulties whencrossed with the largest beef breed in theWorld, the Chianina. Any breed can safely beused as a sire line - with the possibleexception of the double muscled breedswhere additional research may be needed.

Using this, it would be possible tocustom-breed a feedlotter using a sire breedthat finishes well of a specific ration/feedtype and also a breed known for specificcharacteristics such as marbling and lean beef.

Industrial crossing for finishing underextensive grazing conditions could also beexploited in this way, using the Nguni as adam line and using a large frame beef breedwith specific characteristics.

An example of this could be theRomagnola breed from Italy that is almost aslarge as the Chianina, but is potentially abetter converter of low quality roughage.

These unique characteristics manifestthemselves in many ways, but they could beexploited more by concentrating on minimumcare and ease of handling.

Adding value to the Nguni will ensure thatit can compete. The value is there, it justneeds to be exploited effectively.

Figure 3. A Black Headed Persian ram – typical fat-rumpedsheep.

Table 3. Average market carcass weights (kg) ofsome South African indigenous and compositelandrace sheep breeds (Source: Snyman, 1998).

Breed Carcass weightMutton Merino 22Namaqua Afrikaner 18Afrino (Merino x Afrikaner ) 20Persian (Somali ) 13Dorper ( Dorset x Persian ) 18Damara 17


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Table 4. Adding value to indigenous sheep - economically useful characteristics.

Characteristic Added valueQuality skin In demand for fashion items and garmentsParasite tolerance Less damage to skin - lower maintenance costs -

stock remediesFat tail Sold as a delicacy - or as an ingredient for

locally made meat products ( fresh and driedsausage)

Residue-free meat ; qualitymeat

Capitalise on the market for healthy meat aswell as a branded (local sheep) mutton.

Table 5. Adding value to goats - economically useful characteristics.

Characteristic ValueResistance to heartwater(Cowdria)

Lower mortalities ; minimaluse of stock remedies

Tick tolerance Less damage to skin ; minimaluse of stock remedies

Quality skin In demand for fashion itemsand garments

Capacity for crossbreeding - milk Potential to develop hardycomposite milk producers

Capacity for crossbreeding -cashmere

Quality cashmere as an addedproduct

Capacity for crossbreeding - meat Can be used to breed a morehardy meat producer in areaswhere pure Boer goats areunable to survive withoutadditional management andremedy inputs

Table 6. Down fibre quality and quantity in South African double coated breeds and types.

Boer goat Savannah Unimproved Gorno AltaiDowndiameter (µ)

16-18.5 16.0-18.5 14.0-16.5 18.5-19.0

Down length(mm)

20-31 20-31 15-30 18.5-19

Down crimp good good good PoorDown style good good good PoorDown weight(g)

10-50 10-50 5-15 100-500

Down yield(%)

50-70 50-70 60-80 50-70

Down colour white andwhite/colour

white white andwhite/colour

brown

Source: CSIR Textile Research Institute.

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Figure 4. A typical kolbroek pig a lard-type as opposed to theleaner windsnyer breed/type.

Adding Value to IndigenousSheep

South African indigenous sheep landracesinclude fat-tailed (Pedi, Damara, Zulu,Afrikaner) and fat-rumped varieties (Persian).In comparison to some of the locallydeveloped composite landraces such as theDorper (Dorset Horn - Persian) and theAfrino (Afrikaner- Merino), these breeds havea smaller carcass and have also beendowngraded in the past as a result of the fattail - or fat rump.

Although not always seen as avalue-added advantage, indigenous landracesare often used to develop hardy composites.This often helps conserve a pure nucleus.

The average market carcass weights ofsome of the pure and composite sheeplandraces in South Africa illustrate this(Table 3).

Farming with pure indigenous sheepbreeds can be made more profitable byconsidering the table 4.

Adding Value to IndigenousGoats

The South African Improved Boer goat is anexample of what can be achieved by

improving an indigenous breed for a specificpurpose. The Boer goat is in demand in anumber of countries for use as ameat-producing goat and genetic material hasbeen exported to Canada, the USA, Australiaand New Zealand.

The wide variety of unimproved goats aregenerally regarded as having little to noeconomic value, and some ecotypes couldbecome endangered fairly shortly as a resultof this perception.

Value can be added to these goats bycapitalising on one or more of the traitsshown in table 5.

Cashmere could become a usefulvalue-added product and initial trials haveshown that South African indigenous goatsproduce good quality cashmere. Selection forhigher production could lead to thedevelopment of a multi-purpose goat - meat,milk and cashmere (Table 6).

Adding Value to IndigenousPigs

South Africa has two basic indigenous pigbreeds - a short-snouted ‘kolbroek’ and alonger snouted ‘windsnyer’. Both are oftenseen as less efficient than the more modern


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pig breeds and their tendency to put onexcess fat is also seen as a disadvantage.

Despite these perceptions, these breeds arecapable of generating a good income and are,in fact, viable alternatives to more modernbreeds under certain circumstances.

Concluding Remarks

The survival of a breed lies in numbers anddiversity. Adding value will ensure thatlandrace breeds can compete with otherbreeds as viable alternatives to certainfarming systems.

Many stock owners are, however, unawareof the potential these breeds have for addingvalue It is therefore important to have asmuch information available at all farmsystems levels to enable stock owners to makean informed choice.

More attention should therefore be givento conservation through utilisation and theeconomic potential of breeds should beincluded in any characterisation studies.

References

CSIR Textile Research Centre. 1998.Personal communication.

Lepen, J.M. 1993. Research notes andpersonal communication.

Matjuda, E.L. & Sholtz, M.M. 1995.Personal communication and data on cowproductivity from the National Beef CattlePerformance Testing Scheme.

Naude, R.T. 1975. Voorlopige verslag:Sekere gegewens in verband met devleisproduksie eienskappe van Nguni,Afrikaner en Fries bulle en osse. NIVS, Irene,1975.

Scholtz, M.M., Spickett, A.A.,Lombard, P.E. & Enslin, C.B. 1991. The effectof tick infestation on the productivity of cowsof three breeds of cattle. Onderstepoort J. Vet.Res. 58, 71.

Scholtz, M.M. 1992. Personalcommunication - terminal crossbreedingresults.

Snyman, G. 1998. Personalcommunication.

Strauss, H.B. 1993. Research notes andpersonal communication

Swanepoel, J. 1989. Die karkas - envleisgehalte - eienskappe van jong intensiefgevoerde Afrikaner, Nguni en Pedibulle.M.Sc. Thesis - University of Pretoria, 110 pp.

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Youssao et al.

AGRI 2000, 27: 17-25

Résumé

Les performances zootechniques de la raceN’Dama ont été déterminées de 1994 à 1997 àpartir du noyau reconstitué en 1993 dans lecadre de l’amélioration génétique des raceslocales à la Ferme Elevage de l’Okpara auBénin. Les poids moyens à la naissance, à 6,12 et 24 mois sont respectivement 17.4, 55.6,95.9 et 158 kg. La vitesse de croissance de lanaissance à 12 mois est de 215 g/j. Excepté lepoids à la naissance, le poids et lesmensurations corporelles sont largement endessous de ceux obtenus chez la race dansson berceau. L’intervalle de vêlage a été de413±54 jours, l’âge moyen au premier vêlage aété situé à 48 mois ± 33 jours, et le tauxmoyen de fécondité à 84.3%. Les naissancess’observent d’octobre à janvier avec unemortalité variant selon les années de 0 à 8.1%chez les jeunes. Aucun cas de mortalité n’a étéenregistré chez les adultes. En somme, il estremarqué que l’expression phénotypique descaractères de productions de la N’Dama estlimitée dans le ranch de l’Okpara.

Summary

The zootechnical performances of the N’damabreed were measured from 1994 to 1997, inthe breed nucleous formed in 1993 with thepurpose of geneticaly improving the localbreed at Okpara breeding farm in Benin. Theaverage weights at birth, 6, 12 and 24 monthswere respectively 17.4, 55.6, 95.9, and 155 kg.

The average daily gain from birth to 12 monthis 215 g/d. Except for the weight at birth, theweight and body measurements are largelybelow those reported in its origin. The calvinginterval was estimated in 413 days and themean age at first calving was 48 months± 33 days, the average fertility was 84.3%. Thebirths were observed from October to January,with a calf mortality of 8.19%. No case ofmortality was recorded in adults. All thingsconsidered, it is noticed that the phenotypicexpression of production traits in N’dama ismodest in the ranch of Okpara.

Mots-clés: N’Dama, Poids, Mensurations,Reproduction, Mortalité, Bénin

Introduction

La trypanotolérance de la race N’Dama est unfacteur favorable à son développement dansles régions tropicales chaudes et humidesinfestées par la glossine. De part sa vitesse decroissance, sa conformation et son aptitudebouchère, la N’dama est la plus importantedes races trypnotolérantes. Elle se rencontreen Afrique occidentale, notamment enGuinée, au Sénégal, en Sierra Léone, au Maliet en Côte d’Ivoire, puis dans certains pays del’Afrique centrale (Congo et Républiquedémocratique du Congo). Tenant compte deses performances, elle a été l’objet desprogrammes d’amélioration génétique desCentres de recherche zootechnique dans la

Introduction de la race bovine N’Dama à laFerme Elevage de l’Okpara au Bénin. Quelques

performances zootechniques

A.K.I. Youssao1, A. Ahissou2 & Z. Toure2

1Université de Liège, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Département degénétique, 20 Bd de Colonster, B43 4000, Liège, Belgique

2Direction de L’élevage, Projet pour le Développement de l’Elevage, FermeElevage de l’Okpara BP 33, Parakou, Bénin

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18La race bovine N'Dama

plupart des pays d’Afrique occidentalecomme le Mali, la Côte d’Ivoire et le Sénégal(Pagot, 1985 ; Hoste, 1983 ; Planchnault, 1984).Au Bénin, la race N’Dama a été introduitevers 1952 à la Ferme expérimentale del’Okpara dans le but d’améliorer les racesbovines locales (Borgou, Somba et Pabli) parcroisement avec la N’Dama importée de laGuinée, du Sénégal et de la Côte d’Ivoire. Cetessai d’amélioration s’est soldé par un échecpar manque de suivi après la phase du projet(Sanoussi, 1993).

Financée à nouveau en 1990 par la BanqueAfricaine de Développement (BAD) dans lecadre du Projet pour le Développement de laProduction Animale (PDPA) phase II,actuellement Projet pour le Développementde l’Elevage (PDE), le noyau de N’Dama a étéreconstitué en 1993 suite à l’introduction de22 nouvelles têtes dans le troupeau initial endégénérescence.

Le but de ce travail est de déterminerquelques caractéristiques zootechniques de larace bovine N’Dama dans un biotope autreque son aire de distribution géographiqueafin d’étudier la possibilité d’un croisementavec les races autochtones aussi bien dans lesfermes d’Etat qu’en élevage traditionnel. Leseul autre example comparable est celui duRanch d’Okouma (OGAPROV), à Franceville,Gabon ; des N’Dama d’origine du Sénégal etdu Congo (Kinshasa) ont été introduites avecsuccès dans le début des années 70(Boyazoglu, 1984).

Matériel et Methode

Le cheptel bovin N’Dama à la Ferme Elevagede l’Okpara a été estimé à 32 têtes avant lerepeuplement en 1993. Il était composé de11 vaches, 7 génisses, 5 velles, 2 taureaux,2 taurillons et 5 veaux. Courant cette année,20 génisses, 1 taureau et 1 taurillon ont étéintroduit à l’effectif initial. Le suivi desanimaux s’est déroulé de 1994 à 1997.

Milieu d’étude

Créée depuis 1952, la ferme Elevage del’Okpara couvre 33 000 hectares dont à peine

5 000 hectares sont exploités. Elle estimplantée au Bénin dans le Département duBorgou, Sous- Préfecture de Kika et située à15 km à l’Est de la ville de Parakou, chef lieudu Département du Borgou. Elle est compriseentre 2°39 et 2°53 de longitude Est et 9°6 à9°21 de latitude Nord.

Le climat est de type soudanien avec unealternance d’une saison pluvieuse (mai àoctobre) et une saison sèche (novembre àavril) marquée par l’harmattant (décembre àfévrier). La pluviométrie est de 1 200 mmenviron.

Le relief est constitué d’une pénéplainecristalline comportant des collines à rochesdures. De grandes dépressions s’observent,permettant ainsi la mobilisation des eaux depluie vers le fleuve Okpara et son affluent laDama, principale sourced’approvisionnement en eau de boisson pourle bétail.

Le sol de texture sableuse, sablo-argileuseou limoneuse par endroit supporte unevégétation de savane. Celle-ci est affectéechaque année par les feux de brousse.

Mode d’élevage

Le mode d’élevage est de type semi-amélioré.Les animaux passent la journée au pâturageet la nuit dans un parc (figure 1) munid’abreuvoirs et mangeoires. L’alimentationest basée sur l’exploitation du pâturagenaturel et les prairies artificielles. Ce pâturagefinit par brûler et les parcours naturels restentnus pendant les quatre premiers mois del’année. Seuls les bas-fonds et les abords descours d’eaux de l’Okpara et de ses affluentsoffrent un fourrage vert très peu abondant.Les animaux bénéficient également desrésidus de récoltes issus des champs decultures. La complémentation en ensilage(Brachiaria ruziziensis et Stylosanthès sp), foin(Brachiaria ruziziensis), et graines de coton a eulieu pendant la période de soudure de janvierà avril, et les animaux les plus nécessiteux,ont été les vaches allaitantes, veaux avant etpendant le sevrage.

Pendant la saison pluvieuse, c’est-à-dire demai à octobre, les parcours naturels

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repoussent et le pâturage est abondant. Lesgraminées sont rabougries sur les parcourssurpâturés pendant la saison sèche tandis quesur les zones non exploitées elles sont degrande taille, et transformées en paille. Demanière générale, les herbes se transformenten paille en novembre et en décembre.

Le système de reproduction est la montelibre et le suivi sanitaire est basé sur laprévention : déparasitage interne, vitamines,oligo-éléments, trypanoprévention, etvaccinations contre la Pasteurellose, la Pestebovine et le charbon bactéridien. A tout celas’ajoutent les traitements spécifiques.

Méthodologie

Les animaux utilisés sont issus du noyaureconstitué de race N’Dama (figure 2) dontl’effectif a été de 58 en 1994, 71 en 1995, 74 en1996 et 90 en 1997. Le matériel de travailutilisé est constitué de couloir de contention,d’un pulvérisateur pour le déparasitage des

animaux, d’une bascule pèse bétail, dumatériel de clinique et d’une fiche de suivicomportant les renseignements suivants :• numéro de l’animal ;• numéro de la mère;• mois de naissance;• année de naissance;• âge de sa mère au vêlage;• rang de vêlage occupé par l’animal;• sexe;• intervalle de vêlage;• poids à la naissance;• poids mensuel de 1 à 24 mois.

Tous les veaux ont été pesés à la naissance età la fin de chaque mois jusqu’à l’âge de24 mois. Les poids à âge type sont enregistrésdans la fiche de suivi, ainsi que les donnéescontenues dans celle-ci.

Concernant les mesurent corporelles,l’instrument de mesure utilisé pour lepérimètre thoracique et la longueur scapulo-ischiale a été le mètre ruban gradué en

Figure 1. Parc de nuit du troupeau N’dama à la Ferme Elevage de l’Okpara au Bénin.


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20

La

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am

a

Tableau 1. Evolution pondérale et vitesse de croissance de la N'Dama à la Ferme de l'Okpara.

Paramètres Sexe Effectif Moyenne(kg)

Ecartype Paramètre Sexe Effectif Moyenne(g/j)

Ecartype

Poids à lanaissance

M 11 17.63 1.22 GQM 0-6 M 11 190.9 66.15

F 21 17.23 1.67 F 21 223.2 56.4M et F 32 17.37 1.52 M et F 32 212.1 61.68

Poids à six mois M 11 52 12.51 GQM 6-12 M 9 243.15 62.33

F 21 57.41 11.22 F 16 205.24* 59.32M et F 32 55.55 11.76 M et F 25 229.51* 62.82

Poids à 12 mois M 9 100.31** 9.05 GQM 0-12 M et F 9 215.26 46.56

F 16 88.16** 18.15M et F 25 95.94 14.49

Poids à 24 mois M et F 9 158 17.24

GQM 0-6 : Gain quotidien moyen de la naissance à 6 mois M : mâleGQM 6-12 : Gain quotidien moyen de 6 à 12 mois F : femelleGQM 0-12 : Gain quotidien moyen de la naissance à 12 mois* différence significative entre le mâle et la femelle (p<0.01)** différence significative entre le mâle et la femelle (p<0.001)

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centimètre. Le périmètre thoracique a été prisen arrière des épaules et juste derrière lapointe du coude sur l’animal en expirationtout en veillant à ce que le ruban ne présentepas de torsion. Quant à la longueur scapulo-ischiale, la mesure a été faite de la pointe del’épaule à la tubérosité ischiale lorsquel’animal est immobilisé.

La hauteur au garrot a été mesurée par unecanne - toise tenue verticalement à côté d’unepatte antérieure de l’animal. Le tube à niveauassocié à la canne - toise a été posé sur legarrot de l’animal juste en arrière de la bosse.La hauteur est notée au lieu d’application dutube sur la canne dès que l’angle droit a étéobtenu entre la canne et le tube à niveau.

