Heritage Livestock Breeds

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Came across the following website for Heritage Livestock:

http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html

Paul B.

[Mike_Schramm]

Re: Heritage Livestock Breeds

Just to make sure everyone realizes that this site only deals with breeds of livestock that are threatened.

For Example, the Morgan Breed of Horse dates from 1788 but is not listed because it is not at risk of disappearing.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Heritage Livestock Breeds

While consulting local historical sources about the agriculture of an area is the best way to find out about the specifics of, say, (insert your state/region here), the ALBC offers the opportunity to find information about the breeds that may have been present on "your" farm or area. Many of the breeds of livestock common to the 1850s and 1860s are now threatened or endangered through modern breeding programs and corporate agriculture. Many heritage breeds lack the qualities desired by modern agribusiness, such as lean/fat ratios, age to maturation, etc.

Mr. Schramm is correct that some breeds common to the era are not present among the ALBC inventories; while the Morgan may not listed due to its preservation status and commonality in the "modern" horse world, other animals are absent because we do not know what breed they were or other specific information about them. Take for instance what may farmers of the era called the common American hog. Prior to movement to improve bloodlines with named livestock breeds, farmer's more than likely just called their swine common hogs with no emphasis on breeding. In fact, breeding was in no way managed since hogs were commonly allowed to roam in the woods for six months per year, foraging at their leisure and removing one task from the farmer's day. As such, hogs bred and crossbred at random with no "scientific" management. As such, there is no way in accurately naming a breed or knowing what the common hog looked like in any region, and there would be massive regional variety with this one animal alone. Much the same could be said of cattle. Without careful breed management and the funds necessary to maintain or insert a purebred specimen, many have described early cows as breedless until such time as farmers could truly afford to purchase blooded stock or access the breeding services of blooded stock.

This being said, certain areas of the country improved their animals earlier than other areas. Ohioans had earlier access to imported and improved bloodlines than Iowans did.

If you know that your "farmer" used a certain breed of animal, the ALBC is a very good place to start when looking for information about the breed, as well as breed associations.

[Mike_Schramm]

Re: Heritage Livestock Breeds

We are in 100% agreement Mr. Welch.

ALBC is a great place to start for research of heritage breeds. I just didn't want the "casual viewer" to assume the ALBC's list was inclusive.

For heirloom seeds, you can try rareseeds.com or the seed savers exchange.

[Jennifer T Wisener]

Re: Heritage Livestock Breeds

If anyone is interested in Hertiage sheep, the NC Historical Site, Aycoke Birthplace will have 5 lambs and a year old ram that are Gulf Coast Native sheep for sale. Due to state budget cuts, the site is having to sell them.

Would be nice if someone interested in the breed bought them, if not they go to the stock yard.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Heritage Livestock Breeds

Just to make sure everyone realizes that this site only deals with breeds of livestock that are threatened.

For Example, the Morgan Breed of Horse dates from 1788 but is not listed because it is not at risk of disappearing.

Mike,

Initial Post was not mean to be conclusive...thanks for the clarification...

Please if anyone has additional information, web-sites, recommended reading lists...please don't hesitate to make a post.

Paul B.