This study aimed at using a multivariate approach to describe the body structure of Djallonke sheep in northern Ghana and to determine which approach explains better the variation in body composition. Live weight (LW) and linear body measurements including heart girth (HG), neck girth (NG), chest depth (CD), height at withers (HW), rump height (RH), body length (BL) and pin-bone width (PBW) were obtained from 172 sheep aged between two and three years. The fixed effects of sex and age were tested using the general linear model (GLM) while the Nearest Neighbor method of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis was used to group body traits into clusters. Principal Component Factor Analysis was used to describe the variation in body traits where extracted factors were varimax rotated to enhance interpretability. The analysis of variance revealed significant (P < 0.01) differences in the morphological traits of the two sexes with higher values recorded for the male in all traits examined except in PBW, which was insignificant (P > 0.05). Age had no significant influence (P > 0.05) on the body traits. The sheep weighed 26.92 ± 0.89 kg averagely and had averages of other body measurements to be: 71.74 ± 1.23, 40.52 ± 0.79, 27.73 ± 0.52, 60.72 ± 0.86, 59.61 ± 0.87, 58.87 ± 1.06 and 12.81 ± 0.23 cm for HG, NG, CD, HW, RH, BL and PBW, respectively. The product moments of correlation were positive and significant (P < 0.05, 0.01; r = 0.18–0.99) for all pairs of traits. The body traits were categorized mainly into two clusters with the first cluster comprising the HG, HW, RH and BL while NG, CD and PBW formed the second cluster. The grouping of the traits was slightly different in Factor analysis where two underlying principal components (PC) were extracted to discern the variance structure of the Djallonke sheep. The first principal component which consisted of CD, HW, RH, BL and PBW explained 61.26 percent and the second, 12.92 percent thereby giving a maximum of 74.17 percent generalized variance in body measurements. The traits loaded on the first principal component are closely associated with bone growth hence describing the general body size conformation while the traits (HG and NG) on the second component seem to describe only the thoracic region. It can be concluded that both the Hierarchical Cluster analysis and the Factor analysis grouped body traits similarly but the later is to be recommended because of the additional ability of indicating the amount of variation explained by the developed factors.

Backyard poultry is considered as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation. It is further promoted as a way of empowering women in communities where there is gender bias in poultry raising. The low-input systems involved are based on local breeds that are perfectly suited to their environment. However, socio-economic processes put local genetic resources under pressure, leading to the erosion of biodiversity. The present survey addresses this issue in the case of Kabylie, a mountainous coastal region of Algeria, through a survey conducted in 90 households raising poultry, a morpho-biometric description of 315 local chickens, and a performance evaluation of both growth and egg production in experimental semi-intensive conditions. The socio-economic profile of poultry smallholders in Kabylie reveals poor education and high diversification of agricultural assets and confirms gender bias in poultry keeping. The erosion of local genetic resources in chicken is found to be severe despite their cultural importance in Kabylie. From complementary surveys among experienced poultry keepers, the major original local type is postulated to consist of three varieties with black plumage (pure black, mottled and barred). The performance evaluation raised promising results, suggesting that exploiting the local breed could pursue some degree of improvement of low-input backyard systems. Finally, a strategy for a revival of the local breed through the support of the most involved smallholders is outlined in accordance with the information collected in the survey.

The objective of this paper was to estimate the farmers' preferences based on the non-market traits in selection, breeding and conservation of indigenous chicken. The study was carried out in four selected counties of Kenya. Data were collected using structured questionnaires with the use of multi-attribute elicitation techniques applied to 450 rural households. Conjoint analysis through an ordered probit model was used to analyse the data. The study identified traits preferred by the farmers based on their current low-input production circumstances. Using these traits, indigenous chicken can be selected for higher productivity and performance while retaining their diversity and adaptability. In general, the determination of the importance of various attributes elucidates to the stakeholders some valuable aspects that would assist them in overcoming some of the major constraints of indigenous chicken production in rural areas and at the same time provides vital information for selection, conservation and development of breeding programmes.

Conservation of animal genetic resources (AGR) in Scandinavia was started in the 1970s and organized in the 1980s. The work is coordinated by a working party financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Each country conserves its own AGR, but many tasks can be done jointly. Of these tasks, the development and maintenance of a Nordic data bank for AGR is an important part. Each country has mapped out its situation and prepared plans for conserving endangered native breeds and genetic variation in some major breeds for unpredictable future needs. Live animals from several breeds have been conserved in agricultural schools, prison farms and private herds, but these have been supplemented by stores of frozen semen and embryos. Developments in conservation methods are followed up and problems of conservation pointed out. Many of these are caused by the fact that animals grow, age, die and have to be mated regularly with unrelated animals, and that records have to be made of identities, mates, dates and traits. Many precautionary measures are necessary. Many-sided frozen semen and embryo stores are important besides live animal herds or flocks. There are problems in getting each female inseminated with an appropriate male, and in getting people working on different motives to collaborate.

This article describes the characteristics of the Chilote breed of sheep (OCH) as a genetic animal resource which is highly adapted to the conditions of the Chiloé archipelago in the south of Chile. The article describes the geomorphological features of the archipelago, the historical and cultural origins of the Chilote breed, its genetic structure, its morphological and productive characteristics, and the systems of production in which it is used.

European countries are individually and in collaboration carrying out active work on animal genetic resources (AnGR). The region has a very good starting point for work on AnGR: The breed concept was developed in Europe; current European mainstream breeds are derived from local breeds and, in many species, have further formed the core of the international breeds; there has always been very active research in Europe on farm animal genetics and breeding, including sustainable utilization and management of variation.