Toutes ces mesures ont été enregistrées surune fiche comportant le numéro, le sexe, l’âgeet le poids réel de l’animal, ainsi que sonpérimètre thoracique, sa longueurscapulo-ischiale et sa hauteur au garrot.

Les analyses statistiques ont été faites àl’aide des logiciels SAS (Statistical AnalysisSystem) et Excel 97.

Résultats et Discussion

Croissance pondérale

Le tableau 1 récapitule le poids à la naissance,à 6, à 12 et à 24 mois, ainsi que les différentsgains moyens quotidiens de la N’Dama. Lepoids moyen à la naissance a été estimé à17.4 kg, et les mâles ont été plus lourds queles femelles. Cette tendance s’inverse à sixmois avec un poids moyen pour tous sexesconfondus de 55.5 kg. Ainsi, le gain quotidienmoyen entre la naissance et six mois a été de212.1 g/j. En côte d’Ivoire, le poids à lanaissance du veau N’Dama est de 17.6 kgchez le veau et 16.6 kg chez la femelle (FAO,1995). Ces poids sont très proches de ceuxobtenus à la Ferme de l’Okpara. Chez laN’Dama de grande taille au Sénégal, les mâleset les femelles ont eu respectivement 18 et

Figure 2. Troupeau N’dama à la Ferme Elevage de l’Okpara au Bénin.


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17 kg de poids à la naissance (FAO, 1995). Parcontre, en élevage extensif au Mali, les mâlesont un poids de 15.4 kg et les femelles, 14.8 kg(Planchnault, 1984). A 6 mois, le poids moyendu veau est beaucoup plus important chez laN’Dama en élevage semi-intensif au Centrede recherche zootechnique de MinankroBouaké en Côte d’Ivoire ; il est égal à 89.8 kgchez le mâle et 84.3 kg chez la femelle (Pagot,1985).

Le poids moyen des jeunes a été estimé à95.9 kg à 12 mois et 158 kg à 24 mois. Lavitesse de croissance pondérale entre 6 et12 mois a été de 229.5 g/j et 215.3 g/j de lanaissance à 12 mois. Ces différents poids sontbeaucoup moins importants que ceux obtenuspar Coulomb en 1976 au Mali et en Côted’Ivoire où les jeunes bovins N’Dama ont euun poids de 129.7 kg pour le mâle et 120.7 kgpour la femelle à 12 mois. De même, à24 mois, les mâles ont pesé 227.4 kg et lesfemelles 190.9 kg. La N’Dama accuse unretard de croissance très important à la FermeElevage de l’Okpara que dans son berceau enCôte d’Ivoire ou au Mali. Ce retard s’exprimepar une vitesse de croissance assez faible(212.1 g/j) pendant les six premiers mois quisuivent la naissance contre 375 g/j pour lesixième mois (Coulomb, 1976).

Mensurations corporelles

Les mensurations corporelles à 6, 12 et24 mois sont indiquées dans le tableau 2. Lesvariables prises en compte ont été: lepérimètre thoracique, la hauteur au garrot etla longueur scapulo-ischiale. Tout comme lepoids et la vitesse de croissance, lesmensurations obtenues sont inférieures àcelles de la même race en Côte d’Ivoire et auMali (Coulomb, 1976; Planchnault, 1984).

Reproduction

Dans les conditions d’élevage semi-amélioréepratiquée à la Ferme d’Elevage de l’Okpara,les vaches et les génisses ont été laissées enpermanence en présence des taureaux. Ainsi,le tableau 3 regroupe le résultat de quelquesperformances de reproduction de la race

N’Dama dans le ranch de l’Okpara.L’intervalle de vêlage a été de 413.4 jours.L’âge moyen au premier vêlage a été situé à48 mois ±10 jours. Le taux de fécondité a variéde 69.2 à 96% de 1994 à 1997 avec unemoyenne de 84.3%. Le taux le plus bas a étéobservé en 1997 à cause des épizooties de lafièvre aphteuse et de la dermatose nodulairequ’a connu le troupeau pendant la période desaillies en 1996. En 1994, 50% des naissancesont eu lieu en novembre et en 1995, 76.5% desnaissances ont été enregistrées d’octobre àdécembre. Quant aux années 1996 et 1997, lespics de naissances ont été enregistrées enjanvier, novembre et décembre pour lepremier (61.90%) et juillet août et septembrepour le second (50%). Le regroupement desnaissances s’observe pendant les mois secs(octobre à janvier), correspondant ainsi à unesaillie fécondante de février à mai. Toutefois,les mise-bas ont été enregistrées vers la fin dela saison des pluies en 1997. La durée de lagestation n’a pas été déterminée parce que lamonte n’a pas été dirigée; enfin, aucunedifficulté de vêlage n’a été observée.

Au Centre de recherche zootechnique deMinankro en Côte d’Ivoire, selon Coulomb(1976), l’âge au premier vêlage se situait à35 mois 17 jours ± 29 jours. Cet âge a étéprécoce par rapport à celui observé à la FermeElevage de l’Okpara. Aussi, le taux defécondité oscillait, selon les années, entre 82 et95% avec une moyenne sur 14 annéesconsécutives (1956-1969) de 88.5±3.2%, et lapériode la plus favorable pour les naissancesest d’octobre à janvier dans les conditionsclimatiques de la Côte d’Ivoire. Enfin,l’intervalle de vêlage a été de 420±9 joursselon le même auteur.

Mortalité et taux d’exploitation

Aucune mortalité n’a été enregistrée chez lesveaux en 1995 et en 1997, puis chez lesadultes durant toute la période de suivi(1994-1997). En 1994, le taux de mortalité desjeunes a été de 8%, et 8.1% en 1996. Cesmortalités sont dues aux épizooties de lafièvre aphteuse et de la dermatose nodulairebovine qui ont sévi pendant ces périodes.

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23

An

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Tableau 2. Mensurations des jeunes N'Dama.

Ferme de l'Okpara Mensurations des mâles enCôte d'Ivoire*

Mensuration de femelles en Côted'Ivoire*

Paramètres Age(mois)

Efectif Moyenne(cm)

Ecartype Efectif Moyenne(cm)

Ecartype Efectif Moyenne(cm)

Ecartype

PT 6 30 87,8 2,9 190 103,3 1,1 189 101,4 1

12 20 108,5 3,1 155 117,3 1,2 154 114,7 1,2

24 9 125 2,2 108 143,4 1,5 120 135,4 1,4

HG 6 30 75,8 4,2 190 85,2 0,7 189 83,6 0,7

12 20 85,2 3,7 154 94,4 0,8 154 92,2 0,7

24 9 98,48 3,8 108 108 0,8 120 104 0,8

LSI 6 30 82,1 2,9 190 95,3 1,1 189 93,2 1

12 20 98,3 1,1 155 107,6 1,1 154 105,3 1

24 9 112,6 1,5 108 128,6 1,2 120 121,9 1,3

PT: Périmètre thoracique.HG: Hauteur au garrot.LSI: Longueur scapulo-ischiale.*Source: Coulomb, 1976.

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Le taux d’exploitation concerne lesanimaux vendus, sortis ou ayant fait l’objet dedon. Il s’agit des vaches en fin de carrière dereproduction, des taurillons surnuméraires etautres en cas de nécessité. Ces taux sont de7.7, 5, 16.3 et 2.0% respectivement pour lesannées 1994, 1995, 1996 et 1997. Le tauxd’exploitation est plus important en 1996 àcause des sorties effectuées lors de l’épidémiede la dermatose nodulaire.

Taux de croît

Le taux de croît dénote la croissance dutroupeau par rapport à l’effectif du début del’année. La croissance la plus spectaculaire aété observée en 1995 soit 89.5%, contre 21.6%en 1997 et 4.2% en 1996.

Conclusion

Les performances pondérales et corporellesde la race N’Dama à la Ferme Elevage del’Okpara sont largement en dessous desrésultats escomptés. De même, l’âge aupremier vêlage est beaucoup plus importantque celui observé dans le berceau de la race.L’adaptation de ces animaux doit sepoursuivre pendant quelques années afin depouvoir dégager des résultats plus concluantset définitifs. La race Borgou sélectionnée à laFerme Elevage de l’Okpara, présente desperformances pondérales et unetrypanotolérance presque analogues à celles

de la race N’Dama dans son berceau. LeBénin a des effectifs très importants de quatreraces bovines (Zébu, Borgou, Somba etLagunaire) dont chacune occupe un biotopedéterminé, et par conséquent, il y a unegrande possibilité et facilité d’adaptation dansl’aire de distribution géographique de la racevoisine. Dans les zones de contact entredifférentes races, s’observent des croisementsanarchiques qui devraient être contrôlés etsuivis selon un programme local, régional ounational d’amélioration génétique.

Remerciements

Les auteurs remercient : Leroy L. P.,Detilleux J., Berghmans S., Banga M’Boko H.,Meuron M., le personnel de la Ferme Elevagede l’Okpara, du Projet pour leDéveloppement de l’Elevage dans le Borgouet de la génétique quantitative de la Facultéde Médecine Vétérinaire de l’Université deLiège pour leur contribution.

Bibliographie

Boyazoglu, J. 1984. Données nonpubliées.

Coulomb, J, 1976. La race N’Dama:quelques performances zootechniques. Rev.Elev. Méd vét. Pays trop., 29 (4): 367-380.

Tableau 3. Quelques paramètres de reproduction de la race N'Dama.

Paramètres Effectif Moyenne

Fécondité (%) 1994 13 961995 24 89,471996 27 82,351997 25 69,23

Age au premiervêlage (mois)

19 48,13 + 0.33

Intervalle de vêlage(jours)

13 416,38 + 54,48

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FAO, 1995. Recherche dans les bases dedonnées. N’Dama (Côte d’Ivoire, Sénégal etBénin) http://dad.fao.org/cgi-dad. ; FAO,Rome.

Hoste C., L. Cloe, P. Deslandes & J.P.Poivey. 1983. Etude de la production laitièreet de la croissance des veaux de vachesallaitantes N’dama et Baoulé en Côted’Ivoire.II. Relation entre la productionlaitière et la croissance des veaux. Rev. Elev.Méd vét. Pays trop., 36 (2): 207-213.

Hoste C. 1986. L’amélioration génétiquedes races bovines trypanotolérantes. FAO,Ouagadougou, pp. 12.

Pagot, J. 1985. L’élevage en paystropicaux. G.-P. Maisonneuve et Larose etA.C.C.T., France, pp. 526.

Planchnault, D., S.H. Tall &M.T. Traoré. 1984. Amélioration génétiquedes bovins N’Dama : Caractéristiques dubétail N’Dama au ranch de Madina-Diassa.Rev. Elev. Méd vét. Pays trop., 37 (4): 488-495.

Sanoussi I. 1993. Proposition sur laréorientation des activités de la FermeElevage de l’Okpara. Rap.,FEO/PDPA/DE /MDR, Bénin, pp. 4.

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Luparia

AGRI 2000, 27: 27-33

The Sambucana sheep: a project to save a valley

S. Luparia

Slow Food Editore, Via Mendicità Istruita 45, 12042 Bra, Cuneo, Italy

Summary

At the beginning of the 1980’s, Sambucanasheep, which have inhabited a valley in thenorthern Italian region of Cuneo since theEighteenth century, were on the verge ofextinction. In an effort to safeguard the breed,the ‘Comunità Montana’ and local institutes setup a consortium which includesapproximately eighty breeders and hasentrusted the recovery of the breed’s geneticheritage, threatened by repeatedcross-breeding with Biellese sheep, to a ramcentre. The sales of Sambucana lamb, which isa highly prized meat guaranteed by a specificbrand, have increased at the shops in theprovince served by the consortium, andmoreover the economy of mountaincommunities has benefited from theprotection program. A pack of wolvesendangering the summer grazing of the sheepat high altitudes could in the future have anegative effect on the purity of the breed andthe characteristics of the meat.

Résumé

Les brebis “Sambucane”, qui peuplent depuisla fin du dix-huitième siècle l’une des valléesde la région de Cuneo dans le nord de l’Italie,ont risqué de disparaître à la fin desannées ‘80. Grâce à la “Comunità Montana” etaux institutions locales, la sauvegarde de cetterace et de son patrimoine génétique, menacépar de nombreux croisement avec des brebisde race “Biellese”, a été confiée à un syndicatet aux quelque quatre-vingts éleveurs qui yadhèrent; pour rejoindre leur but, ces derniersont mis en place un centre de sélection etd’élevage de béliers “Sambucani”. Les ventesde viande d’agneau “Sambucano”, dont la

qualité garantie par un label n’est plus àprouver, sont en plein essor dans toute laprovince, grâce à l’assidu travail du syndicat.Cet accroissement des ventes et ceprogramme de sauvegarde de la race fontsentir leurs bienfaits sur l’économie rurale desvillages de montagne. Seul la présence d’unebande de loups met en danger l’élevage enétat de semi-liberté, qui à lieu en été sur despâturages de montagne. Ce problèmepourrait cependant avoir des effets négatifssur la pureté future de la race et sur lescaractéristiques de grande valeur de sa chair.

Key words: Sambucana sheep, Conservation,Satura Valley.

Introduction

The Stura valley (in the province of Cuneo,Piedmont, Italy) extends over 60 km, runningEast-West between the Maritime and CottianAlps from Borgo San Dalmazzo (a small townnear Cuneo) to the Colle della Maddalena onthe French border (Figure 1). There areextensive pasture lands on the alpine plains;94% of agricultural land in the valleys, that is52% of the total area, is given over to fieldsand pastures which are used in the main forrearing sheep (Programma di filiera, 1996).The autochthonous breed is the Sambucana,which is thought to have been introduced intothe valley in the Eighteenth century andwhich quickly became adapted to the highgrazing grounds. Also known as ‘Demontina’and classified by some authors amongApennine breeds that are crossed with Frenchbreeds, it is one of the most important of theso-called ‘minor’ breeds. (Tables 1, 2 and 3).

Twenty years ago the FAO was alerted tothe fact that the number of Sambucana sheep

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28Sambucana sheep

Table 1. Body characteristics.

Size Average-LargeHead without horns or wool, slightly ram-like profileEars average size, pointing out sideways, horizontallyNeck on average short and muscularBody long and cylindrical, straight back-lumbar line,

ample diametersRump wide, muscularAbdomen rounded, developed on the averageThighs well-developedLimbs fine, slim, solid, adapted to the environment,

correct perpendicularityTail fine, hanging to hocks, covered in woolFleece pale yellow-white, half-closed; some black

examples with stars on foreheadsWool fine, shiny, fiber 3-5 cm, diameter 30-40 micronTongue,palate

rosy color

Orifices rosy colorHooves yellow-ivory color, compact, very toughBirth wieight 5 kg only child, 4 kg twinsSource: Massimino & Brignone, 1993.

Figure 1. The Stura Valley in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont.


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was diminishing. It acted by declaring thebreed as ‘vulnerable’. In 1981 research by theConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche revealed thatthere were only 1 000 animals of the breed inexistence, divided among about one hundredfarms located at that time (as indeed today),in the mid and high valley (Brignone et al.,1998). In 1984 the number had risen toapproximately 4 900 sheep, but of these only40% were pure Sambucana, with theremaining 60% cross-breeds (RegionePiemonte e Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta,1998). In order to increase birth weight andthe rate of growth, breeders had cross-bredthe race with Biella rams, to the detriment notonly of the adaptability of the sheep to thedifficult mountainous terrain and the climate,with its cold, snow-bound winters and hot,windy summers, but also, and most notably,of the quality and yield of meat and wool.

The cross-bred lambs were indeed larger, yetthe increase in weight was due to their largerbone structure and thicker skin rather than toany increase in the quantity of meat (Brignoneet al., 1998).

In the meantime it became evident in Sturavalley that the disappearance of Sambucanasheep would harm not only the land(abandoned pastures would be overtaken byimpenetrable vegetation covering thecenturies’ old paths within a few seasons), butalso the local economy. Only a strong breed(in summer they climb to pastures above2 000 meters and in winter they make do withhay and makeshift sheepfolds) (Figure 2)could adapt to the limited resources of avalley in which 7 of the 11 communes arehighly marginal, where the breeders are alsofarmers who in summer cannot tend to theiranimals when there is hay making and otherfarm work to be done and who therefore only

Figure 2. Sambucana sheeps in summer pastures above 2 000 meters.


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na

she

ep

Table 2. Biometric measurements (cm) and slaughter characteristics of male Sambucana lambs (n=6).

Height atwithers

Crossheight

Rumplength

Rumpwidth

Trunklength

Chestheight

Chestwidth

Chestgirth

Carcasslength

Thighlength

61 67 24 18 61 24 15 83 70 5460 62 25 18 76 23 15 78 69 5364 66 26 18.50 69 26 18 80 70 57.5065 67 26 21 78 25 17 78 68 6071 73 26 18.50 68.50 29 18 87 73 5962 63 26 19 74 25 15 79 69 56

Average 63.83 66.33 25.50 18.83 71.08 25.67 16.33 80.83 69.83 56.58Source: Massimino & Brignone, 1993.

Table 3. Live weights and biometric measurements of adult Sambucana sheep.

