Protecting the dual purpose traits of the UK's rare breeds

摘要

Shirley Macmillan looks at the action being taken to protect the genetic diversity in minority dairy breeds. As the dairy industry chases higher yields per cow and the beef sector looks to maximise lean meat production, specialist cattle breeds from all over the world have found favour at the expense of this country's traditional breeds. What, then, has been the effect of this quest for increased performance on our native dual purpose cattle breeds? Not only have numbers fallen dramatically - placingmany breeds on the endangered list - the amount of milk recording in dual purpose cows has dwindled to such an extent, there are fears that animals once capable of both milk and meat production, may lose their milking characteristics altogether and become solely bred for beef.