Phenotypic identification of farm animal genetic resources using computer learning with scoring function

SummaryThe recent call from FAO to take part in the process of preparing the First Report on the State of the World Animal Genetic Resources (SoW) stressed the need to develop management capacity at country level to facilitate the preparation of country reports (CRs). A key role is played by the National Focal Points (NFPs) and the National Coordinators (NCs).A national workshop was held in South Africa in 1998 and a National Committee for Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FanGR) was established. The existing Indigenous Livestock Committee was reviewed and adapted to make it more focused on the management of FAnGR. At the same time a National Coordinator was also identified and the Animal Improvement Institute was nominated as national coordinating institute for FAnGR.The collaboration with some NGOs was strongly suggested, particularly with:a) the Farm Animal Conservation Trust (FACT), to assist with the conservation of farm animal genetic resources. This NGO was modelled on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) in the United Kingdom and on Rare Breeds International (RBI)b) The South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association (SASB) andc) many Rural Communities and National and Provincial animal genetic resource centresThe institutional frame for AnGR conservation in South Africa is briefly described, together with the aims of the South African conservation activities.

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Utilization of farm animal genetic resources in a changing agro-ecological environment in the Nordic countries

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2015.00052 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Juha Kantanen ◽

Peter LÃ¸vendahl ◽

Erling Strandberg ◽

Emma Eythorsdottir ◽

Meng-Hua Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Resources ◽

Nordic Countries ◽

Farm Animal ◽

Ecological Environment ◽

Animal Genetic Resources ◽

Farm Animal Genetic Resources

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A WebGIS platform for the monitoring of Farm Animal Genetic Resources (GENMON)

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0176362 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. e0176362 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Solange Duruz ◽

Christine Flury ◽

Giona Matasci ◽

Florent Joerin ◽

Ivo Widmer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Resources ◽

Farm Animal ◽

Animal Genetic Resources ◽

Farm Animal Genetic Resources

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The farm animal genetic resources of Montenegro

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah0704001m ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 23 (3-4) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bozidarka Markovic ◽

M. Markovic ◽

N. Adzic

Keyword(s):

Genetic Resources ◽

Population Size ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Farm Animal ◽

Horse Breed ◽

Animal Genetic Resources ◽

Farm Animal Genetic Resources ◽

Productive Traits

The review of farm animal genetic resources, degree of danger of extinction and way of preservation of certain autochthonous breeds of livestock in Montenegro was the aim of this article. Origin, geographical distribution, population size, morphological and productive traits of the important populations of livestock, as brachyceros breed of cattle - Busha, coarse wool domestic breeds of sheep (Pivska, Zetska zuja, Ljaba, Bardoka), domestic hilly horse breed and donkey were presented. .

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Evolution of Heritage GeneBank into The Sheep Trust: conservation of native traditional sheep breeds that are commercially farmed, environmentally adapted and contribute to the economy of rural communities

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00041938 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 45-55

Author(s):

D. Bowles ◽

P. Gilmartin ◽

W. Holt ◽

H. Leese ◽

J. Mylne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Resources ◽

Gene Bank ◽

Farm Animal ◽

Sheep Breeds ◽

Animal Genetic Resources ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Farm Animal Genetic Resources ◽

A Priority ◽

The Uk

AbstractThe Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) epidemic of 2001 clearly illustrated the fragility of the UK's farm animal genetic resources. In particular, millions of sheep were killed by the disease and by the ‘stamping out’ policy chosen for disease control. Loss of genetic resources was not evenly spread throughout the UK, nor throughout the many different sheep breeds that are native to the UK and for which the UK has a formal responsibility for protection to the United Nations. In fact, the FMD epidemic demonstrated for the first time that sheep breeds comprising large numbers of individuals which are commercially farmed, can nevertheless be at considerable risk of extinction. The breeds most affected were those restricted to geographical regions of the UK into which the FMD spread. These regionally important breeds are adapted to their particular regional environments, represent an important living heritage for the UK and are a key component in sustaining the rural economies of sheep farming communities.The events of 2001 provided clear proof that there are two components of the UK's farm animal genetic resources demanding protection. One component is already recognised as a priority and is composed of the numerically rare breeds of all domesticated species: these are already under the protection of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). The second component has not previously been recognised as a priority for protection. The FMD crisis proved that sheep breeds could exist as large numbers of individuals, but nevertheless face extinction due to their regional location. Urgent attention must be focussed on our Heritage Breeds of sheep. The UK has one of the greatest number of native sheep breeds of any country in the world. The Heritage Breeds provide potentially valuable genetic resources for environmental, low-input farming systems.Heritage GeneBank was founded during the FMD epidemic specifically to protect sheep breeds at threat of extinction from the disease. A group of academic research scientists established a genetic salvage programme: collecting semen and embryos for protection in a gene bank. Germplasm from seven breeds is in long-term storage. Following the crisis, the scientists involved in the gene bank made a commitment to continue their conservation work in recognition that the Heritage Breeds of sheep in the UK continue to require protection.This paper describes: (1) the work of Heritage GeneBank (HGB); (2) the threefold mission of The Sheep Trust, the new national charity that evolved from HGB (http://www.thesheeptrust.org); and (3) the ongoing urgent need for conservation of the UK's Heritage Breeds of sheep threatened by genetic erosion.

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Conservation of farm animal genetic resources – a global view

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00041902 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

R.A. Cardellino

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Genetic Resources ◽

Extreme Environments ◽

Global Strategy ◽

Farm Animal ◽

Human Populations ◽

Animal Products ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Animal Genetic Resources ◽

Farm Animal Genetic Resources

AbstractFarm animal genetic resources face a double challenge. On the one hand the demand for animal products is increasing in developing countries. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated that demand for meat will double by 2030 (2000 basis) and demand for milk will more than double in this 30-year period. On the other hand, animal genetic resources are disappearing rapidly worldwide. Over the past 15 years, 300 out of 6000 breeds identified by FAO have become extinct, and 1 to 2 breeds disappear every week. FAO has been requested by its member countries to develop and implement a global strategy for the management of farm animal genetic resources. It is important to conserve local breeds because many of them utilise lower quality feed, are more resilient to climatic stress, are more resistant to local parasites and diseases, and represent a unique source of genes for improving health and performance traits of industrial breeds. It is important also to develop and utilise local breeds that are genetically adapted to their environments. Genotype x environment interactions are important especially where extreme environments are involved. Most of these production environments are harsh, with very limited natural and managerial inputs, and they are not limited to developing countries. Animals genetically adapted to these conditions will be more productive at lower costs. They will support food, agriculture and cultural diversity, and will be effective in achieving local food security objectives. In many countries local communities depend on these adapted genetic resources. Their disappearance or drastic modification, for example by crossbreeding, absorption or replacement by exotic breeds, will have tremendous impacts on these human populations. Most breeds at risk are not supported by any established conservation activity or related policy, and breed extinction rates are increasing.

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