Rams EwesHeight at withers (cm) 80-86 76-80Trunk length (cm) 85-89 77-81Chest girth (cm) 94-106 84-104Weight (kg) 86-94 64-78Source: Regione Piemonte e Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, 1998

Table 4. Slaughterhouse measurements (kg) of male Sambucana lambs (n=6).

Liveweight

Carcassweight

Bloodweight

Intestinesstomachs

Emptyintestines

Skin andfleece

Emptystomach

Intestinalcontents

39.70 23.40 1.60 10.20 4.20 4.20 0.99 6.0036.60 21.20 1.62 9.50 3.20 4.00 0.87 6.3041 25.20 1.87 8.70 3.50 4.70 0.96 5.2042.20 24.20 1.50 9.60 3.70 4.80 1.04 5.9047 26.80 1.70 10.80 3.67 5.80 1.04 7.1338 22.50 2.10 9 3.53 3.70 1.03 5.47

Average 40.75 23.88 1.73 9.63 3.63 4.53 0.99 6.00

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rarely visit their flocks (Brignone, Martini &Musso, 1998).

The Protection Program

In 1985 the Stura valley “Comunità Montana”,the Piedmont Region’s “Servizio Decentrato perl’Agricoltura” and a group of breeders set up aproject to safeguard the Sambucana breed.Three years later two associate organizations,the L’Escaroun consortium (in Langue d’Oc, anintegral part of the local dialect, the termmeans ‘a group of sheep that leave the mainflock to find better grazing’) and the ‘LouBarmaset’ farming cooperative were set up.Experts from the “Comunità Montana” and“Regione” work with the organizations. Atpresent the consortium numbers aroundeighty livestock farms, the majority of whichare small, family-run concerns with no morethan 30-40 sheep.

The most pressing of the project’sobjectives was, however, the recovery of theSambucana sheep’s genetic heritage. This taskwas entrusted to the ram center inPietraporzio, the penultimate commune in thevalley before reaching the border. Each yearthe center buys 80 male lambs aged3-4 months from the member breeders,following careful examination and ensuringthat they were bred from pedigreed ewes andrams. Employees at the center check weightgains and hearth girth in the younger lambsby means of repeated periodic measurements.They also carry out food hygiene checks(including testing blood samples). Once theyhave reached sexual maturity, the animals arelent to the breeders free of charge during thebreeding season which begins in May-June. Inlate autumn they return to the center for thewinter, during which their growth is

Figure 3. A Sambucana ewe with two lambs.


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32Sambucana sheep

monitored and they are appraised geneticallyby means of examining their descendants.The rams which have succeeded in passingon hereditary characteristics remain at thecenter and are redistributed during thefollowing mating season to members, inrotation, to avoid inbreeding (Programma difiliera, 1996; Massimino & Brignone, 1993).Since 1996 a group of Sambucana hoggets hasbeen sent to the Regional Ram Center inSauze d’Oulx (Province of Turin) where theyare performance tested before being returned.

A Register, managed in collaboration withthe Breeders’ Association of the Province ofCuneo, has been set up to fill the gap beforethe breed’s Genealogical Book is drawn up. In1997, the register recorded 3 200 Sambucanaspecimens (100 rams and 3 100 ewes) not onlyfrom the Stura valley but also from nearbyGrana and Gesso, and from the Maira valley(Regione Piemonte e Regione Autonoma Valled’Aosta, 1998).

Another important step in the promotioncampaign was the creation (1992) of the‘Agnello Sambucano garantito’ brand, whichwas recognized by the Italian IndustryMinistry in 1996. The brand certifies theorigin of the lamb and guarantees the qualityand authenticity of the meat. (Figure 3). It alsoextends to assistance in butchering, theorganization of distribution and the provisionof marketing checks so that lambs that are notof the Sambucana breed are not marketedwith the brand in the selected distributionoutlets, particularly in peak periods (Easterand Christmas). In the Stura valley, however,lamb is traditionally eaten before Christmas,from the end of October onwards, whenbutchers sell hoggets (tardoùn) (Table 4). Thisis also the period when the Fiera dei Santi(Feast of Saints), attended by all breeders, isheld in Vinadio. In the past, breeders would

Figure 4. A shelter with the enclosure in an alpine pasture.


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arrive in the village on foot, after walkingthrough the night with their flocks which theycollected from their high pastures. During thefair, the show of reproductive ewes, althoughnot an official review of the breed, bringstogether at least 300 animals each year whichare judged by a jury.

Characteristics of the Meat

Sambucana sheep, with their light boneframework and fine skin, boast yields of meatat slaughter varying between 55 and 65%(Table 4). The compact meat is an attractive,bright red color, has a low fat content (5.4% indried meat) and a high protein content (84%in dried meat), according to analyses carriedout by the Agricultural Faculty at theUniversity of Turin (Massimino & Brignone,1993). These results, coupled with the breed’shigh prolificacy, which varies between 135and 150%, with an average of three deliveriesevery two years, 51% of twin births, and firstdelivery at the age of 12-13 months, make theSambucana one of the most interesting sheepbreeds for meat (Massimino and Brignone,1993; Regione Piemonte e Regione AutonomaValle d’Aosta, 1998).

To enjoy Sambucana meat to the full, theconsortium experts recommend lambs whichweigh over 20 kilos as well as older animals,whose meat must be carefully cut by expertbutchers (Luparia, 1999).

A New Threat

For some years breeders have been reportingattacks on their flocks by wild dogs andwolves. Attacks have become so frequent thatthe feasibility of raising sheep in thesemi-wild, so important for the quality of themeat and the protection of the land, has beenbrought into question. Breeders have beenforced to organize rotas for staying with theirflocks in alpine pastures, to protect themusing sheep dogs and to construct enclosuresin which to keep the sheep, at least at night(Figure 4). Since 1996 the raids of at least12 wolves, which have been counted in a

census, have increased. It is uncertainwhether the wolves come from the Apenninesor whether they crossed the border from theParc de Mercantour, where they werereintroduced a few years ago (Luparia, 1999).

The Region has already set up acommission to deal with compensation forsheep killed by wolves, but the ‘wolfproblem’ must be tackled at its roots. Whyshould sheep, which have always grazedfreely in the valleys, plains and grassy ridges,be forced into enclosed areas? Putting them inpens would be a little like losing the breed asecond time, precisely at the time when theirnumbers have risen, the results of theprotection and promotion campaign havestarted to be seen and the Stura valley hasmade a step forward in safeguarding bio-diversity.

References

Massimino G. & A. Brignone. 1993.Recupero, miglioramento, valorizzazionedella razza ovina Sambucana nella Valle Sturadi Demonte, In: Piemonte Agricoltura, July,19-21.

Regione Piemonte, Comunità MontanaValle Stura. 1996. Programma di filiera per lavalorizzazione della pecora Sambucana e deisuoi prodotti, 1-56.

Brignone A., S. Martini & R. Musso.1998 Gli ovini in Valle Stura, «PiemonteParchi», n. 3, (suppl. 1998), 22-27.

Regione Piemonte e RegioneAutonoma Valle d’Aosta. 1998. La razzaSambucana in Patrimonio zootecnico delPiemonte e della Valle d’Aosta, Torino, 41-44.

Luparia S. 1999. Sambucana, pecoradoc, Slowfood, 1, 14-18

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34Sambucana sheep

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35


Kiec

AGRI 2000, 27: 35-42

Summary

The Polish Wrzosówka is an old breed ofsheep native to Poland. The Wrzosówkasheep restoration programme was begun inPoland in the 1970s. A total of 160 ewes and27 rams, characterised by great variation,formed the foundation stock. Currently, atotal of 1 400 sheep are bred in 8 flocks. ThePolish Wrzosówka is an aseasonal breed(3 lambings per year are possible) and ischaracterised by very high prolificacy of175-180%. It is a furcoat sheep and itshigh-quality pelts are mainly used for velourproduction. The breed has very welldeveloped maternal ability and is welladjusted to harsh environments conditions

Résumé

La brebis Wrzosówka est une vielle race debrebis native de la Pologne. Le programmepour la récupération de cette race acommencé en Pologne dans les années 70. Lestock de départ, caractérisé par une grandevariation, était formé par 160 brebis et27 mâles. Actuellement un total de1 400 brebis sont élevées dans huit troupeaux.La race Wrzosówka est une race nonsaisonière (il est possible d’avoir troismises-bas par an) et se caractérise par sahaute prolificité, environ 175-180%. C’est unebrebis à poils et la haute qualité de sa fourrurefait qu’elle soit souvent utilisée dans laproduction de velour. La race a très biendéveloppé la capacité maternelle et est très

bien adaptée aussi aux environnements àconditions difficiles.

Key words: Wrzosowka sheep, Poland,Conservation, Pelt, Skin, Nucleus

Origins

Polish Wrzosówka sheep descended fromnorthern short-tailed sheep (Ovis brachyuraborealis). They are native to the north-easternborderlands of Poland. The breed enjoyedconsiderable popularity during the SecondWorld War. With 120 000 head, Wrzosówkaconstituted three percent of the sheeppopulation in 1955 (Jelowicki, 1960).

Breeding Programme

The breeding prgrammes introduced duringthat period did not promote small-sizedcoloured-coat sheep. As a result thepopulation of Wrzosowka sheep becamedramatically reduced. When the breedbecame threatened with extinction, theNational Research Institute of AnimalProduction purchased 130 ewes and ten ramsin north-eastern Poland in 1972-1973. Thesewere supplemented with 30 ewes and 17 ramsfrom the Zootechnical Experimental Station of

The productivity of Polish Wrzosówka sheep inconditions of preservation*

W. Kiec

National Research Institute of Animal Production, Department of Sheep andGoat Breeding, Balice near Cracow, Poland

*Paper presented at the Rare BreedsInternational Mini Symposium

"Characterisation of small populations of farmanimal genetic resources with special

initiatives and value added traits" held inZurich, Switzerland 20 August 1999

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36Productivity of Polish Wrzosówka sheep

the National Research Institute of AnimalProduction in Balice. The foundation stock,located at the Zootechnical ExperimentalStation of the National Research Institute ofAnimal Production in Czechnica nearWroclaw, thus consisted of a total of 160 ewesand 27 rams (Zalewska & A. Folta, 1982). Thebreeding material showed great variationwith regard to the appearance, prolificacy,hair coat and coat colour. The main goalaccomplished within the first few years of therecreation programme was to increase thepopulation despite its low reproductiveperformance (flock prolificacy ranging from135 to 150 percent).

Characteristics

According to data collected before theSecond World War (Czaja, 1937), Wrzosówkawas an aseasonal breed, with most of thesheep lambing twice a year giving 70 percentof twins and six percent of triplets andquadruplets. These data were confirmed on asmall private farm located in north-easternPoland (Krupiñski et al., 1988). However, thebreeding material of the National ResearchInstitute of Animal Production in Balice wasvery diversified and partly mixed with theother breeds, which had a clear effect ondecreased prolificacy.

In order to increase the population size,three lambings were carried out at aWrzosówka farm belonging to the NationalResearch Institute of Animal Production, with

the last two being performed within one year(Zalewska & Folta, 1982) (Table 1).

Analysis of the last two lambings showedthat on average a ewe produced 2.86 lambsand reared 2.62. Average fertility of the flockwas 74 percent, which in terms of one ewe inthe flock was 2.13 lambs born and 1.95 lambsreared within a year. The results clearlyindicate that selection should be carried outfor at least twin births and for aseasonality ofoestrus.

The Wrzosówka breed standard waselaborated in 1982 (Zalewska, 1982), largelyon the basis of a breed description providedby Czaja (1937). Principles of the breedingwork were also defined (Radomska, 1982).This programme, with slight changes, is stillimplemented to date. Currently the nucleusflock, located in north-eastern Poland(Zootechnical Experimental Station of theNational Research Institute of AnimalProduction in Siejnik) produces rams for eightfilial flocks. Filial (cooperating) and nucleusflocks produce ewes for replacements in thenucleus flock.

Due to the rapid development of theWrzosówka population in the late 1990s, oneof the cooperating flocks (Prof. AdamSkoczylas Experimental Sheep Farm inZelazna, belonging to the WarsawAgricultural University) also initiated theproduction of rams. These were intendedmainly for cooperating and commercial flocksand to a small extent for the nucleus flock.Consistent implementation of the Wrzosówka

Table 1. Reproductive indices in a flock of Wrzosówka sheep during two lambings in one year.

Type of birth (%)Lambing Date of mating

Fertility(%)

Prolificacy(%) Single Twins Triplets

I 22.6 - 7.8.76 87.9 121.2 80.1 19.5 0.4II 14.2 - 28.3.77 67.4 132.1 64.7 34..5 0.8III 15.10 - 20.11.77 80.3 154.0 45.3 53.0 1.7

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Figure 1. Number of flock and sheep recorded to the flock book entered in the years 1983-1998

Table 2. The analysis of colour distribution of ewes from nucleus flock in Siejnik.

BlackBlack

greyingDark-grey Grey Light grey

Years No.No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

1992 280 4 1.4 8 2.9 120 42.8 138 49.3 10 3.61993 173 - - 7 4.1 72 41.6 91 52.6 3 1.71994 173 3 1.7 6 3.5 70 40.5 91 52.6 3 1.71995 144 4 2.8 4 2.8 58 40.3 77 53.4 1 0.71996 146 6 4.1 2 1.4 45 30.8 92 63.0 1 0.71997 146 7 4.8 - - 31 21.2 104 71.2 4 2.81998 156 - - 8 5.1 27 17.3 105 67.3 16 10.2

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saving programme increased the populationconsiderably to 2 270 sheep. The year 1991witnessed a clear backward tendency in thebreeding of both Wrzosówka sheep and thesheep population as a whole. This resultedfrom the liquidation of many state farms,reducing the number of cooperating flocks tofour and clearly decreasing the population (tobelow 1 500 head) (figure 1).

A slow increase in the population ofbreeding sheep has been observed since then.This was accompanied by the establishmentof a separate population of commercial sheepof about 600 head.

The breed standard specifies that PolishWrzosówka sheep should be of small andharmonious build (Figures 2 and 3). Thetrunk should be short and moderately deep,the rump sloping, the chest fairly welldeveloped, with a forward brisket. A weakconjugation and narrowing behind theshoulders are permissible. The muscles

should be smooth, the tail flattened andcovered with hair, just as the head and legs.In rams, the horns should be widely spacedapart, resembling a spiral. Ewes should bepreferably hornless, the head black andstraight-profiled with short, thin and mobileears. White colouring in the form of a star orarrow is permissible on the frontal bone of thehead. The legs should be black, moderatelylong, thin boned, with few or no posturedefects.

The wool cover should be grey ordark-grey. Black and light-grey cover ispermissible in sheep characterised by highlifetime prolificacy if they produce greyingprogeny (Table 2). The lambs are born black.Their wool cover becomes grey from betweentwo to three to eight to nine months of age(Table 3).

As a result of selection, newly born lambsare slightly heavier than specified by thebreed standard (Tables 4 and 5). Wool should

Figure 2. Wrzosówka ewe.


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Table 3. Analysis of lambs’ coat distribution on the 2nd day after birth in nucleusflock of Siejnik. Lambing 1998.

Proportion of coat colour (%)within different paternal groups

Black Black - greySpotted andred-haired

TotalRamno.

Coatcolour

No. % No. % No. % No. %O565 CS 40 100 - - - - 40 1002619 CS 48 100 - - - - 48 1002709 S 37 86 - - 6 14 43 1002837 CS 39 100 - - - - 39 1001112 JS 31 100 - - - - 31 1001188 CS 33 100 - - - - 33 1001624 S 50 96.2 - - 2 3.8 52 100

X 97.2% X - X 2.8 X 100No. 278 No. - No. 8 No. 286

CS - Black grey; S – Grey; JS - Light grey.

Figure 3. Wrzosówka ram.


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Table 4. Average live weight of lambs in nucleus flock in Siejnik on the2nd day after birth (kg).

1997 1998Singlebirths

Multiplebirths

Singlebirths

Multiplebirths

15 22No.

85 133 3.0 3.7

MalesX

2.6 3.122 22

N72 109

2.8 3.4Females

X 2.5 2.9

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998Singlebirths

Multiplebirths

Singlebirths

Multiplebirths

Singlebirths

Multiplebirths

Singlebirths

Multiplebirths

Singlebirths

Multiplebirths

26 23 23 15 22No.

54 39 54 81 13311.3 11.7 9.9 8.0 9.0

MalesX

11.1 11.4 9.1 6.9 6.940 35 9 22 22

No.75 35 52 71 109

11.8 10.6 9.7 7.5 7.9Females

X10.7 9.2 9.3 6.4 6.3

be 31-32 µ thick (C). With double-fractionwool, it should be 18-25 µ thick (AA - AB) fordown and 45-60 µ thick (E - EE) formedullated hair. Wool curliness at 1/3 theheight of lock is a characteristic trait. After asix-month regrowth, staple length should be8-12 cm for the medullated fraction and 6-9cm for the downy fraction. Black coarse hair isadmissible on the scrag, dewlap and brisketin ewes and on the back in rams. Shearing istwice yearly due to the possibility of woolfelting and seasonal hair replacement. Annualgreasy wool weight is 3 kg for rams and 2 kgfor ewes.

