American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Preserves Endangered Animals

100 years ago the most popular chicken was the speckled Dominique. The Dominique hen was a good layer of eggs from feed foraged from the farmyard. Her male offspring grew well and made a dandy Sunday dinner.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy was started to draw attention and conservation to the plight of rare breeds of livestock. Many of these animals are rare due to changes in agriculture practices such as confinement systems.

The ALBC offers critical roles in the preservation of these heritage livestock breeds. Although the American Cream draft horse is more endangered than many endangered species there are no concerns of preservation.

There are many breeds that would be gone if not for the work of the ALBC. This is genetics that are needed increasingly as the popularity of grass based systems expands. Further there is in taste tests better tasting meats from many of the rare breeds.

Tracking these breeds is important to their conservation. Monitoring the numbers takes a great deal of time and effort. The ALBC is there with contacts, organization, promotion and money to support the rare breeds.

The ALBC also researches and makes available materials such as books that can help document the status and usefulness of rare breeds. Events such as 'competitions' that bring professional food folks to taste test and determine the best tasting meats by breed have been held for turkey, chicken, lamb and beef. These bring up the practical use of even rare breeds in producing quality meat for the table.

These things and much more take money to do. As a means to introduce and promote the value of the rare breeds, documentation of numbers and making connections with members who have the breeds the ALBC provides an invaluable service and it means that money is needed.

Like many non-profits fundraising is needed. Membership in the ALBC is well worth the cost, with newsletters and information sent throughout the year. The work of the ALBC is needed as many of these breeds can hold the keys to small farm food production. The breeds were, after all, developed for small farm mostly outdoor production.

They - and the ALBC - are worth a look for those who enjoy unusual looking but not necessarily "exotic" animals. The variety of horns, wool, hair and feathers as well as the heritage can mean the ability to keep unusual animals that as livestock don't require special permits or fencing.

It also is a chance to actively preserve American history. Many of the heritage breeds the ALBC focuses on are livestock breeds that are part of early American farms and homesteads. While many scramble to save the mustangs there are other horses, cattle and sheep that are much more endangered that don't generate the outcry of the western mustangs. They are, however, facing extinction.

And extinction is forever. Check out the ALBC for the "12 days of giving" this holiday season. Gift a gift membership to someone who would enjoy it or a donation. As with many worthy organizations even $5-10 makes a difference!