Editor’s Note: One of the more scientific approaches to livestock conservation involves retaining genetics for future use. Here, Dr. Phil Sponenberg, technical adviser to The Livestock Conservancy and retired professor from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, gives an overview of “Bio Banking.” Bio Banking is the frozen storage of genetic material that can be used to reconstitute a breed on into the future. Techniques and potentials vary greatly from species to species but are always improving. The earliest technique was the freezing of semen, first targeted at dairy cattle ..read more

Editor’s Note: Livestock Conservancy member and volunteer Carla Nordland of Montana wrote this blog post for History Month. Any poultry keeper fortunate enough to keep a rooster can appreciate the nuance they bring to the flock. And we are not the first generation to celebrate the qualities of the cock or rooster; they are deeply entrenched into human history, folklore and religion, as is so beautifully demonstrated in the story of a rooster perched atop the spire at Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral. Cocks and roosters have a deeply entrenched symbolism to both the French and within Christianity. T ..read more

Editor’s Note: Conner Prairie is a living history museum in Fishers, Indiana (near Indianapolis) which recreates 19th century life. Stephanie Buchanan, Director of Ag Initiatives for Conner Prairie, shares the museum’s reasons and approaches to working with livestock Conservation Priority List breeds including Tunis sheep, Arapawa goats, American rabbits, Ossabaw hogs and Randall cattle. Conner Prairie plays a unique role in the world of heritage breed conservation.  We are fortunate to serve both as a place where guests can explore the importance of heritage breeds and as a working farm ..read more

Renae Clark Livestock Conservancy Microgrants help farmers, ranchers, shepherds, homesteaders and breed groups in saving Conservation Priority List breeds from extinction. Microgrants up to $2,000 each are awarded in three categories: National Microgrants for adult individuals; Youth Microgrants for teens; and Breed Association Grants to improve membership services, marketing materials, gene banking and educational events. Microgrant recipients for 2024 include : Russell Bailey Russell Bailey of Lewisville Permaculture Research Center Farm in Lewisville, North Carolina for work with Mulefo ..read more

Endangered livestock enthusiasts, ties to history and a few favorite things led Brent Wittenbraker to go all-in with heritage breeds. The southern Indiana landscaper and his family have a growing homestead, with heritage livestock at the heart of their operation.  The family currently has six head of Lincoln Red cattle rated as Critically Endangered on the Conservation Priority List (CPL). They are eagerly awaiting calving season, which should grow the herd to nine. Brent purchased his cattle in 2023 from Livestock Conservancy member Sarah Pedelty in Chatfield, Minnesota. He says the gui ..read more

By Les O’Dell, The Livestock Conservancy Do geese have personalities? Kathy Hopkins believes they do, especially the American Buff goose. She says this breed, which is designated “watch” on the Conservation Priority List, has “amazing” personalities to go along with beauty, sociability, intelligence and exceptional parenting skills. “American Buff are a good choice for someone new to geese because they aren’t aggressive and bond well with people,” Kathy, who raises a flock of just over 100 geese near Springtown, Texas, says. “The breed is incredibly intelligent. If hand-raised from goslings ..read more

Heritage Breed Gifts for the Holidays Stuck on what to get a loved one for an upcoming holiday or their birthday? We’ve compiled a few heritage breed gift ideas from members of the Livestock Conservancy and items from our store that they’ll be sure to love!  Oberhasli Milk Lotion and Soap Bars Heirloom Farm makes rich handmade Oberhasli goat milk soaps and related items in a variety of scents. You’ll also find cheeses, wool products and more. The farm even offers gift certificates! Heirloom Farm LLC, Pleasant Hill, Missouri shop now Belted Galloway Beef Sampler Box, Burge ..read more

By Les O’Dell, The Livestock Conservancy Michele Sullivan Burns still shakes her head in disbelief. It has been about a month since she turned the corner on the poultry exhibition floor at the Texas State Fair and saw – for the first time – that Rodrigo, her Black Turkey, had been named the state’s Champion Turkey. She shook her head then, too. (And said a few select words followed by “I can’t believe what happened.”) Michele’s unbelief is understandable when you learn the Texas State Fair was the first time she had shown a turkey in a competition. In fact, Rodrigo is one of just three turke ..read more

By Les O’Dell, The Livestock Conservancy Michele Sullivan Burns still shakes her head in disbelief. It has been about a month since she turned the corner on the poultry exhibition floor at the Texas State Fair and saw – for the first time – that Rodrigo, her Black Turkey, had been named the state’s Grand Champion Turkey. She shook her head then, too. (And said a few select words followed by “I can’t believe what happened.”) Michele’s unbelief is understandable when you learn the Texas State Fair was the first time she had shown a turkey in a competition. In fact, Rodrigo is one of just three ..read more

By Renard Turner Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2021 issue of The Livestock Conservancy Newsletter. We are sharing it again as part of “Goat Month.” Renard Turner and his wife Chinette own Vanguard Ranch in central Virginia, where they have raised registered Horned Dorset sheep, Karakul sheep, Kiko goats, Spanish goats and horses. They currently raise Myotonic goats, white utility king squabs and organic herbs and vegetables. Renard is passionate about conservation and is a former member of The Livestock Conservancy Board of Directors. We began raising meat go ..read more