In addition to Romanov pelts, Wrzosówkapelts are ranked among the best in the world,both for the production of velour sheepskinsand nappa jackets which are in fashion today.They can also be used for the production offurs and coats of the doubleface type. Skinsobtained at the optimum period, i.e. fromlambs aged six to eight months, distinguishthemselves among other pelts by low totalweight (320 g) and low 1 dm2 weight (8.9 g),small thickness in the sacral region (1.2 mm)and on the side (0.80 mm), but their area issmall (36 dm2). They are exceptionally flexibleand have great tensile strength (longitudinal

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ne

tic Re

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rces In

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c

Table 6. Reproductive performance of dams (O-M) and replacement ewes (P) in nucleus flock in Siejnik.

1 9 9 3 1 9 9 4 1 9 9 5 1 9 9 6 1 9 9 7 1 9 9 8

O-M P O-M P O-M P O-M P O-M P O-M P

Total (No.) 165 20 154 19 102 31 95 50 96 44 149 23

Number of lambing ewes (No.) 133 14 135 10 84 20 75 35 86 41 140 21

Fertility (%) 80.6 70.0 87.8 52.6 82.4 64.5 78.9 70.0 89.6 93.2 94.0 91.3

Number of dry ewes (No.) 32 6 19 9 18 11 20 15 10 3 9 2

Dry ewes percentage (%) 19.4 30.0 12.3 47.4 17.7 35.5 26.7 42.8 10.4 6.8 6.0 8.7

Number of lambs born (No.) 181 20 203 15 125 28 122 61 140 59 250 36

Prolificacy percentage (%) 136.1 142.8 150.4 150.0 148.8 140.0 162.7 174.3 163.0 144.0 178.6 171.4

Number of lambs reared (No.) 175 18 174 15 104 28 89 53 125 56 245 34

Lambs’ rearing percentage (%) 96.7 90.0 85.4 100.0 83.2 100.0 72.9 86.9 89.3 95.0 98.0 94.4

Reproductive performance1 (%) 106.0 90.0 113.0 78.9 102.0 90.3 93.7 106.0 130.2 127.3 164.4 147.8

1No. of lambs reared per 100 lambs born.

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strength 14 MPa, lateral strength 12 MPa) andhave normal extensibility of 66 and75 percent. Their skin is compact and hassmooth and homogeneous structure on therough side.

Mixed hair cover of six to eight months oldWrzosówka lambs has a density of 14 fibresper 1 mm2 and average hair cover thickness of31.5 µ (CV = 40%) (Janik et al., 1994). Thecharacteristics of fleece and the many hues ofits natural grey cover make it splendidmaterial for handcrafted and artistic products.

In addition, to the advantages given above,Polish Wrzosówka sheep are, as alreadymentioned, an aseasonal breed and arecharacterised by high-quality meat, goodhealth, longevity and the ability to survive inextreme environmental and climaticconditions.

As a result of long and systematicselection, reproductive performance waslargely improved. This especially concerns thenucleus flock (Kiec, 1998) (Table 6).

As part of an ex situ genetic reserverecreation programme, the National ResearchInstitute of Animal Production in Balice has inits Semen Bank (located at the ZootechnicalExperimental Station in Balice near Cracow)840 semen doses from four Wrzosówka rams.

References

Czaja M. 1937. Studia nad Wrzosówka.PTZ Warszawa.

Janik K., W. Szabla & W. Kiec. 1994.Wrzosówka – rare and valuable Polish heathsheep. International Symposium onConservation Measures for Rare Farm AnimalBreeds. Balice near Cracow, Poland,17-19 May 1994, p. 269–272.

Jelowicki S. Owczarstwo wielkostadne,PWRiL Warszawa, 1960.

Kiec W. 1988 Effect of changes inenvironmental conditions on performance ofWrzosówka sheep. LXIV Zjazd NaukowyPTZ, Kazimierz n/Wisla, - 10.08.1999.

Krupiñski J., W. Kiec, S. Zalewska &K. Janik. 1980 The productivity of peltWrzosówka Sheep under conditions ofpreservation. 31st Annual Meeting of theEuropean Association for Animal Production,Munich, Federal Republic of Germany, 01-04September, 1980.

Radomska M.J. 1982. Zasady pracyhodowlanej nad owca wrzosówkowa. Owcarasy wrzosówka. Wyd. IZ – ZZD Czechnica;37 – 40.

Zalewska S. 1982. Ramowy wzorzecowcy rasy Wrzosówka. Owca rasywrzosówka. Wyd. IZ – ZZD Czechnica; 30-34.

Zalewska S. & A. Folta. 1982. Ocenauzytkowosci rozplodowej i welnistej owiecrasy wrzosówka. Owca rasy wrzosówka.Wyd. IZ – ZZD Czechnica; 3–7.

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AGRI 2000, 27: 43-52

Summary

The improvement programme in Jamunaparigoats was started with the active participationof farmers in two adopted villages and effortshave been made to characterise theperformance of Jamunapari goats in theirhome tract in relation to production,reproduction performance and fieldconditions relating to socio-economic status offarmers. The phenotypic measurements arealso described in the breed in its habitat.Jamunapari is a tall, white and large sizemilch goat breed of India and their numbershave been reducing over the years for variousreasons. The description in relation tohousing, feeding, management, growthparameters, milk yield, parasitic load, bloodpolymorphism and constraints in fieldconditions has been made in detail. Bodyweights at birth, three, six and nine monthswere 2.75 kg, 12.3 kg, 16 kg and 22 kg,respectively. Milk yield at 90 and 150 dayswas 102 and 145 litres, respectively. The peakbreeding season of this goat in fieldconditions is in May-June and twiningpercentage is about 52 percent. The overallmortality in village conditions is about3.7 percent and is mostly due to diarrhea andpneumonia. The mortality was 3.7 percent,1.9 percent, 9.8 percent and 2.0 percent in 0-3 ,3-6, and 6-12 months, and adult goats,respectively over the years. The native goat inits home tract is endangered for severalreasons and utmost care is needed from allangles to save this germplasm.

Résumé

Le programme d’amélioration de la racecaprine Jamunapari a commencé avec laparticipation active des éleveurs de deuxvillages désignés et des efforts ont été faitpour caractériser la performance des chèvresJamunapari dans leur environnement enrelation avec la production, la performance dereproduction et les conditions de terrainvis-à-vis du niveau socio-économique deséleveurs. On décrit également les mesuresphénotypiques de la race dans son habitat. Lachèvre Jamunapari est basse et blanche etc’est la race à lait caprine plus grande auxIndes, bien que son nombre ait été réduit cesdernières années pour différentes raisons. Onprésente en détail la description de laconduite, l’alimentation, la gestion, lesparamètres de croissance, le rendement enlait, la charge parasitaire, le polymorphismedu sang et les contraintes sur le terrain. Lepoids corporel respectivement à la naissance,à trois, à six et à neuf mois était de 2,75 kg;12,3 kg; 16 kg; et 22 kg. Le rendement en lait à90 et 150 jours était de 102 et 145 litres,respectivement. Le pic saisonier de mise-basde cette race caprine dans des conditions dechamps se situe entre mai et juin, et lepourcentage de jumeaux est d’environ 52%.La mortalité globale dans les conditionsvillageoise est d’environ 3,7% et est dueprincipalement à la diarrhée et à lapneumonie. La mortalité pendant l’annéeétait de 3,7%; 1,9%; 9,8% et 2%respectivement pour les âges de 0-3; 3-6 et6-12 mois, et chez les chèvres adultes. Lachèvre native dans son environnement se

Characterisation of Jamunapari goatsin their home tract

P.K. Rout, V.K. Saxena, B.U. Khan, R. Roy, A. Mandal,S.K. Singh & L.B. Singh

Genetics and Breeding Division, Central Institute for Researchon Goats, Makhdoom Farah, Mathura 281 122, U.P, India

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44Jamunapari goats

trouve en danger pour différentes raisons et ilest nécessaire de réaliser un effortsupplémentaire de tout côté pour sauver cegermoplasme.

Key words: Jamunapari goat, Conservation,Characterisation, Management, Phenotypicmeasurements.

Introduction

The Chakarnagar Region of Uttar Pradesh(U.P) is an isolated pocket with a distinctlocally adapted breed, the Jamunapari goat,popularly known as Chambal Queen orlocally known as Chakarnagar Pari.Chakarnagar is bordered by three rivers,Jamuna, Chambal and Kwari and is a veryarid and sandy area where the temperaturevaries from 2-3°C to 40-50°C in this ravenous

delta. Jamunapari is a majestic, tall, white andlarge sized breed and is famous for its milkyield all over the country. White in colour, itsRoman nose, long ears and short horncharacterise this breed. The neck is long, thickand well set. The loin is thick and the tail isshort and curved upward. The ear length in3-6 and 6-12 months, and adult is about20 cm, 25 cm and 29 cm, respectively. Thehorn length is about 11.35 cm and 23.75 cm in6-12 months and adult goats, respectively,and projects backwards. The udder iscapacious, extends forwards and is mainlyglobular and oval shape. Teats are long andmeasure up to 12-14 cm in length. The surveyof the last years revealed that this breed ofgoat is reducing fast in number as well asdeclining in breed characters. The populationof the Jamunapari goat was 8 040 in 1988 andagain decreased to 7 350 in 1991 (surveyreport of the institute). The goats have now

Figure 1. The highly eroded nature of soil in Chakarnagar.

http://dad.fao.org/cgi-dad/$cgi_dad.dll/world?591,asi

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Rout et al.

reduced in number and size and are mostlyoff colour, i.e. black with red coloured spots inthe region of the shoulder. A research anddevelopment programme was started tostudy the physical characterisation of thebreed in its home tract and the productionand reproduction traits of this goat in its ownhabitat. In addition, a full characterisation ofthe conditions in the field, availability for feedand management would also be made.Finally, the programme would develop animprovement project using the research farmherd as a nucleus and the village herds fortest mating and data collection. The CentralInstitute for Research on Goats hasestablished a research and development herdof Jamunapari goats in two villages in itshome tract for conservation and improvementof this breed. The breed improvementprogramme was launched in 1993 under theAll India Coordinated Research Project ongoats and the unit started functioning in thevillages of Chakarnagar, Jagtoli and NaglaKadhori (NK), situated about 10 km fromChakarnagar (Bhattacharya, 1990; FAO andUNEP, 1992).

Habitat

The home tract of Jamunapari goats is in theChakarnagar Block of the Etawah district ofU.P between 26.8°N latitude and 79.3°Elongitude. The Chakarnagar Block is situatedin the ravenous delta made by rivers Jamunaand Chambal and extends up to ravines ofKwari in the District Bhind of M.P. It lies40 km southeast from Etawah town acrossriver Yamuna and spreads over an area of37 725 hectares. Due to the highly erodednature of soil the ground surface is unevenlyundulating forming gullies of 10-150 ft deep(Figure 1). The summers are dry and hot withhighest temperatures reaching up to 48°C.During winter the temperature drops to2-3°C. Annual rainfall is about 70 cm scatteredthroughout the rainy season. The gullies andditches are covered with dense vegetation ofP.juliflora and other drought resistant treeslike Plum (Z. jujuba), Babool (A. nilotica),Chhonkra (P. spicigera), Hingota (B. aegyptica)etc. The main cereal crops are Arhar (C.cacjan), Gram (C. arietinum) and Bajara(P. typhoidium). The main crop is Rabi. Thereare no proper irrigation facilities in this area.

Figure 2. The ravines of Chambal.


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46Jamunapari goats

Management Practices in theHome Tract

Goat rearing is the traditional occupation ofthe farmers in this area. There are about 49families in Nagla Kadhori and 35 in Jagtolivillages. Yadavs are a predominant caste inNagla Kadhori, while Jagtoli has a mixedpopulation. The family size varies from one to29 with an average of 9.4 and 10.9 in NK andJagtoli, respectively. In NK about 33 percent offamilies have land holding of more than fiveacres and 51 percent in the range of one tofive acres. In Jagtoli 60 percent of familieshave in the range of one to five acres and fivepercent more than five acres. All are Hindusby caste and no other religions exist in eithervillage.

The Jamunapari goat population in bothvillages is higher in comparison to otherlivestock and local goats. In addition toJamunapari goats, other livestock such asBarbari and local goats, buffaloes, cattle andcamels also exist in the villages. About34 percent of the Jamunapari goats are with

the richer farmers, i.e. farmers having morethan five acres of land in NK. In Jagtoli77 percent of Jamunapari goats are foundwith medium class farmers (one to five acresof land holding) and no goats are observedwith richer farmers, i.e. more than five acresof land holding. The highest population ofJamunapari goats was associated with one tofive acres of land farmers in NK and Jagtolivillage. The goat keeping has a majorcontribution for the villagers’ livelihood and itrepresents about half of the income fromcropping per annum.

Flock size

Goat keepers prefer to keep small flocks dueto less space available to individual farmer.Herds include one to 16 adult females. Thesmall herds are also preferred due to limitedfeeding resources and for security purposes.The average herd size is 7.0. Goat herds aremaintained in an extensive system with eightto 12 hour/day grazing in different seasons inthe ravines of Chambal (Figure 2).

Figure 3. Covered accommodation are covered with thorny bushes and used forkeeping the goats. Some times this structure may be made of mud or bricks.


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Rout et al.

Housing

In general, covered accommodation of10-12’ x 6-8’ area made of wooden poles andthatches and covered with thorny bushes areused for keeping the goats. Some times thisstructure may be made of mud or bricksdepending on the economic status of farmersand modified seasonally to suit prevailingweather (Figure 3). Kids and adults arehoused separately. Breeding bucks are keptwith special care and reared in brick houses(Figures 4 and 5).

Feeding

The goats are kept on grazing in ravines ofriver Chambal during day light for a total ofeight to 12 hours a day in different seasons.However, pregnant does and goats which areto be used for show purposes are given somespecial diet comprised of bajra, barley, jowarand wheat as such or in the form of gruel. Theconcentrate mixture is provided to goats inthe morning prior to sending them forgrazing. Newly born kids or sucklings belowthree months of age are allowed to suckletheir mother throughout the period. Beforesuckling or milking each doe is provided with

some boiled bajra or cooked bread. Inaddition to concentrate mixture, the pods(succulent or dry) of bajra unripe Rajma,Kairy and leaves in abundance are also givento the goats.

Registration of farmer and recording

Initially, the farmers/goat breeders of the twovillages of Nagla Kadhori and Jagtoli inChakarnagar Block were registered. TheJamunapari goat population in these twovillages was nearly 500 out of which 350 wereadult breedable females (Figure 6). All thegoats in the villages were given a numberaccording to owner and numbering wasrepeated three times in a year. The datarecording and registration were maintainedby research officers living in that village area.The health coverage for the herds wasprovided by project workers and veterinaryofficers in addition to local help. Bodyweights at different ages (birth, three, six andnine months) were recorded. Milk yield wasrecorded in two villages in the morning andevening at fortnightly intervals up to12 fortnights.

Figure 4. A grazing flock.


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48Jamunapari goats

Table 1. Production and reproduction traits of Jamunapari goats in fieldconditions.

Parameter/Number Mean ±SENo of

observationsBody weight (kg) at

Birth 2.7 ±0.03 2403 Months 12.3 ±0.20 2336 Months 16 ±0.27 1279 Months 22 ±0.52 6512 Months 28 ±0.30 20

Milk production (litre)90 days 102 ±0.34 197150 days 146 ±0.71 115

Reproduction performanceKidding interval(days)

335 ±6.1 36

Breeding season May-JuneAge at 1st kidding(days)

700 ±9.1 26

Service period (days) 187 ±8.1 41Kidding rate 1.61Age at firstconception (days)

559 ±20.1 26

Numbers in the parenthesis indicate the number of observations.

Figure 5. A grazing flock.


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49

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7, 2

00

0

Ro

ut et al.

Table 2. Means of body measurements +SE (cm) of Jamunapari goats at different ages in field conditions.

Trait 2 TeethMale Female

4 TeethMale Female

6 TeethMale Female

Full mouthMale Female

BodyLength

83±4.0(2)

71±0.6(54)

86(1)

76±1.2(10)

94(1)

77±1.2(25)

96(1)

79±1.4(7)

BodyHeight

87±3.0(2)

75±0.6(54)

80(1)

78±1.0(10)

94(1)

81±0.9(25)

98(1)

80±1.1(7)

BodyGirth

80±4.5(2)

69±0.6(54)

84(1)

74±1.3(10)

92(1)

76±1.1(25)

91(1)

77±1.3(7)

PaunchGirth

76±6.0(2)

67±0.7(54)

84(1)

74±1.0(10)

85(1)

78±1.6(25)

83(1)

79±2.7(7)

LegLength

54±0.5(2)

47±0.3(54)

57(1)

48±0.8(10)

58(1)

50±0.5(25)

59(1)

49±0.4(7)

EarLength

33±3.0(2)

25±3.3(54)

31(1)

26±4.9(10)

33(1)

27±7.0(25)

32(1)

28±1.4(7)

EarWidth

10(2)

12±1.4(54)

12(1)

10±3.4(10)

12(1)

10±3.4(25)

11(1)

10±5.1(7)

Numbers in the parenthesis indicate the number of observations.

