The State of the World survey of animal genetic resources (SoWAnGR) has highlighted the necessity to reconcile the varying systems applied by different organisations for the identification and categorisation of endangered breeds of livestock. Currently, many of these systems are irreconcilable. In particular, there is a need to interpret national breed populations in the context of their international population. Rare Breeds International has developed and applied a system which overcomes these problems, and which coincides with criteria applied by FAO. The system utilises three criteria, namely distinctiveness, local adaptation, and numerical scarcity. Numerical scarcity is measured preferentially by the number of annual female registrations rather than the number of breeding females. The system embodies simplicity, accuracy and effectiveness, based on global data, and will enable more effective interpretation of SoWAnGR reports.

The narrowing of the genetic base is of major concern to many cattle breeders and this is a consequence of a small effective population size and an increase in the inbreeding coefficient in cattle populations. Studies of pedigrees of cattle populations found in Canada showed that the effective population size and rate of inbreeding over a 12-year period (1983–94) were 123 and 0.412 percent for Canadienne, 975 and 0.054 percent for Brown Swiss, and 2 183 and 0.024 percent for Jersey cattle populations. Over the same period, the year to year trends in inbreeding coefficients based on co-ancestry was 0.11 percent for Canadienne and 0.07 percent for Brown Swiss cattle populations, and 0.37 percent for Holstein bulls used by the artificial insemination industry. Inbreeding was not found to be a major problem in any of the populations examined. However, only 10 bulls of their respective breed sired 61 percent of the Canadienne, 21 percent of the Brown Swiss, and 29 percent of the Jersey cattle populations, and 41 percent of the Holstein bulls in the bull studs. More and more breeders are demanding proven sires to increase milk production from fewer cows resulting in the narrowing of the genetic base of the national cattle populations. Newer technology that provides precise genetic modification could further contribute to the narrowing of the genetic base compromising the ability to sustain current production and respond to changing markets in the long-term.

The Gir is a famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of the breed is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts of Gujarat. The breeding tract lies between 20°5’ and 22°6’ north latitude and 70° and 72° east longitude. The total cattle population of Saurashtra region i.e., breeding tract of Gir cattle is 2.5 million and Gir breed accounts for 37 percent of total cattle population in the region. The body of Gir animals is well proportioned. Udder in cows is well developed and round. The body weight at one year of age was 138 kg in males and 136 kg in females. Adult body weight, height at withers, body length and heart girth in cows averaged 313 kg, 120 cm, 125 cm and 160 cm, respectively.

Age at first heat and calving averaged 1 149 and 1 534 day, respectively. Average dry period and inter-calving period were 123 and 423 days, respectively. Heifers received an average 1.07 inseminations for successful conception whereas cows received 1.64 inseminations per conception. Total lactation milk yield averaged 2 063 litres in an average lactation period of 326 days. Average milk yield in 300 days was 1 930 litres. Milk yield per day of calving interval was 4.98 litres. Average fat percentage in the milk ranged between 4.69±0.04 and 4.97±0.02. Gir animals are considered as hardy with low overall mortality (3.63 percent).

The Brazilian Amazon is a wide territory totalling 60 percent of the country's area. Of this area, 600 000 km2 is occupied by humans and related activities. This, among other factors, leads to the destruction of the Amazon's natural resources. The area of cut down and degraded forest may range from 5 to 12 percent of the total area. Therefore, many of the Amazon species are at risk of extinction. However, it is deemed urgent to investigate and preserve the threatened animal species.

The total number of mammal species in the world is recorded at 4 629 and there is a great diversity of them in the Amazon, including animals that live on land, water or those that fly. Despite this huge biodiversity, the most relevant species for the human population, are the domestic species, brought to the continent by the first settlers: Portuguese and Spanish.

The most important livestock in the Amazon region are cattle, horses, buffaloes, sheep and goats. They occupy all Amazon ecosystems and are of very important consideration for the opening of agricultural frontiers and for influencing the natural ecosystems, since the main reason for the cutting down of large forest areas has been to use them for pastures. This has resulted in an artificial ecosystem of degraded natural environment.

The Animal Germplasm Bank of East Amazon (BAGAM) is the animal germplasm bank for the conservation of animal genetic resources of Embrapa East Amazon, and is part of the research project entitled “Animal Genetic Resources of East Amazon”. The project is formed by two sub-projects: “Germplasm bank of animals of interest to the East Region of the Brazilian Amazon” and “Genetic characterisation of buffaloes in the Brazilian Amazon, through the use of molecular markers”. These two sub-projects are linked to the research programme led by CENARGEN, called Conservation and Utilisation of Animal Genetic Resources.

