10822 1 archive 4832 disk0/00/01/08/22 2007-06-19 2009-08-20 14:36:25 2009-08-20 14:36:25 report show 0 en uk-ocw uk-adas never 0 TRUE Van Diepen Pauline McLean Barbara Dr Frost David pub 5animalbreed breeds, genetic resource, production, Wales, UK, meat, milk, local Organic livestock farming has grown in Wales in recent years. It is focused on producing animals from a predominantly forage-based system, with an emphasis on maintaining animal health through improved welfare and a reduction in the use of routine, conventional veterinary treatments. Breeding and feeding are important factors of the health and welfare of farm animals in organic systems. The guidelines of EU regulation (EC) 1804/1999 address the issue of sourcing of (breeding) stock. Moreover, only activities such as the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and embryo transfer are excluded, and few provisions are included that concern breeding. A number of breeds used in conventional farming could be considered as ’high maintenance’ animals requiring regular, prophylactic veterinary treatments and high-energy concentrated feeds to meet their potential. Such breeds may be unable to fulfil their potential performance under an organic system. A number of breeding strategies are outlined briefly, including traits that are important for organic production systems. Sire reference schemes have been introduced on organic farms in recent years. There is an increase in conservation grazing. Some breeds adapt well to these systems; especially local/native breeds since they utilise lower quality feed, are more resilient to climatic stress, and are more resistant to local parasites and diseases. Several actions are being, and have been, undertaken to maintain breed diversity. However, the need for a genetic pool of breeding stock from which to select is not reflected in the national strategies for livestock production. A Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) report (Yarwood and Evans, 2002) identified 18 breeds of sheep and 3 breeds of cattle associated with Wales. Several surveys have shown that, on organic farms, the Suffolk, Lleyn and the Texel are the main sheep breeds. The most popular beef breeds on organic farms are Welsh Black, Charolais crossbreed, Limousin, South Devon crossbreed, Aberdeen Angus and Hereford crossbreed. On organic farms, more native breeds seem to be used than on conventional farms. A few of these breeds are further discussed. Consumer demand is a significant driver of policy and standards, and value for money is still a major factor in determining consumer buying behaviour. The demand for lean meat and for homogeneity of both fresh and processed products, particularly in the major supermarkets, impacts on breeding policies. Research has shown that Welsh consumers prefer organic Welsh meat and milk. Economic viability of beef, sheep and milk production depends, in many cases, on subsidies. An increasing number of breed societies in Wales and the UK have become involved in promoting their breed as a brand. However, a recent Welsh survey showed that 13% of organically-produced lambs were still being sold as nonorganic due to finishing specifications (41%), a lack of organic market outlets (54%) and other reasons (4%), such as a lack of organic abattoirs (OCW, 2006). As market requirements are standardised and allow for little differentiation, some traditional and rare breeds face marketing difficulties. Furthermore, loss of small-scale abattoirs can reduce the ability for differentiation of breeds to enter niche markets. Large-scale abattoirs use standardised methods, which do not allow for differentiation. As mentioned in a report from DEFRA (2006), the national strategies for livestock production do not reflect the need for a genetic pool of breeding stock. Although breeding has to focus on what the market wants (mass or niche market), other factors also have to be taken into account. The choice of breeds/breeding used in the organic livestock sector needs to ensure the profitability of the farm, safeguard animal health and welfare, focus on conserving genetic diversity, and promote human health. The various breeds outlined in the report show various benefits. It is important to conserve, develop and utilise local breeds that are genetically adapted to their environment. 