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50Jamunapari goats

Production Performance

Body weight

The overall least-square means for bodyweight at birth, three months, six months,nine months and 12 months are presented intable 1. The physical measurements ofJamunapari goats in relation to different agesare presented in table 2. Analysis of variancerevealed significant effects of sex on bodyweight at all ages whereas type of birthsignificantly influenced weights up to sixmonths of age. The location had a significanteffect on all body weight groups except birth.The month of kidding also had a significanteffect on nine months body weight whereasyear of kidding significantly affected bodyweight at all ages in the present study. Damswith single kids could provide more nutritionto their kids during the prenatal and sucklingperiod as compared to those with multiplebirths. This would have led to higher weightslasting up to six months only.

Milk yield

The overall mean of milk yield was0.90 l/day. The milk yield increased up to thefourth fortnight and thereafter startsdecreasing. The mean of yield in 90 and150 days were 102 and 146 litres respectively(Table 1). No difference in milk yield wasobserved due to the month of kidding fromSeptember to November.

Reproductive performance

Conception rate, kidding percentage (numberof does kidded/does available for kidding),kidding rate (number of kids born/number ofdoes kidded) and twining percentage were88 percent (422), 77.4 percent (369), 1.61 (593)and 52.2 percent (593), respectively, over theyears. Male to female ratio was 51:49 amongkids born. The age at first, inter-kiddinginterval, service period and age at firstconception was 700± 9.1, 335± 6.1, 187±8.1 and559±20.1 days, respectively. Most of the kids

Figure 6. The Jamanupari goat.


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Rout et al.

(73 percent) were born in October-Novemberwhich shows that the peak breeding season ofJamunapari in field conditions is betweenMay-June. However, a few goats were alsobred in April, August and September.

Blood protein polymorphism

Haemoglobin polymorphism was conductedin 50 Jamunapari goats using starch gelelectrophoresis with Tris-EDTA buffer.Hb-AA frequency was 1.00 and no otherphenotype observed in this sample. Howeverthree different phenotypes namely AA, ABand BB were observed in this sample and thefrequency was 0.09, 0.81 and 0.11,respectively.

Disease Incidence and HealthCoverage

Vaccination of the entire animal against FMDwas carried out regularly in all the animals.Treatment to all ailing animals was providedfree of charge and regularly by projectworkers. Faecal samples were screenedregularly in both the villages by collecting

Figure 7. Role of women in feeding, milking and reproduction management.

samples from the field. The overall mortalityover the years was 3.7 percent in villageconditions. Mortality was 3.7 percent,1.9 percent, 9.8 percent and 2.0 percent in0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months andadult goats, respectively over the years.Diarrhea in kids, pneumonia, abscess andmastitis are the diseases observed in villageconditions. The coccidiosis is the majorproblem in kids and nematode burden is lessin adult goats in this area.

Role of Women in GoatRearing

The women help in goat rearing in every stepand they also have adequate knowledge ofgoat rearing as has been the traditionaloccupation of people for a long time.However, a particular person in a family isresponsible for herd management, grazingand feeding, etc. As it is a heavy breed, so themale members of the family are mainlyresponsible for their well being. However, therole of women in feeding, milking andreproduction management is observed in aregular manner (Figure 7).


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52Jamunapari goats

Conclusion

The conservation and improvementprogramme is facing a lot of problems in thebreed home tract. Presently, shortage ofgrazing land and marketing of goats are ofmajor concern to the farmers. The role of theGovernment and policy towards animalgenetic resources need to be criticallyevaluated for the conservation of this breed.The admixture of this breed with other goatsis a major problem as the breed is loosing itsgenetic architecture. Therefore, it can beconcluded that conservation of theJamunapari goat is of paramount importanceand efforts to conserve the breed in anintegrated manner should be taken up.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director, CIRGfor providing support to carry out this work.Acknowledgements are due to Mr GurunamSingh for the photography, Mr Rajendra fortechnical assistance and shri D.N. Upreti forsecretarial assistance for this study.

References

Bhattachharya N.K. 1990. Annualreport- Central Institute For Research OnGoats, Makhdoom, Farah-281 122, Mathura,U.P-281 122.

FAO and UNEP. 1992. In-situconservation of livestock and poultry, FAOAnimal Production and Health paper 99,pp. 74-75.

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53


Jaume & Alfonso

AGRI 2000, 27: 53-58

Summary

The Majorcan Black Pig is the onlyautochthonous pig breed from the island ofMajorca (Spain). It is characterised by amedium size body (160 kg), slate-grey skincolour, and concave profile of the nose, largependulous ears and tassels on the bottomneck. It is well adapted to the low-levelbreeding and feeding conditions of thetraditional extensive management on theisland. It is the base of some traditional highquality products such as the “sobrasada”, sortof red highly seasoned sausage that can bespread over bread, for which there is a gooddemand in the Spanish market. The MajorcanBlack Pig breed played an important socialand economic role until the 1960s, which thendeclined with the introduction of theintensive production systems and foreignbreeds. The Majorcan Black Pig Associationwas founded in the early 1980s by a group ofprivate farmers to recover and conserve thebreed. Recently, this association has beenofficially recognised and the official MajorcanBlack Pig Herd Book set up. At present, thereare more than 600 animals registered.

Resumen

El Cerdo Negro de Mallorca es la única razade cerdos autóctona de Mallorca (España). Secaracteriza por ser de tamaño medio (160 kg),color de la piel gris pizarra, perfil cóncavo delhocico, orejas grandes y caidas, y la presenciade mamellas en la base del cuello. Esta razaestá bien adaptada a las condiciones pobresde cría y alimentación propias del manejoextensivo tradicional. Por otra parte, es la

base de productos tradicionales de altacalidad como por ejemplo la “sobrasada”,muy apreciada en el mercado español. ElCerdo Negro de Mallorca jugó un importantepapel social y económicoo hasta los años 60.Su declive se inició con la introducción de lossistemas intensivos de producción y las razasextranjeras. Al inicio de los años 80 se fundóla Asociación del Cerdo Negro de Mallorcacon los objetivos fundamentales de recuperary conservar la raza. Recientemente se hareconocido oficialmente esta asociación y seha puesto en marcha el Libro Genealógico dela raza. En este momento hay más de600 animales registrados.

Keywords: Pig breeds, Majorcan Black pig,Quality pork products.

Introduction

The Majorcan Black Pig is the onlyautochthonous pig breed from the island ofMajorca (Spain) and one of the fewautochthonous pig breeds in Spain. TheMajorcan Black Pig breed played animportant social and economic role until the1960s when its decline started with theintroduction of the intensive productionsystems and foreign breeds. The MajorcanBlack Pig Association was founded in theearly 80s by a group of private farmers. Themain Association’s objective was the recovery

The Majorcan Black pig

J. Jaume1 & L. Alfonso2*

1Institut de Biologia Animal de Balears, S.A., 07630 Campos, Spain2Departamento de Producción Agraria, Universidad Pública de Navarra,

31006 Pamplona, Spain

*Correspondence and reprints

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54Majorcan Black pig

and conservation of the breed. Recently thisAssociation has been officially recognised andnow is the responsible for the officialMajorcan Black Pig Herd Book which wasstarted in 1997. The Institut de Biologia Animalde Balears, S.A., a service of the BalearGovernment for the conservation ofautochthonous breeds, is now the institutionresponsible for the initiatives needed topreserve the breed.

Origin and MorphologicalCharacteristics

The origin of this breed is uncertain. It seemsprobable that it came from the IberianPeninsula with the influence of different pigpopulations introduced by the severalcivilisations that have dominated the island ofMajorca (Torrens, 1947; Payeras, 1988). Thebreed has two main characteristics incommon with other Western Mediterranean

breeds, black colour of skin and the highproduction of fat tissue.

The standard morphological characteristicswere recently established to set up the herdbook. This standard was established as adescription of the present morphology ofavailable animals. The main characteristicsconsidered were body size (medium size,160 kg), the skin colour (slate-grey), theprofile of the nose (concave), the earcharacteristics (large and pendulous) and thepresence of tassels on the bottom of the neck(Figure 1). This latter trait is a characteristic ofthe Majorcan Black Pig, and found in 96% ofthe present population.

Population and Distribution

The total number of animals of the MajorcanBlack breed is estimated, at present, asapproximately 700, and the number officiallyrecognised and registered in the herd book is610 (554 sows and 56 boars).

Figure 1. Majorcan Black boar.


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These 610 animals are distributed in a totalof 48 farms. A sample survey was conductedto collect information on population structure,management practices and performancesunder field conditions for describing thebreed. Thirty-nine farms, with 380 sows and46 boars, were recorded and analysed. Thedistribution of animals in the recorded farmsis shown in table 1.

The theoretical effective population size(Ne) of Majorcan Black Pig derived fromfigures in table 1 is approximately 200.Following Simon and Buchenauer (1993) thisvalue implies that this breed is onlypotentially endangered. The real Ne may,however, be lower. First because populationis fragmented in very small herds. There issome degree of connection between herds as aresult of movement of males between herds,but the number of herds that supply males issmall. The second reason why the Ne may belower than the theoretical value is theaccumulated inbreeding. The population sizehas increased significantly in the last 20 years

after a bottleneck that occurred in the 1960s.There is little information of how this increaseoccurred, but it is known that a rapid,unbalanced growth occurred in some herds.No pedigree information is available and thusit is difficult to have even an approximatevalue of the average inbreeding coefficient ofthe population, but it seems unrealistic tothink that it is very small.

Management Systems

The Majorcan Black Pig is well adapted to thetraditional extensive management,characterised by low-level breeding andfeeding conditions (see Figure 2). Although alot of present farms have recently introducedanimals of this breed, the farms’ productionand social structures are very old as shown intable 2. Furthermore, the Majorcan Black pigis always managed in an extensive way and apig enterprise is never the main activity of thefarm.

Table 1. Distribution of animals in the farms presently controlled.

Sex Breeding stockfarms(n=12)

Breeding stock farms withgrowing pigs

(n=27)

All

Females Mean 10.5 9.4 9.7Range 3-31 4-29 3-31N 126 254 380

Males Mean 1.3 1.1 1.2Range 1-4 1-2 1-4N 16 30 46

Table 2. Some characteristics of the structure of themanagement system.

Characteristic Percentage of farmsFamily farms 83%Owner of the farm 48%Farms with new buildings 35%Farmers older than 40 years 98%Farms with other activities 100%Farms with more than 25 ha 85%

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The management of reproduction isvery simple and there is no controlled matingwith the males and females kept togetherexcept during the lactation period. Thefeeding system was traditionally based onpastures. Only sows and fattening pigs usedto receive some supplementary feedingduring lactation and final growing period.This supplement was based on householdrefusals, bran, legume seeds and cereals, andfigs. Now the feeding system is still based onpastures but with an important supplementof concentrates. All of the farms feed the sowswith commercial diets during lactation, 62%during pregnancy and 21% during theweaning-mating period.

Production Characteristics andUses

At present the population is beingcharacterised only for reproductive traits. Inthe near future, traits related to meat and fatproduction and quality will be also recorded.The only reproductive data available so far

are the number of live (NBA) and weaned(NW) piglets per litter, the number of littersper sow and year (farrowing index) and thenumber of teats of the sows. Preliminaryestimates of the NBA and NW are 6.8 and5.2 respectively. The number of littersproduced per sow per year has not beenaccurately estimated, but it appears to be lessthan 2. From these figures it can be deducedthat the number of Majorcan Black pigsproduced for slaughter is less than 6 000 peryear. The number of teats is highlyconcentrated around a modal value of 10 teatsas observed in other pig breeds such theIberian (Dobao et al., 1988). It is unusual tofind sows with less than 10 teats and only19% have more than 10.

Some traditional high quality products arebased on the Majorcan Black pig. The mostimportant of these products is the“sobrasada”, a red, highly seasoned sausagethat can be spread over bread (see Figure 3).This “sobrasada” is very popular and highlypriced in the Spanish market. It is made oflean meat (50%), fat (50%), and seasoned withpaprika, pepper and salt, using all the leanmeat and some fat of the slaughter pigs. Pigs

Figure 2. Traditional management system of the Majorcan Black pig.


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are slaughtered between 12 and 18 months ofage when they weigh between 120 and140 kg. The killing out percentage isapproximately 50%. With heavier pigs,weighing 200 kg or more, the quality ofproduct is maintained but the killing outpercentage is reduced to about 40%. Anotherless important product of the Majorcansystem is the “lechona”, piglets of about 8 kgof live weight which are whole roasted, as inother regions of Spain.

Breed Preservation

The starting of the Majorcan Black PigHerd Book in 1997 was the first initiative topromote the preservation of this domestic pigpopulation. In the Western Europe, as inother developed countries, the conservationof domestic animal genetic resources may besolely for social or cultural reasons. However,in general it is not clear what geneticresources should be preserved. A sustainable

Figure 3. “Sobrasada”, a red sausage highly seasoned with paprika produced from theMajorcan Black Pig.

and coherent conservation program must beable to coexist and interact with a program forlivestock improvement. This is more viablewhen the animal population occupies a secureniche in the commercial livestock industry,and when its productive role is widelyunderstood and accepted (Notter et al., 1994).

Arising from these ideas a further initiativeto preserve the breed was to promote thetraditional products manufactured from it,basically the “sobrasada”. The production of“sobrasada” is an important activity for themeat industry in the Balearic Islands.However, only a small amount, about 50 t, isproduced from Majorcan Black pigs (Mora &Palou, 1993), and it was necessary to label the“sobrasada” made from Majorcan Black pigs assuch.A registered trademark was created bythe Spanish Government in 1994. This definesa role for the Majorcan Black Pig in thelivestock industry.

It is clear that these two initiatives,i.e breedpreservation and production of special


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products, play an important role but furtherinitiatives are needed. At present, a thirdinitiative has started to improve theveterinary infrastructure and develop adisease control programme. The nextinitiative will be to set up a managementinformation system. This will permit theimprovement of the management of farms,but will also collect more accurate informationabout the production system. Once the resultsof this information system and from the herdhook are available, it would be interesting toassess the possibilities of starting aprogramme for the genetic improvement ofthe breed.

References

Dobao, M.T., L. Rodrigañez, L. Silio &M.A. Toro. 1988. Iberian pig production inSpain. Pig News and Information, Vol 9(3):277-282.

Mora, J. & M. Palou. 1993. Sobrassadade Porc Negre. Govern Balear. Conselleriad’Adricultura i Pesca, Palma de Mallorca,Spain, pp. 59.

Notter D.R., A. Mariante da S. &Z. Sheng. 1994. Modern approaches to activeconservation of domestic animal diversity.Proceedings of the 5th World Congress onGenetics Applied to Livestock Production,Guelph, Canada, Vol 21: 509-516.

Payeras, Ll. 1988. El Porc Mallorquí. In:“Els animals domèstics de raça autóctona deMallorca”. PRAM, Palma de Mallorca, Spain,pp. 160.

Simon D.L. & D. Buchenauer. 1993.Genetic diversity of European livestockbreeds. (EAAP Publication No. 66) Ed.Wageningen Pers, Wageningen, TheNetherlands, pp. 581.

Torrens A. 1947. El Cerdo Mallorquín.Proceedings of the First InternationalCongress of Animal Production, Madrid,Spain. Cited in: Payeras 1988.

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AGRI 2000, 27: 59-66

Summary

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy(ALBC) and the Society for the Preservation ofPoultry Antiquities (SPPA) completedcensuses of domesticated turkeys in 1997. TheALBC census targeted hatcheries andreported census figures for hens, whilecounting both hens and toms. Toms wereabout 10% of hen numbers. The ALBC censusrevealed that only eight seasonal hatcheriesout of a total of 25 maintain breeding flocks,including 7 038 Bronze, 4 600 Large Whites,664 Bourbon Reds, 381 Royal Palms, 62 Black,60 Slate, 4 White Holland, and 3 Narragansetthens. The SPPA research included hatcheriesand also private breeders, included bothmales and females, and also includedanything the breeder deemed a variety. Thecensus figures for the various varieties were:Bourbon Red 931, Royal Palm 717,Bronze 365, Black 211, White Midget 151,Slate 143, Narragansett 87, Buff 62, WhiteHolland 38, Auburn 27, Lilac 24, SilverAuburn 19, Chocolate 12, Royal Nebraskan 8,Wisconsin 6, Spotted Nebraskan 3, 2 each ofDark Brown, Nebraska Royal, Nutmeg, andred, and 1 each of Chestnut, Fawn, andLavendar. The results of these twoapproaches generated similar populationrankings for these varieties. Both haveconcluded that the nonindustrial strains ofturkeys have perilously low populations.

Resumen

El American Livestock Breeds Conservancy(ALBC) y la Society for the Preservation ofPoultry Antiquities (SPPA) completaron elcenso de los pavos domésticos en 1997. Elcenso del ALBC estaba centrado en lasincubadoras y reportaba también las figurasde censo de hembras y un recuento de ambos,hembras y machos. El número de machosrepresentaba aproximadamente el 10% de lashembras. El censo de ALBC mostró que sóloocho incubadoras estacionales sobre un totalde 25 mantienen grupos de razas, incluidaslas siguientes hembras: 7 038 Bronze,4 600 Large Whites, 664 Bourbon Reds,381 Royal Palms, 62 Black, 60 Sltae, cuatroWhite Holland, y tres Narragansett. Lainvestigación de SPPA incluyó lasincubadoras y también a los privados, enambos casos machos y hembras, y tambiénconsideraron cualquier línea que losganaderos retuvieran como variedad. Lasfiguras de censo para las distintas variedadesfueron las siguientes: Bourbon Red 931, RoyalPalm 717, Bronze 365, Black 211, WhiteMidget 151, Slate 143, Narragansett 87,Buff 62, White Holland 38, Auburn 27,Lilac 24, Silvr Auburn 19, Chocolate 12, RoyalNebraskan ocho, Wisconsin seis, SpottedNebraskan tres, dos de cada para DarkBrown, Nebraska Royal, Nutmeg y Red y unode cada para Chestnut, Fawn y Lavendar. Losresultados de estos dos estudios han dadolugar a una escala de población similar paraestas variedades. Ambas encuestas concluyen

Turkey conservation in the United States

D.P. Sponenberg1, R.O. Hawes2, P. Johnson3 & C.J. Christman4

1Virginia - Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech,Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA

28 Short Wharf Rd, Hampden, ME 04444 USA32442 Mayfield Lane, Las Cruces, NM 88005 USA

4McMillan and Moss Research Inc, 6938 Lee Street, Mebane, NC 27302 USA

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60Turkey conservation in USA

que las razas no industriales de pavos poseenun número de población peligrosamente bajo.

