The Livestock Conservancy Inc

TO PROTECT AMERICA'S ENDANGERED LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY BREEDS FROM EXTINCTION.

THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY IS AMERICA'S LEADING NON-PROFIT CONSERVING THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF FARM ANIMALS. THE BIODIVERSITY EMBODIED IN RARE, HERITAGE BREEDS OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY IS CENTRAL TO AGRICULTURAL CHOICES AND CHANGES. CONSERVATION IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH OUR DISCOVER, SECURE, AND SUSTAIN PROCESS. THE CONSERVANCY INVESTIGATES AND DOCUMENTS REMNANT POPULATIONS, ANALYZES THEIR UNIQUE GENETIC AND PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS, AND COLLABORATES WITH BREED STAKEHOLDERS FOR BREED CONSERVATION. RARE BREEDS ARE SECURED THROUGH AN ANNUAL BREED CENSUS, PEDIGREE REGISTRATION, RESEARCH, CONSERVATION BREEDING PLANS, AND GENEBANKING. THE CONSERVANCY WORKS AS A CATALYST TO SUSTAIN RARE BREEDS AND REINTEGRATE THEM INTO AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS. MICROGRANTS SUPPORT RARE LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY BREEDERS OF ALL AGES.

THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY'S EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS GIVE FARMERS AND BREED ORGANIZATIONS THE TOOLS TO MAINTAIN THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ENDANGERED BREEDS. THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY PROVIDES EDUCATION ON ALL FACETS OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, INCLUDING BREED SELECTION, HUSBANDRY, BREEDING, AND MARKETING THROUGH CONSULTATIONS, BOOKS, VIDEOS, ON-LINE MATERIALS, AND EVENTS. TRAINING AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE MONTHLY ONLINE DISCUSSIONS WITH ANIMAL AND MARKETING EXPERTS, INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE BREEDS WEEK IN MAY, AND THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED SHAVE 'EM TO SAVE 'EM INITIATIVE TO EXPAND RARE WOOL MARKETS. THE CONSERVANCY COLLABORATES WITH RESEARCHERS, PRIVATE INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND BREEDERS TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR LIVESTOCK OWNERS TO BETTER MANAGE GENETIC CONSERVATION, PRODUCTION, AND BREED PROMOTION. A NEW BREED ASSOCIATION TRAINING AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM SUPPORTS ORGANIZATIONS IN LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND USE OF BEST PRACTICES FOR TO BUILD EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS AND IMPROVE CONSERVATION OUTCOMES. THE THIRD EDITION OF THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY'S BREEDING MANUAL, MANAGING BREEDS FOR A SECURE FUTURE, WAS PUBLISHED THIS YEAR.

INDIVIDUAL SPECIES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: DONKEYS: COMPLETED A CENSUS OF GLOBALLY ENDANGERED POITOU DONKEYS, IDENTIFIED PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN ANIMALS AND CREATED NEW COLLABORATIONS AMONG BREEDERS; DOCUMENTED A CARE REGIMEN FOR NEWBORN POITOU FOALS. SHEEP: SHAVE 'EM TO SAVE 'EM PROGRAM EXPANDED FIBER SALES FOR 60% OF RARE BREED WOOL PRODUCERS AND ENGAGED FIBER ARTISTS IN USING RARE-BREED WOOL FOR FIBER CHALLENGES; COMPLETED A NATIONAL CENSUS OF THE GULF COAST SHEEP BREED, A NATIVE OF THE DEEP SOUTH, AND IDENTIFIED MANY PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN FLOCKS. HORSES: GUIDED OWNERS IN BANKING GERMPLASM FOR TRADITIONAL MORGAN, LIPIZZAN AND AKHAL TEKE HORSES. POULTRY SPECIES: COMPLETED A NATIONAL CENSUS OF 120 BREEDS TO IDENTIFY TRENDS IN POPULATION SIZES AND TARGET BREED CONSERVATION EFFORTS; AFTER 20 YEARS OF CONSERVATION EFFORTS, SECURED COTTON PATCH GEESE, AN AMERICAN BREED THAT HAS NOW FOUND A SECURE NICHE ON SMALL FARMS. SWINE: PRODUCED A NEW EDITION OF THE HERITAGE SWINE PRODUCTION MANUAL AND COLLECTED AND CRYOPRESERVED GENETIC MATERIAL FROM THE HIGHLY ENDANGERED CHOCTAW HOG BREED.