This study presents the actual Basque livestock breed situation. The breeds described are: Betizu, Monchina, Pirenaica and Terreña (bovines); the Asno de las Encartaciones (donkey), Caballo de monte del País Vasco and the Pottoka horse (horses); Carranzana black face and blond face, Latxa black face and blond face and Sasi ardi (sheep); Azpi gorri (goat); Chato vitoriano and Euskal txerria (pigs); Erbi txakurra, Euskal artzain txakurra (shepherd dogs) with two varieties: Gorbeiakoa and Iletsua; Villano de las Encartaciones (cattle dog) and Villanuco de las Encartaciones (dog); Euskal antzara (goose) and the five varieties of the Basque poultry: Beltza, Gorria, Lepasoila, Marraduna and Zilarra (chicken).

The conservation study shows that farmers need these animals. A programme is needed to develop these breeds in natural parks to assure their survival. In this way the society gets to know the Basque livestock heritage. At the same time, it aims at presenting the in vivo conservation and the work carried out by the Association “Euskal abereak” the umbrella of more than 20 societies that work on the conservation and recovery of Basque native breeds.

En este trabajo se describe la cabra de raza Bermeya de Asturias (norte de España). Es una raza de capa rubia que constituyó hasta mediados del siglo XX la población caprina más importante de la rama occidental de la Cornisa Cantábrica española. Los reproductores adultos de esta raza presentan pesos medios de 64 kg en los machos y 42 kg en las hembras. La alzada a la cruz media es de 81 cm en los machos y 74 en las hembras. La longitud escápulo isquiática es, respectivamente, de 75 y 71 cm. Se ha realizado una encuesta en 27 explotaciones inscritas en el Libro Genealógico de la raza para estimar el riesgo estructural que presenta la población. La encuesta caracterizó las condiciones estructurales y socioeconómicas que comprendían la composición del rebaño, la base territorial, instalaciones y maquinaria, la alimentación del ganado, manejo y gestión de reproductores, producciones, destino de la producción y comercialización, estado sanitario, aspectos sociales de la explotación, e ingresos y primas. El sistema productivo en que se desenvuelve la raza Bermeya resulta especialmente frágil: las explotaciones son de pequeña dimensión y con un acusado componente tradicional; las producciones caprinas pueden no resultar competitivas si no existe un decidido apoyo de las administraciones al mantenimiento de esta actividad. Los ganaderos que mantienen ganado de raza Bermeya son fundamentalmente jóvenes y serían receptivos a una acción sostenida de la administración.

People in the villages situated on the bank of the famous salt lake Chilika in Orissa rear buffaloes with almost zero input. These animals, endowed with the special quality of entering deep into the lake and feeding on the vegetation that grows there, help to maintain the natural ecosystem and provide good earnings for the rural people. This biodiversity in buffalo germplasm needs to be preserved. The mean body length, girth, height at withers and weight were 122.3±0.2 cm, 169.7±0.3 cm, 123.9±2.7 cm and 320.0±0.7 kg, respectively. The mean age at first calving was 1 331.4±6.8 days. The average of the first two calving intervals was 431.7±3.6 days. The average daily milk yield of the first three lactations and lactation length was 2.6±0.01 kg and 238.7±2.1 days, respectively. Most of the economic traits had high heritability. The temperature of the habitat ranges approximately between 15°C in winter to 40°C in summer.

Sheep are reared across a wide range of agro-ecosystems in Bhutan. A sample survey was conducted to characterise indigenous sheep breeds and husbandry practices. Information was recorded on morphological characteristics, body measurements and management variables. Based on geographical locations, four distinct native sheep types are described: Jakar, Sipsu, Sakten and Sarpang. This paper also describes the socio-economic importance of sheep, its trends and future prospects of sheep farming in Bhutan.

Muscuovy ducks (Cairina moschata) are popular as a source of poultry meat. Reports on availability of Muscovies (in the free range system of management) in the eastern region of Indu is lacking. In the West Bengal state of Indu two strains of Muscovies have been identified, the strains resemble Black Muscuovy L 303 and White Muscuovy ducks. Ironically they are known as Chinae haras (Chinese duck). Presently a detailed study is being conducted by the author and is being used to develop a strain of broader duck (mule duck) in the region. Reports on availability of Muscovies in this part of the subcontinent are lacking.