Key words: Turkey, Census, Breed,Conservation.

Introduction

Turkeys are one of very few animalsdomesticated in the Western Hemisphere.Their early use by Native Americans includedcultures in what is now Mexico as well as thesouthwest of the United States (Christmanand Hawes, 1999). Turkeys were used formeat, as well as for the production of feathersfor ceremonial and decorative use. By thetime of Spanish contact in the 1500s therewere several color variants being maintained.

European contact took turkeys to Europe,where they quickly spread throughout manycountries to become a component of the arrayof domesticated birds used for meat and eggs.Domesticated turkeys were brought withnorthern European settlers back to NorthAmerica (1600s), which resulted in the curioussituation of the domesticates from Europeliving in the same range as the eastern wildturkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), asubspecies distinct from the Mexican one thatwas domesticated (Meleagris gallopavogallopavo). Over the ensuing centuries most ofthe domesticated birds in the United Stateshad genetic contributions from both theoriginal imported domestic as well as the wildturkeys.

From the 1600s to the early 1900sfree-range turkey production for bothsubsistence (local consumption) andcommercial systems became widespreadthroughout North America, and was based onseveral turkey varieties descended from theoriginal mix of subspecies. Varieties werebased on color as well as lineage and wereimportant components of turkey production.Many of the varieties underwent selection forperfection of form, color, and performance.This trend toward selection accelerated earlyin the 1900s, and competitive exhibitions ofturkeys became a widespread and popularpasstime. Women were influential in the

development of turkey varieties, and wereimportant throughout the breeding andproduction phases of turkey production forthe first half of the 1900s (Christman andHawes, 1999).

In 1927 the broad-breasted trait wasintroduced into Canada from England andunderwent further specialized selection in theUSA (Crawford, 1990). Broad-breasted birdshave a great increase in pectoral muscle massover the previous standard birds, and themassive white breast meat favored these birdsas the type used in industrial productionsystems. The resulting variety was first theBroad Breasted Bronze (circa 1930), followedquickly by the Broad Breasted White (circa1950, and now referred to as the Large White).These birds formed the nucleus of the currentturkey industry. The present industry isvertically integrated, so that single companiescontrol all breeding, production, processing,and marketing of the birds. This has resultedin highly selected strains that haveapproached the limit of biologic viability.They require artificial insemination forreproduction. Leg problems stemming fromthe huge muscular development are relativelycommon. These broad-breasted varieties areexquisitely adapted to their industrialenvironment and are incredibly efficient andproductive in that environment. Theindustrialization of turkey production hasmade turkey meat one of the cheaper meatsources available to North Americans.

As a result of the industrialization ofturkey production, many of the oldercommercial varieties of turkeys fell intodisuse. These persisted in the hands ofhobbyists, exhibitors, and people interested inrange turkey production. Numbers of thesevarieties declined, and two recent efforts haveundertaken a census to determine numbers oftraditional farm turkeys in the United States.

Materials and Methods

Two independent censuses of turkeypopulations have been recently undertaken inthe United States. One was by the AmericanLivestock Breeds Conservancy in late 1995

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and also in early 1997. The results of the 1997census are reported here. This census targetedthe availability of turkey varieties fromhatcheries that sell and ship day-old poults,which makes these sources readily availableto the general public. Included were twentyfive hatcheries, contacted by telephone withfollow-up to clarify any points of confusion.The census survey documented strains,numbers of each strain, and other pertinentdetails.

The Society for the Preservation of PoultryAntiquities (SPPA) undertook a separatecensus of traditional turkey varieties in 1997.This census targeted private and hobbiestbreeders that tend to sell to one another ratherthan selling to the general public, and alsoincluded seasonal hatcheries. This censusassessed the numbers of toms and hensowned by SPPA members, and extended tocontacts provided by members. As aconsequence it included some but not all ofthe hatcheries included in the ALBC census,but also included many breeders and sourcesthat the ALBC census did not include.

Results of ALBC census

The ALBC census revealed that of the25 hatcheries, only eight maintain breedingflocks of turkeys. Fifteen of the hatcheries buyhatching eggs from other hatcheries or from

private breeders, and two hatcheries buypoults for resale. Two of the 25 hatcheries arediscontinuing turkeys altogether.

The results of the ALBC census aresummarized in table 1. The number of henswas considered as the census of interest, sincethis number reflected the relative activity ofegg and poult production. Bronze birds (bothstandard and Broad Breasted) included7 038 hens, Large Whites included 4 600 hens(these exclude the industrially-held breeders),Bourbon Red 664 hens (Figure 1), Royal Palm381 hens (Figure 2), Black 62 hens, Slate 60hens, White Holland 4 hens, andNarragansett 3 hens (Figure 3). Around 90%of the Bronze birds were from a singlehatchery, and that same hatcher included allof the Large Whites, leaving only 640 females(Bronze and other varieties) among the other5 hatcheries.

Results of the SPPA census

The SPPA results are substantially differentfrom the ALBC census and include manyvarieties not accepted by the AmericanPoultry Association. This census wasdesigned to be a complete look at whateverthe breeders deem a variety, which includesany reproducible and recognizable colorvariant within turkeys. Total numbers, bothmale and female are included. The population

Table 1. Results of ALBC census of traditional turkey varieties.

Variety Hatcheriesselling

Hatcheriesbreeding

Number offemales

Bronze (bothbroad-breasted andnaturally mating)

22 5 7 038

Large White 5 1 4 600Bourbon Red 10 5 664Royal Palm 8 4 381Black 4 3 62Slate 2 2 60White Holland 1 1 4Narragansett 1 1 3

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Figure 2. Royal Palm turkey.

Figure 1. Bourbon Red turkey.

http://dad.fao.org/cgi-dad/$cgi_dad.dll/world?552,nor


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figures are Bourbon Red 931, Royal Palm 717,Bronze 365, Black 211, White Midget 151, Slate143, Narragansett 87, Buff 62 (Figure 4), WhiteHolland 38, Auburn 27, Lilac 24, SilverAuburn 19, Chocolate 12, Royal Nebraskan 8,Wisconsin 6, Spotted Nebraskan 3, 2 each ofDark Brown, Nebraska Royal, Nutmeg, andred, and 1 each of Chestnut, Fawn, andLavendar. Many of these rare varieties aregene combinations that individual breedershave named, rather than long-standingpopulations with a history of isolatedselection and propagation.

Discussion

Some 270 million turkeys were raisedcommercially in the United States in 1998.These are overwhelmingly a single variety:

Large White. This variety is exquisitelyadapted for industrial turkey productionwhich relies on a relatively uniform intensiveenvironment and high levels of feed andhealth inputs. Genetic selection for industrialturkeys is intense, and only three breedingcompanies are important internationally. Thisputs the entire turkey industry on a narrowgenetic base.

All turkey varieties outside of theindustrial setting are increasingly rare, andonly a few now survive in situations whereselection still targets productioncharacteristics in low-input systems. Thefragmentation of the turkey into differentvarieties somewhat subdivides the populationinto subpopulations, some of which arereproductively isolated from the others. Thevarieties vary in their degree of isolation, withsome being completely isolated from other

Figure 3. Narragansett turkey.


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varieties (Royal Palm as an example) andothers routinely outcrossing to other varietiesand selecting out poults of the appropriatecolor (Blacks as an example). This tends tokeep variation from being lost, although theincredibly low numbers of many of thesevarieties suggests that much genetic variationhas been lost and is no doubt still being lost.

Both censuses point to a perilous state formany varieties. The ALBC census focusesattention on the level of breeding activity inhatcheries, since these are the birds that arereadily available to the public. These are insituations where production and shipmentprovide access to these genetic resources. TheBronze figures reveal numerical strengths,although these are limited to only fivebreeders, which places large populations inperil of single disasters or dispersal due tomanagement decisions. The Large Whitesincluded in these censuses are smallpopulations whose immediate ancestors come

from industrial breeding programs. Thenumbers held in these census populationstherefore have little impact on the geneticstatus of this breed as a genetic resource, sincethey are a small offshoot of a morewidespread genetic population. All othervarieties can be considered rare in thehatchery setting.

The SPPA census points to similarconclusions, although the census takes aslightly different form. Small private flockswere included in addition to hatchery stocks,and both male and female numbers werereported. The SPPA census reveals thatprivately held exhibition and hobby flocks ofturkeys are emperiled to a similar degree asthe more commercial hatchery flocks, and cantherefore serve only poorly as a reserve ofgenetic variation in domesticated turkeygermplasm.

The raw numbers do not tell the wholestory. Only seven breeders of non-industrial

Figure 4. Buff turkey.


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65


Sponenberg et al.

turkeys account for 55% of the total numberof birds. Populations large enough forsignificant selection are therefore rare. This isall the more dramatic for some historicallyimportant strains. The Buff was the fourthmost numerous commercial turkey in1951-1952 (behind Broad Breasted Bronze,Beltsville Small White, and White Holland),with over 25 000 birds of this variety beingraised. They are now down to only 62 birds.In the 1930s the Narragansett was thirdbehind Bronze and White Holland, and isnow represented by only 87 birds. TheNebraskan varieties were fifth most popularin 1951 (nearly 17 000 birds) and are now

Table 2. Results of SPPA census of traditional turkey varieties.

NumbersVariety name Breeders

Male female totalBourbon Red 12 149 782 931Royal Palm 15 128 589 717Bronze 8 84 281 365Black 13 47 164 211White Midget 4 42 119 151Slate 8 35 108 143Narragansett 8 27 60 87Buff 7 17 45 62White Holland 5 16 22 38Auburn 3 10 17 27Lilac 4 11 13 24Silver Auburn 3 8 11 19Chocolate 3 3 9 12Nebraskan (Royal N) 2 4 4 8Wisconsin 1 2 4 6Spotted Nebraskan 1 0 3 3Dark Brown 1 0 2 2Nebraska Royal 2 0 2 2Nutmeg 1 1 1 2Red 1 1 1 2Chestnut 1 1 0 1Fawn 1 0 1 1Lavender 1 0 1 1Crimson Dawn 1 few few fewBelstville Small White 0 0 0 0Mini White 0 0 0 0Gray 0 0 0 0

relegated to relict status of very minimalnumbers - 13 birds.

The fate of these traditional varieties islinked to the fate of their production system.Range turkey production is now largelyrelegated to the past, having been replaced bythe modern confinement production systems.In the absence of a commercial niche, thetraditional varieties have seen dramaticdeclines in numbers. A few breeders stillproduce range-raised turkeys, and somehopeful signs of this increasing in popularityare beginning to appear.

Another positive development is arenewed awareness of the plight of these

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varieties through the work of the SPPA andthe ALBC. This has resulted in new breedersparticipating in the maintenance of some ofthese varieties, although usually as a hobbyrather than as a commercial endeavor. Thiseffort is going to be important in maintainingmany of these varieties as reserves ofnaturally-mating turkey genetic resources,which is vitally important to the overallgenetic diversity within this agriculturallyimportant species. The increasedcommunication among breeders, especiallythrough the annual SPPA census, has beenespecially fruitful in tracking down the lastremnants of some of these historicallyimportant varieties. The future of these

varieties is therefore not as bleak as even afew years ago, but many do remain on theedge of extinction and must be carefullymanaged to avoid that loss.

References

Christman C.J. & R.O. Hawes. 1999.Birds of a Feather: Saving Rare Breeds fromExtinction. American Livstock BreedsConservancy, Pittsboro, North Carolina, USA,pp. 76.

Crawford R.D. 1990. Poultry Breedingand Genetics Amsterdam, Elsevier, pp. 1123.

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67

ICAR Technical Series no. 2. Proceedings ofthe Workshop on Developing Breeding

Strategies for Lower Input Animal ProductionEnvironments

Editors: S. Galal, J. Boyazoglu & K. HammondBella, Italy 22-25, 1999

FAO/ICAR, Villa del Ragno, Via Nomentana 134, 00162 Rome, ItalyTel.: +39-06-86329141; Fax: +39-06-86329263; E-mail: [email protected]

In English.ISSN 1563-2504

pp. 570

The Workshop was organised by the Foodand Agriculture (FAO) of the United Nationsand the International Committee on AnimalRecording (ICAR). Thirty seven animalbreeding experts from around the worldgathered in this Workshop to discuss how toestablish and maintain genetic developmentin the livestock resources used for mediumand low-input production systems. TheProceedings include introductory papers, theoutcomes of the discussion that took place inthe Workshop, 5 seminal paper on Breedinggoal definition, Structures and procedures forstraight-breeding, Structures and proceduresfor cross-breeding using local breeds,Structures and procedures for cross-breedingusing also exotic breeds, Economic evaluationof breeding programmes; and 27 case studiesfrom lower input production environmentscovering all continents attempting to identifythe key operational and policy issues whichhave impacted on past attempts to improvelivestock for such production systems.Throughout the Proceedings The emphasiswas on how to make it happen – both toinitiate and sustain desirable genetic change.The Proceedings provide valuable material onthe practical, operational aspects of thegenetic improvement of farm animals. Thecase studies are written in plain language andthe seminal studies while written in technicallanguage they followed a stepwise approachto introduce the subjects and include manyexamples and explanation boxes which makethem easy to follow. The Proceedings aresuggested reading for developers, studentsand teachers.

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68

This video presents a picture, in broadcastquality video, of the invaluable geneticdiversity to be found in breeds of some of themost important farm animal species. Itillustrates the contribution that diversitymakes to the world’s food security.

Recorded in four Asian countries -Bhutan,Indonesia, Thailand and Viet-Nam - the videoexplains the close relationship betweenfarmers and animals and the importance ofthat relationship in a wide variety ofenvironments.

This video is the beginning of an effort todocument on videotape aspects of themanagement of the genetic resources forimportant farm animal species andproduction systems in each region. Thisinformation, together with a description ofeach shooting location, will be archived in away that will enable low-cost development ofa range of videos targeted at differentaudiences - the general public, technicians,donors and students.

In the future FAO will be able to extractvideo clips from this archive and add them tothe characterization material describing theseresources on the Domestic Animal DiversityInformation System, online at:http://www.fao.org/DAD-IS/and on the DAD-IS-CD-ROM.

To obtain a copy of the video, please e-mailthe DADIS Moderator indicating yourmailing address and the type of videorequired, language, broadcast quality or VHScopy and PAL, SECAM or NTSC.Or write to the DAD-IS Moderator at Animals

Animal Production and Health DivisionFood and Agriculture OrganizationVia delle Terme di Caracalla00100 Rome, ITALY”Tel: +39-06-5705-3540Fax: +39-06-5705-3927

You can help the countries of your regiondevelop and conserve their Domestic AnimalDiversity. Contact your national coordinator(address available from DAD-IS).

Farmers, their animals and the environmentFAO, Via delle Terme di Caracalla 1, 00100 Rome, Italy

For further information contact: www.fao.org/dad-is or [email protected] version stereo

16 minutes video

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Base de donées national: situation des ressources génétiquesbovins-ovins-caprins-porcins, 1998-1999

Groupes pilotes pour la gestion des ressources génétiques animalesIn French. ISBN2-908447-12-6

pp. 240

The Bureau of Genetic Resources who is theFrench structure for the co-ordination of theconservation of animal, vegetal and microbialgenetic resources is the organism who preparedthis interesting volume that represents theupdated French situation for AGR.

After a brief historical presentation of thenational data base for the animal geneticresources, the authors introduce a chapterthat analyses the management of thebiodiversity in France. After that, theysummaries the name of the breeds, theirregional localisation, genotipic characteristics,situation, origins and estimations areaccounted. Per each breed, phenotypic andphysical tracts are reported together with aclear information on the number of the heads,subdivided between males and females.

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70

This booklet, published by the NationalBureau of Animal genetic Resources,summarizes the situation of Nagori cattle inIndia. Nagori is one of the renowned breedsof draught cattle found in Nagaur andJodhpur districts of Rajasthan. Thesedistricts are in and region and agricultureproduction here is very low. The economy ofthis region is mainly dependent on livestock.Nagori cattle are reared mainly for theproduction of male calves for draught work.Sale of Nagori bullocks is the primary sourceof income for the farmers.

Management practices, physicalcharacteristics, productive and reproductiveperformances are clearly reported togetherwith numerous photos of the breed and itsenvironment.

Karyotype of Nagori cattle, with therelative length of the chromosomes arereported and photos illustrate metaphase ofthe breed.

