The British farming industry has changed dramatically over the last century as mechanisation and commercial influences have made their mark on both arable and livestock businesses. The demands for higher, cheaper productivity of livestock have resulted in the development of purpose-bred animals for milk and meat products, whilst man made fibres have resulted in the decline in use of natural fibres such as wool. The result is that native British livestock breeds now form only a small proportion of the commercial farming stock and of these native breeds about half are classified as ‘rare’ with many other minority breeds on the firnge of ‘endagered’. During the first seven decades of the last century twenty-six native British breeds of livestock actually became extinct and so in 1973 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) was formed to try and prevent further losses. The RBST charity is dedicated to the conservation of Britain’s livestock heritage and since formation no further native breeds have been lost. (The RBST Watchlist 2010 shows 77 breeds within the ‘rare’ to at risk classifications).
But why even bother to preserve ‘rare’ native breeds is perhaps a question that many will voice. Well perhaps they still have much to offer not just today but also in the future. Native breeds are by their very nature in tune with their natural environments and often have particular attributes and characteristics, that as the public views on ecology, food and health style change, are becoming of increased value particularly to the smallholder or specialist breeder / farmer. Some examples are;
- Landscape Management– Shetland cattle (dual purpose) are a hardy breed and good conservation grazers, thriving on wet, exposed land and happy in smaller herds. Hebridean sheep are noted as heather moorland specialists, Soay sheep are ‘nimble’ conservation grazers, Large Black and Tamworth pigs are excellent at scrub clearance.
- High Quality Specialist Breeds (Meat) –White Park and Beef Shorthorn cattle both provide high quality beef, Southdown, Shropshire and Dorset Down sheep are all specialist meat breeds. Berkshire and Middle White pigs are also regaining popularity again for good quality pork.
- High Quality Specialist Breeds (Wool) –Shetland, Portland, Leicester Longwool, Teeswater and Wensleydale sheep breeds are all recognised for the high quality of their fleece. Some breeds like North Ronaldsay and Manx Loghtan have even created cottage industries around the use of their wool. Further, with the rarer breeds being exempt from British Wool Marketing Board restrictions, the value of their fleeces is now increasing quite substantially.
- Breed preservation for history and their potential use in the future –Part or our heritage rests in the animals that belong in the natural environment and this should ideally be retained. Whilst these animals may never be in such numbers that they have a commercial significance they are nevertheless valuable for other reasons, such as their role in non-intensive farming systems, or even tourism.
Some breeds like Hebridean, Shetland, Jacob, Herdwick and Ryeland sheep Beef Shorthorn, Belted Galloway and Highland cattle, Clydesdale horses have all been successfully bred up in numbers, in many cases due to the efforts of smallholders, giving not only an increased level of protection to the breed but also highlighting a potential importance to the future of mainstream agriculture. The future of ‘rare’ breeds is also being improved by the expansion of gene archives, which are building into a valuable national genetic resource. This work will conserve and enhance the genetic diversity of native livestock breeds.
So, when you are next looking for livestock or poultry (or even pony or horse!!) for the smallholding it would be well worth considering a suitable ‘rare’ breed which may not only work well for its keep and give a small financial return, but also give the satisfaction of contributing to the conservation and promotion of Scotland’s valuable livestock heritage.
For information on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust contact;
or Ruth Dalton (RBST Field Officer – North Ruth@rbst.org.uk ) or Ian Bell (Secretary for local RBST Caledonian Support Group simpsonbell@btconnect.com )
