Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Today’s community requires an increase in food production. Animals are today bred so that they produce more than their ancestors did. Production has been the most important and breeds with the highest production levels have therefore become popular. Many of the old local breeds have become extinct or are about to become extinct because of this trend. For our Swedish native breeds only a small number of individuals are left. To save the breeds that are left the Swedish board of agriculture has the responsibility to conserve these native breeds. People are working on several different levels, both local and national to preserve the native breeds. The native breeds have recently received attention among politicians. We have recently recognized that our native breeds may carry important genetic resources. In case of an emergency these resources can come to play an important role. Research in this area is both helpful in designing breeding programs and to study the genetic variation within and between breeds. It appears that some local breeds carry rare haplotypes which may play an important role in the conservation of native breeds and the development of production strains. According to Weitzmans method local breeds contribute with 70.2% to the total genetic variation and therefore it would mean a huge loss of genetic material if these breeds will disappear.