Nagori, the famous draught breed of cattleP.K. Vij, M.S. Tantia, R.K. Vijh, B.K. Joshi & A.E. Nivsarkar

National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal-132 001 (Haryana) Indiapp. 30

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71

Parece que poco a poco en Euskal Herria seva tomando conciencia de la importancia deconservar las razas autóctonas como unaparte importante del patrimonio cultural deeste pueblo. Nadie niega hoy en día el valorpaisajístico y medioambiental de la faunasalvaje y así protegerla de su desaparición,como nadie pone en duda el mantener en pieermitas, puentes u obras arquitectónicas detiempos pasados. La ganadería aúna estasdos facetas, estos animales integran e¡ paisajevasco y por otra son fruto del trabajo de losganaderos vascos durante siglos.

Por todo esto y para tratar de recoger lasituación y los distintos trabajos que seestaban llevando a cabo, la Mesa Técnica deRecursos Genéticos Animales decidió poneren marcha estas jornadas en Octubre de 1997,para así saber lo que se estaba realizando enlas diferentes partes de Euskal Herria y asíconocer la opinión de otros técnicos quetrabajan con razas de aquí.

En el apartado de agradecimientos a losque han hecho posible la celebración de estasjornadas hay que tener en cuenta a losganaderos de Euskal Herria. Ellos son los quegeneración a generación han sabidopreservar y mantener a sus animalesautóctonos como legado de sus antepasados.También, hay que destacar a los compañerosveterinarios de los Departamentos deAgricultura de las Instituciones Vascas yaque gracias a su interés han sabido fomentaranimar y estimular la conservación denuestras razas. Tampoco hay que olvidar aaquellos organismos que han apoyado esteevento, como la coordinación por parte deIKT. S.A, (Nekazal lkerketa ta TeknologiaS.A.), el patrocinio del Departamento de

Razas autoctonas en peligro de extinción deEuska Herria

Gómez Fernández, Mariano EditorBilbao, Spain, 8-11 Octubre 1997

Sociedad de Estudios Vascos, Miraconcha 48, 20007 Donostia, SpainTel.: +34-943-310855; fax: +34-943-213956; e-mail: [email protected]

ISBN 84-89516-92-8ISSN 1137-8603

pp. 230

Agricultura y Pesca del Gobierno Vasco, delos Departamentos de Agricultura de lasDiputaciones Forales de Aiava, Bizkaia yGipuzkoa, el apoyo de¡ Fondo deCooperación Euskadi-Aquitania y de laBilbao Bizkaia Kutxa (BBK).

Fruto de estas jornadas y con e¡ apoyo dela Sección de Ciencias Naturales de Eusko¡kaskuntza recogido en este número deNaturzale, surge este trabajo con todas lasponencias que fueron presentadas y queesperamos sirvan para que conozcamos unpoco mejor nuestras razas y con ello seamosmás sensibles a la importancia de laconservación de las mismas.

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72

Today 14 breeds of cattle, 28 breeds of sheep,7 breeds of pigs and 6 to 8 breeds of poultryindigenous to the UK are classified as rare, ifnot endangered, by the Rare Breeds SurvivalTrust (RBST). Besides being part of ourliving heritage, these genetically differentbreeds may provide flexibility to respond toyet unknown challenges. Among these arechanges in the production outputs offarming systems, in the tools and standardsused in their production, and in thepriorities within society for the use ofnatural resources.

Early in 1997, in collaboration with theRBST, the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC)won a contract with the Ministry ofAgriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) toconduct a literature review of currentknowledge about how rare livestock breedsin the UK have evolved in line with theirenvironment, and what this means in termsof their current and future role in farmingsystems. An important part of this reviewwas to identify what we do not know, and topropose research needed to fill gaps in ourknowledge.

At the completion of the review, aConference and Workshop was held toprovide an open forum to discuss the resultsof the literature review, and to identify areasof research necessary for further integrationof rare breeds into farming systems withinthe UK. The first day of this meetingincluded an overview of the literature review,and invited speakers dealing in greater depthwith specific aspects of that review. Thesecond day consisted of six workshopsessions. These focused on the naturalheritage value, conservation and geneticdescription of rare livestock breeds, and theirparticular role in land use, and in terms of

their performance and marketing attributes.The goal of each workshop session was todevelop a list of ideas for future research intheir topical area.

These Proceedings include the ExecutiveSummary of the literature review, the invitedpapers, summaries of contributed Posters,and a synopsis of each of the discussions ofthe Workshop sessions.

The potential role of rare livestock breedsin UK farming systems

Appleby, Cumbria, UK, 1-2 December 1997British Society of Animal Science, P.O. Box 3, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 ORZ, UK

Tel.: +44-131-4454508; fax: +44-131-5352130; e-mail: [email protected] 0-906562-27-9

pp. 70

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73

Early in 1997 the Scottish Agricultural College(SAC), in collaboration with the Rare BreedsSurvival Trust (REST), were contracted by theMinistry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food(MAFF) to conduct a literature review focusedon the adaptation of rare livestock breeds todifferent environments. Its objective was tocritically assess how and whether rarelivestock breeds in the UK, and elsewhere,have evolved in line with their environment,and to explore what this means in terms oftheir current and future role in farmingsystems. An important part of this review wasto identify what we do not know, and topropose research needed to fill gaps in ourknowledge.

On 1 and 2 December 1997, at thecompletion of the review, a Conference andWorkshop entitled The Potential Role of RareBreeds in UK Farming System was held atAppleby Castle, Cumbria, England. Itspurpose was to provide an open forum todiscuss the results of the literature review,and to identify areas of research necessary forfurther integration of rare breeds into farmingsystems within the UK. The meeting wasorganised by the British Society of AnimalScience (BSAS) in conjunction with SAC andRBST with sponsorship from SainsburySupermarkets Ltd. The first day of thismeeting included an overview of theliterature review, with invited speakerssubsequently dealing with specific aspects ofthat review in greater depth. The second dayconsisted of six workshop sessions. Thesefocused on the natural heritage value,conservation and genetic description of rarelivestock breeds, and their particular role inland use, and in terms of their performance

and marketing attributes. The goal of theworkshop sessions was to develop a list ofideas for future research in each topic area.The Proceedings of this Conference andWorkshop are available through BSAS.

The adaptation of rare breeds of British livestock to differentenvironmennts: a review

J.T. Mercer, R.M. Lewis & G.L.H. Alderson (Editors)Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food &

British Society of Animal Science, P.O. Box 3, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 ORZ, UKTel.: +44-131-4454508; fax: +44-131-5352130; e-mail: [email protected]

ISBN 0 906562 27 9pp. 160

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74

Genetic species in danger of extinction, biodiversity,biotechnologies and ethics

Proceedings of a Conference organised by Slow Food, Via Mendicità Istruita, Brà, ItalyNovember 5, 1998, Turin, Italy

pp. 130

Organised by Italian Ministry of AgriculturalPolicies and Slow Food (an Italianorganisation, mainly oriented in the defenceof genuine and traditional cusine) thisconference was assisted by relevant italianpersonalities belonging to the world ofpolitics, universities and civil society. Amongthese the nobel prize Dario Fò assited theConference and intervened into the debatewith a strong defence of "the naturalproduction systems menaced by themultinationals".

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75

Mendelian Inheritance in Cattle 2000(MIC 2000) is the most comprehensivecatalogue to date of those genes in cattlewhich have identifiable effects on thephenotype. These effects are described.

The locus entries are presented in fourcategories.

Category 1 Coat Colour;Category 2 Visible Traits other than CoatColour;Category 3 Loci controlling Blood andMilk Polymorphisms andCategory 4 Mapped Genes and Loci.Publications relating to the alleles at the

locus are listed in chronological order foreach locus entry, and an assessment is madeof the reliability of the evidence presentedfor each allele.

Category 4 relates to mapped loci andother genetic systems in cattle. As thegenomic location of a locus is determined, thelocation is cross-referenced to the appropriatelocus entry. As a result, MIC 2000 forms alink between the gene mapper and the cattlebreeder. Geneticists, veterinary surgeons,breed societies and commercial breedingcompanies can consult MIC 2000 to learnwhat a gene does, and, if its genomic locationis known, where to find it.

MIC 2000 is the third catalogue in theCOGNOSAG series, following a catalogue ofgenes with identifiable effect on thephenotypes of goats (COG NOSAGWorkshop 1987) and Mendelian Inheritance inSheep 1996 (MIS 96). Catalogues coveringother domestic species are scheduled for thefuture.

Mendelian inheritance in cattle 2000P. Millar, J.J. Lauvergne & C. Dolling (Eds)

EAAP publication No. 101Wageningen Pers, P.O. Box 42, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands

ISBN 90-74134-75-0ISSN 0071-2477

pp. 590

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Conservation Genetics aims at the promotionof the conservation of genetic diversity byproviding a forum where data and ideas canbe presented, facilitating the furtherdevelopment of this field of study.Contributions come from researchers in avariety of fields including populationgenetics, molecularecology and biology, evolutionary biology,and systematics as well others. The Journalwill focus on genetic and evolutionaryapplications to the problems of conservation,while reflecting the diversity of concerns thatare relevant to conservation biology. Papersare accepted in the following categories: fullresearch papers, review papers, shortcommunications, and short methodologicalnotes (including lab methods, computerprograms & models, and PCR primers). Thefirst issue of Conservation Genetics isexpected to be out late this summer.

More information may obtained at:http://www.wkap.nl/journalhome.htm/1566-0621

Announcement of a new periodical

Conservation geneticsEditor: A.R. Hoelzel

Biological Sciences, Durham University, UK

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Editorial Policies andProcedures

The mission of the Animal Genetic ResourcesInformation Bulletin (AGRI) is the promotionof information on the better use of animalgenetic resources of interest to food andagriculture production, under the GlobalStrategy for the Management of Farm AnimalGenetic Resources. All aspects of thecharacterization, conservation and utilizationof these resources are included, in accordancewith the Convention on Biological Diversity.AGRI will highlight information on thegenetic, phenotypic and economic surveyingand comparative description, use,development and maintenance of animalgenetic resources; and on the development ofoperational strategies and procedures whichenable their more cost-effective management.In doing this AGRI will give special attentionto contributions dealing with breeds andprocedures capable of contributing to thesustainable intensification of the world’smedium to low input productionenvironments (agro-ecosystems), whichaccount for the substantial majority of theland area involved in livestock production;the total production of food and agriculturefrom livestock; and of our remaining farmanimal genetic resources.

Views expressed in the paper published inAGRI represent the opinions of the author(s)and do not necessarily reflect those of theinstitutions which the authors are affiliated,FAO or the Editors.

The suitability of manuscripts forpublication in AGRI is judged by the Editorsand reviewers.

Electronic publication

AGRI is available in full electronically on theInternet, in addition to being published inhard copy, at:<< http://www.fao.org/dad-is>>

Types of Articles

The following types of articles are publishedin AGRI.

Research articles

Findings of work on characterization,conservation and utilization of farm animalgenetic resources (AnGR) in well describedproduction environments, will be consideredfor publication in AGRI. Quality photographsof these genetic resources viewed in theprimary production environment to whichthey are adapted, accompanying themanuscripts are encouraged.

Review articles

Unsolicited articles reviewingagro-ecosystems, country-level, regional orglobal developments on one or more aspectsof the management of animal geneticresources, including state-of-the-art reviewarticles on specific fields in AnGR, will beconsidered for publication in AGRI.

Position papers

Solicited papers on topical issues will also bepublished as deemed required.

Other published material

This includes book reviews, news and notescovering relevant meetings, training coursesand major national, regional and internationalevents and conclusions and recommendationsassociated with the outcomes of these majorevents. Readers are encouraged to send suchitems to the editors.

Guidelines for Authors

Manuscript submission

Manuscripts prepared in English, French orSpanish with an English summary and

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another summary in either French or Spanish,should be submitted to AGRI Editor, AGAP,FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100Rome, Italy. Alternatively a manuscript maybe sent as a WinWord Electronic Mailattachment to < [email protected] >. Photographs,coloured or black and white, and figures mustbe always sent by mail.

Manuscripts should be typeddouble-spaced and with lines numbered inthe left margin. All pages, including those ofreferences, tables etc., must be consecutivelynumbered. The corresponding author isnotified of the receipt of a manuscript.

For manuscripts that are accepted afterrevision, authors are encouraged to submit alast version (3½” disc format) in Word 6.0 forWindows of their revised manuscript alongwith the printed copy.

Preparation of the manuscript

The first page of the manuscript must includethe running head (abbreviated title), title,names of authors, institutions, full addressesincluding postal codes and telephone numberand other communication details (fax, e-mail,etc.) of the corresponding author. Therunning head not exceeding 45 charactersplus spaces, should appear at the top of page1 of the manuscript entirely in capital letters.The title of the manuscript is typed in upperand lower case letters. The title should be asbrief as possible not exceeding 150 characters(including spaces) with species names whenapplicable. Authors, institutions andaddresses are in upper and lower case italics.There is one blank line between the title andthe authors. Addresses are typed as footnotesto the authors after leaving one blank line.Footnotes are designated numerically. Twolines are left below the footnotes.

Headings

Headings of sections, for example Summary,Introduction, etc., are left-justified. Leave twoblank lines between addresses footnotes andSummary and between the heading Summaryand its text. Summary should not exceed 200

words . It should be an objective summarybriefly describing the procedures and findingsand not simply stating that the study wascarried on such and such and results arepresented, etc. Leave one line between thesummary text and Keywords which is writtenin italics as well as the keywords themselves.All headings of sections (14 regular) andsub-sections (12 regular) are typed bold andpreceded and succeeded by one blank lineand their text begins with no indention. Theheading of a sub-subsection is written initalics, and ends with a dot after which thetext follows on the same line. Keywords comeimmediately after the summaries. Theyshould be no more than six, with no “and” or“&”.

Tables and figures

Tables and figures must be enclosed with thepaper and attached at the end of the textaccording their citation in the document.Photos will not be returned

Tables

Tables, including footnotes, should bepreceded and succeeded by 2 blank lines.Table number and caption are written, abovethe table, in italics (12) followed by a dot, thenone blank line. For each column or line title orsub-title, only the 1st letter of the 1st word iscapitalized. Tables should be numberedconsecutively in Arabic numerals. Tables andcaptions should be left justified as is the text.Use horizontal or vertical lines only whennecessary. Do not use tabs or space-bar tocreate a table but only the appropriatecommands.

Figures

Figures including titles and legends should bepreceded and succeeded by two blank lines.Figure number and title are written, below thefigure, in italics (12) and end with a dot. Theterm figures includes photos, line drawings,maps, diagrams etc.

All the submitted diagrams, must be

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accompanied with the original matrix of thedata used to create them. It is stronglyadvised to submit diagrams in Word 6.0 orExcel 5.0. Figures should be numberedconsecutively in Arabic numerals.

References

Every reference cited in the text should beincluded in the reference list and everyreference in the reference list should havebeen mentioned in the text at least once.References should be ordered firstlyalphabetically by the first author’s surnameand secondly by year.

Example for reference in a periodical is:Köhler-Rollefson, I., 1992; The camel

breeds of India in social and historicalperspective. Animal Genetic ResourcesInformation 10, 53-64.

When there are more than one author:Matos, C.A.P., D.L. Thomas, D. Gianola,

R.J. Tempelman & L.D. Young, 1997; Geneticanalysis of discrete reproductive traits insheep using linear and nonnlinear models: 1.Estimation of genetic parameters 75, 76-87.

For a book or an ad hoc publication, e.g.,reports, theses, etc.:

Cockril, W.R., (Ed), 1994; The Husbandryand Health of the Domestic Buffalo. FAO,Rome, Italy, pp 993.

For an article in the proceedings of ameeting:

Hammond, K., 1996; FAO’s programmefor the management of farm animal geneticresources. In C. Devendra (Ed.) Proceedingsof IGA/FAO Round Table on the GlobalManagement of Small Ruminant GeneticResources, Beijing, May 1996, FAO, Bangkok,Thailand, 4-13.

Where information included in the articlehas been obtained or derived from a WorldWide Web site, then quote in the text, e.g.“derived from FAO. 1996” and in theReferences quote the URL standard form:

FAO, 1996; Domestic Animal DiversityInformation System <http://www.fao.org/dad-is/>, FAO, Rome

Prof. Galal left FAO on the 1st February 2000 for Cairo (Ain ShamsUniversity, Faculty of Agriculture, Animal Production Dept.).

There is no change in the editorial responsibility of AGRI.

For all future manuscript dispatch and correspondence regardingAGRI, please use the following mailbox:

[email protected]

Thanks for the collaboration

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Normes et règles éditoriales

L’objectif du Bulletin d’Information sur lesRessources Génétiques Animales (AGRI) estla vulgarisation de l’information disponiblesur la meilleure gestion des ressourcesgénétiques animales d’intérêt pour laproduction alimentaire et agricole, d’après lesrecommendations de la Stratégie Mondialepour la Gestion des Ressources Génétiquesdes Animaux Domestiques. Tous les aspectsrelatifs à la caractérisation, la conservation etl’utilisation de ces ressources seront pris enconsidération, suivant les normes de laConvention pour la Biodiversité.

