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https://theconversation.com/hundreds-of-livestock-breeds-have-gone-extinct-but-some-australian-farmers-are-keeping-endangered-breeds-alive-250393>
"It took thousands of years to develop the world’s extraordinary range of
domesticated farm animals – an estimated 8,800 livestock breeds across 38
farmed species.
But this diversity is dwindling fast. Advances in selective breeding and
artificial insemination have fuelled the global spread of a small number of
profitable livestock types. Their popularity has left ever more heritage breeds
at risk of extinction.
Why does this matter? Each breed represents vital genetic diversity for the
livestock species on which we rely, known as agrobiodiversity. As the number of
breeds shrink, we lose their genetics forever.
There are bright spots amid the decline. Hundreds of passionate farmers are
working hard to keep heritage breeds alive around Australia. As my new book
shows, they do it primarily for love."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