Since the 1970s and 1980s many European countries have been paying attention to local breeds and have saved many of them from total extinction. In quite a few countries, the conservation work has been supported by cryopreservation. In the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) coordinated process, Europe has actively contributed to assessing the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources and will continue to implement the Global Plan of Action. There are now national action plans in most of the European countries.

The European consumption of animal products has changed very little over recent decades. At the same time, production has become very intensive. Among other driving forces, the development of agriculture is steered by the EU policies. The last decade has seen new kind of thinking and measures directed towards an overall consideration of rural development. This has given room for the revitalization of many local breeds. The aim is to have schemes that promote the self-sustainability of local breeds. The EU also has a very ambitious research programme to support these aims while enhancing the overall sustainable production and management of biological resources.

The European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP) is a common forum for the coordinators of European national programmes on AnGR. There are also many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the animal sector. These NGOs and networks are most relevant to raising awareness about the importance of values of AnGR and in enhancing activities that contribute to conservation and sustainable use of AnGR.

The objective of this study is to present the local livestock breeds threatened with extinction as well to suggest an alternative initiative for their preservation and utilization. Both the geographical location and natural resources of Bulgaria are prerequisites for a large variety among species and strains of farm animals. Traditionally a considerable number of local breeds and strains have been bred on the territory of the country. In the recent 25–30 years an evident decline of their numbers is marked chiefly due to the introduction of high-productive, widespread breeds. This study presents the biological features of local indigenous breeds of farm animals threatened with extinction as well as the specificity of their region of location. The genetic research results based on polymorphism of serum blood proteins and blood groups are discussed. The diversity of indigenous sheep breeds is the largest, and 15 of them are under control. In latter years investigations show that they are 1.3 to 3.6 per cent from the total number of this species. The genetic analyses attest that these specific genetic resources can be used for keeping the genetic variety within and between sheep populations as well as for improving the adaptability of the newlyestablished breeds. Among the cattle two local breeds are of interest for genetic resources preservation purposes. As the most attractive emerges, Rhodope's Short-Horned cattle having unique biological characteristics as a representative of Bos Taunis in Europe and whose domain of location is over 1800 meters above sea level. The only impressive strain among the pig breeds has a different biological status from the well-known breeds on the European continent. The results of the present study show that the investigated indigenous breeds and strains are mainly located in mountainous regions considered as“hard”for farming. Thus, the preservation of genetic resources of local farm animals will contribute in using their valuable abilities of adaptation for breeding programmes in ecologically clear regions.

Cet article analyse dans quelle mesure les nouvelles perspectives offertes par les biotechnologies de la reproduction s'appliquent aux activités de conservation des ressources génétiques animales. Ces activités ont été regroupées autour de cinq thémes: Décrire, Détruire, Défendre, Stocker, Recréer. Ces techniques n'apportent aucun plus pour la description des caractéristiques d'une population ou d'une race. La principals menace qui pése sur une race d'animaux domestiques est de disparaitre par croisement avec une autre, et l'insémination artificielle représente de ce point de vue un danger certain. Inversement, l'insémination artificielle peut devenir un instrument de défense des races locales. II serait plus difficile de trouver une justification A l'utilisation de la plupart des autres biotechnologies (transfert d'embryons, sexage, clonage) pour la protection et la promotion des races locales. Pour la conservation des ressources génétiques, la cryoconservation des spermatozdides et des embryons, mais également les ovocytes, voire des morceaux de gonades et des cellules somatiques est un outil irremplagable. La demiére partie présente des calculs sur les possibilités de re-création de races, selon la nature du matériel stocks.

The author gives information on the phenotypic and genetic characteristics, the history and the present state of the endangered breed German Coach Horse

The Fayoumi (Oasis/Province of Fayotimi) or Ramadi (village of Dar-el-Ramad) breed of chicken is said to have been introduced into this area in the early part of the 19th century; phenotypically it recalls the Silver Campine from which it is reputed to descend. A hardy and well adapted breed it was saved through the creation of the Fayoumi Poultry Research Station in 194é, which also assured an active improvement policy of the breed. The creation in 1958 of the Fayoumi Poultry Cooperative Society further strengthened the conservation of the breed and its use through distribution of genetic material to farmers and smallholders of the Fayoumi province. Since the early é0's the breed is reported to have been successfully introduced to countries as different as the UK and the USA, Vietn@ Iraq, Pakistan and India. Its adaptability and resistance to the problems of xyrotherrnic tropical and sub-tropical conditions is confirmed by its actual prevalence in Southern Egypt.

The present study was carried out with the aim of proposing the preservation of buffaloes not only as productive livestock, but also as a part of the diversity of the Greek wetlands. The total buffalo total population in Greece was in the late 40's over 100 000 animals. At present, only a few hundred animals are found in four Ramsar wetland sites in Macedonia and Thrace. This small population is threatened with immediate extinction because of the rapidly changing rural socioeconomic conditions and the expansion of cultivated fields in the old marshiands. Furthermore, consumers are rapidly losing contact with buffaloes and their products.

On the front lines of Croatia's war areas live the Turopolje pigs, in danger of extinction. Immediate action is sorely needed. The new European Foundation SAVE (Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe), an umbrella organization for the in-situ conservation of agricultural genetic resources, has started an international rescue project. The remaining pigs are listed and will be regrouped for a mating program, which avoids inbreeding. For an additional insurance, SAVE will also bring new breeding groups away from the front lines in, and outside of, Croatia. A breeding register has been set up provisionally at the herdbook office for endangered breeds with Pro Specie Rara in St. Gallen, Switzerland.