AGRI désire diffuser de l’information surla génétique, les enquêtes phénotypiques etéconomiques et les desciptions comparatives,l’utilisation et la conservation des ressourcesgénétiques animales, ainsi que touteinformation sur le développement destratégies opérationnelles et de normes quipuissent permettre une meilleure gestion dela relation coût/efficacité. C’est pour cela queAGRI prendra spécialement en considérationtoutes les contributions référées aux races etaux normes capables de permettre uneintensification durable des milieux(agroécosystèmes) à revenus moyens et basdans le monde; qui comprennent la majeurpartie des terres consacrées à l’élevage, à laproduction totale des aliments et l’agricultureprovenants de l’élevage; et tout ce qui restecomme ressources génétiques des animauxdomestiques.

Les opinions exprimées dans les articlespubliés dans AGRI appartiennent seulementaux auteurs et donc ne représentent pasnécessairement l’opinion des instituts pourlesquels ils travaillent, la FAO ou les éditeurs.

L’opportunité ou non de publier un articledans AGRI sera jugée par les éditeurs et lesréviseurs.

Publication électronique

En plus de sa version imprimée, la versiontotale de AGRI se trouve disponible surInternet, sur le site:<<http://www.fao.org/dad-is/>>

Types d’articles

Les articles suivants pourront être publiés surAGRI:

Articles de recherche

Seront prises en considération pour leurpublication sur AGRI les études sur lacaractérisation, la conservation et l’utilisationdes ressources génétiques des animauxdomestiques (AnGR) accompagnées d’unebonne description du milieu. On encourageles auteurs à envoyer des photographies debonne qualité qui montrent les races enquestion dans leur milieu naturel deproduction.

Révisions

Occasionnellement, des articles contenant unerévision des agroécosystèmes, au niveaunational, régional ou mondial, avec un ouplusieurs aspects se rapportant à la gestiondes ressources génétiques animales, ycomprises les mises à jour des différenteszones de AnGR, seront pris en considération.

Articles spécifiques

Ponctuellement, des articles sur des thèmesspécifiques pourront être demandés pour lapublication d’éditions spéciales.

Autre matériel pour publication

Ceci comprend la révision de livres, nouvelleset notes de réunions importantes, cours deformation et principaux évènementsnationaux, régionaux et internationaux; ainsique les conclusions et recommendations parrapport aux objectifs des ces principauxévènements. Les auteurs sont priés d’envoyerce genre de matériel aux éditeurs.

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Guide pour les auteurs

Présentation du manuscript

Les articles se présenteront en anglais,français ou espagnol, avec un résumé enanglais et sa traduction en français ou enespagnol; et seront envoyés à l’éditeur deAGRI, AGAP, FAO, Viale delle Terme diCaracalla, 00100 Rome, Italie. L’autrepossibilité est d’envoyer l’article par courrierélectronique avec le document adjoint enversion WinWord à <[email protected]>. Lesphotographies, en couleur ou en blanc et noir,seront toujours envoyées par courrier normal.

Les manuscripts se présenteront à doubleinterligne et avec le numéro correspondant àchaque ligne sur la marge gauche. Toutes lespages seront numérotées, y comprises cellesavec les références bibliographiques, lestableaux, etc. L’auteur recevra une lettre luidonnant bonne réception de son document.

Lorsqu’un article, après sa révision, seraaccepté, on demandera à l’auteur d’envoyer laversion finale révisée sur disquette (format31/2”) en Word 6.0 x Windows, ainsi qu’unecopie sur papier.

Préparation du manuscript

Sur la première page du manuscript onindiquera le titre de l’article en abrégé, le titreet noms des auteurs, des institutions, lesadresses complètes (y compris code postal etnuméro de téléphone); ainsi que tout autremoyen de contact tel que fax, e-mail, etc. avecl’auteur principal. Le titre abrégé ne devra pasdépasser les 45 caractères, plus les espacesnécessaires, et s’écrira sur la partie supérieurede la page 1 du manuscript en majuscules. Letitre en entier du manuscript sera écrit enmajuscules et minuscules; il devra être aussibref que possible, sans dépasser les 150caractères (y compris les espaces nécessaires),et avec l’indication des noms des espèces. Lesnoms des auteurs, des institutions et lesadresses seront en italique et en lettresmajuscules et minuscules. On laissera unespace en blanc entre le titre et les noms desauteurs. Les adresses seront indiquées comme

des notes à pied de page pour chacun desauteurs après avoir laissé un espace en blancaprès les noms. Chaque note de pied de pagesera numérotée. On laissera deux espaces enblanc après les adresses.

Titres

Les titres de chaque chapitre, par exampleRésumé, Introduction, etc. seront alignés àgauche. Laisser deux espaces en blanc entreles notes de pied de page avec les adresses etle Résumé, et entre le titre Résumé et le textequi suit. Le résumé ne devra pas dépasser les200 mots. Il s’agira d’un résumé objectif quifasse une brève description des processusutilisés et des résultats obtenus, et non pasune simple présentation du travail réaliséavec une description générale des résultats.Laisser un espace en blanc entre la fin dutexte du résumé et les mots-clés, qui serontécrits en italique ainsi que le titre Mots-clés.Les mots-clés seront au maximum six et il nedevra pas y avoir de “et” ou “&”. Tous lestitres principaux de chapitre (14 regular) etsous-chapitre (12 regular) seront en gras avecun espace en blanc avant et après. Le textecommencera sans retrait. Un titre à l’intérieurd’un sous-chapitre s’écrira en italique, suivid’un point, avec le texte à continuation.

Tableaux et figures

Les tableaux et les figures iront à la fin dutexte en suivant l’ordre d’apparition dans letexte. Les photographies ne seront pasdévolues aux auteurs.

Tableaux

Les tableaux, y compris les notes de pied depage, devront avoir un espace en blanc avantet après. Le numéro du tableau et le titres’écriront sur la partie supérieure en italique(12) avec un point à la fin et un espace enblanc en dessous. Sur chaque colonne, titred’en-tête ou sous-titre, seulement la premièrelettre du premier mot sera en majuscule. Lestableaux et leur titre seront alignés à gauche,ainsi que le texte. Les lignes verticales et

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horizontales seront utilisées seulement sinécessaires. Ne pas utiliser les tabs ou la barrede séparation pour créer un tableau.

Figures

Les figures, y compris les titres et leslégendes, seront précédés et suivis de deuxespaces en blanc. Le numéro de la figure et letitre s’écriront sur la partie supérieure enitalique (12) avec un point à la fin. Sous larubrique figure on trouvera lesphotographies, les graphiques, les cartes, lesdiagrammes, etc. Dans le cas desdiagrammes, la matrice originale avec lesdonnées utilisées pour son élaboration devraêtre envoyée. On recommande l’utilisation deWord 6.0 ou Excel 5.0 pour la présentationdes diagrammes.

Références

Toute référence présente dans le texte devraapparaître sur la liste des références, etchaque référence de la liste aura été citée aumoins une fois dans le texte. Les référencesiront en ordre alphabétique du nom del’auteur, suivi de l’année. Example dans le casd’une référence sur une revue:

Köhler-Rollefson, I.,1992; The camel breedsof India in social and historical perspective.Animal Genetic Resources Information 10,53-64.

Lorsqu’il s’agit de plus d’un auteur:Matos, C.A.P., D.L. Thomas, D. Gianola,

R.J. Tempelman & L.D. Young, 1997; Geneticanalysis of discrete reproductive traits insheep using linear and nonnlinear models:1. Estimation of genetic parameters 75, 76-87.

Dans le cas d’un livre ou d’une publicationad hoc, par example un rapport, une thèse,etc.:


S’il s’agit d’un acte d’une réunion:Hammond, K., 1996; FAO’s programme

for the management of farm animal geneticresources. In C. Devendra (Ed.) Proceedingsof IGA/FAO Round Table on the GlobalManagement of Small Ruminant GeneticResources, Beijing, May 1996, FAO, Bangkok,Thailand, 4-13.

Lorsque l’information contenue dansl’article ait été obtenue ou dérive d’un siteWorld Wide Web, il faudra mettre le texteentre guillemets; par example “tiré de la FAO.1996” et indiquer dans les Références la formestandard URL:


Le Prof. Galal a quitté la FAO le 1er février 2000 pour aller au Caire(Ain Shams University, Faculty of Agriculture, Animal Production Dept.).

Aucun changement n’a eu lieu en ce qui concerne la responsabilité éditorialepour AGRI.

Pour tout envoi de manuscripts ou correspondence au sujet d’AGRI, vous êtesprié d’utiliser l’adresse suivante:

[email protected]

Merci pour votre collaboration

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Reglas y normas editoriales

El objetivo del Boletín de Información sobreRecursos Genéticos Animales (AGRI) es ladivulgación de la información sobre unamejor gestión de los recursos genéticosanimales de interés para la producciónalimentaria y agrícola, siguiendo la EstrategiaMundial para la Gestión de los RecursosGenéticos de los Animales Domésticos. Todoslos aspectos referidos a la caracterización, laconservación y el uso de estos recursos serántomados en consideración, de acuerdo con laConvención sobre la Biodiversidad.

AGRI publicará información sobregenética, encuestas fenotípicas y económicasy descripciones comparativas, uso, desarrolloy conservación de los recursos genéticosanimales, así como sobre el desarrollo deestrategias operacionales y normas quepermitan una gestión más eficaz de la relacióncosto/eficacia. Por ello, AGRI prestaráespecial atención a las contribucionesreferidas a razas y normas capaces decontribuir a la intensificación sostenible de losmedios (agroecosistemas) con ingresos medioy bajos en el mundo, que comprenden casi lamayor parte de las tierras dedicadas a laproducción ganadera; la producción total dealimentos y agricultura provenientes de laganadería; y el resto de los recursos genéticosde animales domésticos.

Los puntos de vista expresados en losartículos publicados en AGRI son solamentelas opiniones de los autores y, por tanto, noreflejan necesariamente la opinión de lasinstituciones para las cuales trabajan dichosautores, de la FAO o de los editores.

La oportunidad o no de publicar unartículo en AGRI será juzgada por los editoresy revisores.

Publicación electrónica

Además de su publicación impresa, la versióníntegra de AGRI se encuentra disponibleelectrónicamente sobre Internet, en el sito:<<http://www.fao.org/dad-is/>>

Tipos de artículos

Serán publicados en AGRI los siguientes tiposde artículos:

Artículos sobre investigación

Se tomarán en consideración para supublicación en AGRI los estudios sobre lacaracterización, conservación y uso de losrecursos genéticos de los animales domésticos(AnGR) con una buena descripción delentorno. Se agradecerá el envío de fotografíasde calidad que presenten a las razas encuestión en su ambiente natural deproducción.

Artículos de revisión

Se podrán tener en consideraciónocasionalmente aquellos artículos quepresenten una revisión de losagroecosistemas, a nivel nacional, regional omundial, con el desarrollo de uno o másaspectos referidos a la gestión de los recursosgenéticos animales, incluidas las revisionessobre el estado actual de las distintas áreas deAnGR.

Artículos específicos

Se solicitarán puntualmente artículos sobretemas específicos para ediciones especiales.

Otro material para publicación

Incluye la revisión de libros, noticias y notasreferidas a reuniones importantes, cursos deformación y principales eventos nacionales,regionales e internacionales, así comoconclusiones y recomendaciones relacionadascon los objetivos de estos principales eventos.Se invita a los lectores a enviar este tipo dematerial a los editores.

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Guía para los autores

Presentación del manuscrito

Los artículos se presentarán en inglés, francéso español, junto con un resumen en inglés ysu traducción en francés o español, y seenviarán al editor de AGRI, AGAP, FAO,Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Roma,Italia. Otra posibilidad es enviar el artículopor correo electrónico adjuntando eldocumento en versión WinWord a<[email protected]>. Las fotografías, a color o enblanco y negro, se enviarán siempre porcorreo normal.

Los manuscritos se presentarán con dobleespacio y con el número correspondiente acada línea en el margen izquierdo. Todas laspáginas serán numeradas, incluidas las de lasreferencias bibliográficas, cuadros, etc. Elautor recibirá una notificación sobre larecepción de su documento.

En el caso de aceptación de un artículodespués de su revisión, se solicitará al autoruna versión final de su artículo revisado endisquete (formato 31/2”) en Word 6.0 xWindows, así como una copia impresa delmismo.

Preparación del manuscrito

En la primera página del manuscrito seindicará el título abreviado del artículo, títulosy nombres de los autores, instituciones,direcciones completas (incluido código postaly número de teléfono); así como otros mediosde contacto tales como fax, e-mail, etc., delautor principal. El título abreviado no deberásobrepasar los 45 caracteres más los espacioscorrespondientes, y aparecerá en la partesuperior de la página 1 del manuscrito enmayúsculas. El título entero del manuscritoviene escrito en mayúsculas y minúsculas.Dicho título debe ser lo más breve posible yno sobrepasar los 150 caracteres (incluidos losespacios necesarios), con los nombres de lasespecies, si necesario. Los nombres de losautores, instituciones y direcciones seescribirán en cursiva y en letras mayúsculas yminúsculas. Se dejará una línea en blanco

entre el título y los nombres de los autores.Las direcciones se escribirán como notas depie de página de cada autor después de dejaruna línea en blanco entre los nombres y éstas.Cada nota de pie de página con la direcciónvendrá indicada numéricamente. Se dejarándos líneas en blanco después de lasdirecciones.

Títulos

Los títulos de cada sección, por ejemploResumen, Introducción, etc., vienen alineadosa la izquierda. Dejar dos líneas en blancoentre las notas de pie de página con lasdirecciones y el Resumen y entre el títuloResumen y el texto que sigue. El resumen nodeberá exceder de 200 palabras. Deberá ser unresumen objetivo que describa brevemente losprocesos y logros obtenidos, y no unapresentación de cómo se ha llevado a cabo elestudio y una descripción genérica de losresultados. Dejar una línea en blanco entre elfinal del texto del resumen y las palabrasclave, que se escribirán en cursiva así como eltitulo Palabras clave. No deberán ser más deseis y no deberán contener “y” o “&”. Todoslos títulos principales de capítulo (14 regular)y subcapítulo (12 regular) serán en negrita eirán precedidos y seguidos de una línea enblanco. El texto correspondiente empezará sinsangrado. Un título dentro de un subcapítulose escribirá en cursiva e ira seguido de unpunto con a continuación el textocorrespondiente.

Cuadros y figuras

Los cuadros y las figuras se incluirán al finaldel texto siguiendo el orden de cita dentro delmismo. Las fotografías no serán devueltas asus autores.

Cuadros

Los cuadros, incluidas las notas de pie depágina, deberán ir precedidos y seguidos pordos líneas en blanco. El numero del cuadro ysu título se escribirán en la parte superior encursiva (12) con un punto al final y seguido

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de una línea en blanco. En cada columna otítulo de encabezamiento o subtítulo, sólo laprimera letra de la primera palabra irá enmayúscula. Los cuadros irán numerados deforma consecutiva con números árabes. Loscuadros y sus títulos se alinearán a laizquierda, así como el texto. Se utilizaránlíneas horizontales o verticales sólo cuandosea necesario. No utilizar tabuladores o labarra espaciadora para crear un cuadro.

Figuras

Las figuras, incluidos los títulos y leyendas,irán precedidas y seguidas de dos líneas enblanco. El número de la figura y el título seescribirán en la parte superior en cursiva (12)con un punto al final. La palabra figuraincluye las fotografías, los gráficos, los mapas,los diagramas, etc. En el caso del diagrama seenviará la matriz original con los datosutilizados para crearlo. Se recomiendaencarecidamente la utilización de Word 6.0 oExcel 5.0 para la presentación de losdiagramas.

Referencias

Toda referencia presente en el texto deberáaparecer en la lista de referencias y, de lamisma manera, cada referencia de la listadeberá haber sido citada por lo menos unavez en el texto. Las referencias deben ir enorden alfabético del apellido del autor,seguido por el año.

Ejemplo en el caso de una referencia deuna revista:

Köhler-Rollefson, I.,1992; The camel breedsof India in social and historical perspective.Animal Genetic Resources Information 10,53-64.

Cuando se trata de más de un autor:Matos, C.A.P., D.L. Thomas, D. Gianola,

R.J. Tempelman & L.D. Young, 1997; Geneticanalysis of discrete reproductive traits insheep using linear and nonnlinear models:1. Estimation of genetic parameters 75, 76-87.

En el caso de un libro o de una publicaciónad hoc, por ejemplo informes, tesis, etc.:


Cuando se trate de un artículo dentro delas actas de una reunión:

Hammond, K., 1996; FAO’s programmefor the management of farm animal geneticresources. In C. Devendra (Ed.) Proceedingsof IGA/FAO Round Table on the GlobalManagement of Small Ruminant GeneticResources, Beijing, May 1996, FAO, Bangkok,Thailand, 4-13.

Cuando la información contenida en elartículo haya sido obtenida o derive de unsito World Wide Web, poner el texto entrecomillas; por ejemplo “sacado de la FAO.1996” e indicar en las Referencias la formaestándar URL:


El Prof. Galal dejó la FAO el 1 de febrero del 2000 para ir al Cairo (AinShams University, Faculty of Agriculture, Animal Production Dept.).

No ha habido ningún cambio en cuanto a la responsabilidadeditorial de AGRI.

Se ruega enviar los manuscritos o la correspondencia relativa a AGRI a ladirección siguiente:

[email protected]

Gracias por su colaboración

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