2007-03 published ADAS Pwllpeiran Cardellino 2002. Conservation of farm animal genetic resources – a global view. In: Farm Animal Genetic Resources. BSAS/DEFRA/RBST/Sheep Trust Conference, 26/27 November 2002. Chambers, F. 2005 Using rare breeds in organic farming systems. Proceedings of 15th IFOAM Organic World Congress, Adelaide 20-23 September 2005. Davies, O.D., McLean, B.M.L, Fraser, M.D. 2006 The financial implications of environmental grazing. A report for Hybu Cig Cymru. DEFRA 2002. UK Country Report. DEFRA 2003. The breeding structure of British sheep industry 2003. www.defra.gov.uk DEFRA 2006. UK National Action Plan on Farm Animal Genetic Resources. www.defra.gov.uk English Nature 2002. www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature 2004. Traditional Breeds Incentive for SSSI. www.englishnature.org.uk Fraser, M.D., Davies, D.A., Vale, J.E., Nute, G.R., Hallett, K.G., Richardson, R.I. and Wright, I.A. 2006. Performance and meat quality of native and continental cross steers grazing ryegrass/white clover improved pasture or semi-natural rough grazing (submitted). Frost, D. and Ardeshir, D. 2004. Monitoring the effects of the Organic Farming Scheme in Wales. In Hopkins, A. (ed.) Organic Farming: Science and practice for profitable livestock and cropping. BGS Occasional Symposium No. 37, BGS/AAB/COR 2004 Conference, Reading. British Grassland Society, pp. 23-26. Grazing Animal Programme (GAP) 2001.The Breed Profiles Handbook: a guide to the selection of livestock breeds for grazing wildlife sites. 37 Grazing Animal Programme 2003. A Marketing Guide for Conservation Grazing Schemes Gwlad July 2006 Haas, G. 2004. Swiss organic dairy farmer survey, 2003. FiBL Animal Husbandry and Animal Breeding Division Research, Institute of Organic Agriculture, CH-Frick. Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) 2005. Meat and livestock compendium. Hybu Cig Cymru 2006. Little Book of Meat Facts. Hybu Cig Cymru 2006a. Market Bulletin, July 2006. Institute of Rural Science (IRS) 2005. Farm Business Survey Wales, 2004/2005; 2005/2006. University of Wales Aberystwyth. Lampkin, N. Measures, M. and Padel, S. 2004. Organic Farm Management Handbook 2004 Nauta, W.J., Saatkamp, H., Baars, T. and Roep, D. 2006. Breeding in organic farming: different strategies, different demands. Paper presented at Joint Organic Congress, Odense, Denmark, May 30-31, 2006. Organic Centre Wales (OCW) 2006. Inward Investment Opportunities In The Welsh Organic Sector. Report to the Welsh Development Agency/Welsh Assembly Government. Organic Studies Centre 2002. Organic Farming Survey 2002. Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) 2006. www.rbst.org.uk/watchlist/cattle.php Rare Breed Trust Australia 2004. Rare Breeds of Domestic Farm Livestock in Australia 2004. Scollan, N. 2003 Strategies for Optimising the Fatty Acid Composition of Beef. IGER Innovations. Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) 2006. The welfare of dairy cows in organic milk production systems. (Ongoing) project report for DEFRA. www.sac.ac.uk/research/animalhealthwelfare/dairy/breeding/organics/ Simm, G. 1998. Genetic Improvement of Cattle and Sheep. Farming Press, Ipswich. Simm, G. Villanueaseva, B. Sinclair, K.D. and Townsend, S. 2004. Farm Animal Genetic Resources, Nottingham University Press, Nottingham. Soil Association (SA) 2001. Organic Farming (summer 2001). Soil Association 2005. Dairy cows on an organic farm: a case study. www.soilassociation.org Soil Association 2006. Soil Association Market Report 2006. Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) 2004. Organic Food: Understanding the Consumer and Increasing Sales. Report commissioned by the Soil Association, supported by the WDA and Organic Centre Wales. Van Diepen, P. and D. Frost (unpublished). Opportunities for marketing of milk and meat of organic dairy steer calves – using dual purpose breeds. Weigel, K.A., Rekaya, R., Zwald, N.R. and Fikse, W.F. 2001. International genetic evaluations of dairy sires using a multiple-trait model with individual animal performance records. Journal of Dairy Science, 84: 2789-2795 Yarwood, R. and Evans, N. 2002. Agricultural Biodiversity Resources of Welsh Domestic Livestock. Report for CCW. University of Plymouth. Young, and Seykora, 1996. Estimates of Inbreeding and Relationship Among Registered Holstein Females in the United States. Journal of Dairy Science 79 (3): 502. http://jds.fass.org/cgi/reprint/79/3/502 Websites used (last accessed 5/3/07): www.cambrianorganics.com www.cannonfarm.co.uk www.defra.gov.uk www.english-nature.org.uk http://europa.eu.int www.graigfarm.co.uk www.grazinganimalsproject.org www.icbf.com www.rachelsorganic.co.uk www.rbst.org.uk www.sac.ac.uk www.soilassociation.org www2.marksandspencer.com www.welshblackcattlesociety.org www.waitrose.com public 7851 1 10822 1 application/pdf en public

breeds07.pdf

breeds07.pdf 345590 http://orgprints.org/10822/1/breeds07.pdf