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A
Conservation Breeding Handbook
by
D. Phillip Sponenberg and Carolyn J. Christman
ISBN 1887316000
Publisher: American Livestock
Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock
Breeds Conservancy has published "A Conservation Breeding Handbook" that
describes livestock and
poultry breeds as genetic resources and explains how individual breeders can
help in their conservation.
Although the handbook
was written primarily for people interested in rare breeds, it addresses
subjects of interest
to all animal breeders. Among these are developing a philosophy; the concept
and practice of selection; a comparison
of conservation and improvement breeding; and the uses of breeding systems,
such as inbreeding, linebreeding and
crossbreeding. The book discusses the considerations necessary in
establishing a conservation herd or flock, from choice of
species and breed through purchase of stock and participation in breed
associations, registries and other networks.
"A Conservation
Breeding Handbook" includes detailed breeding programs for the genetic
management of herds or flocks as well
as rescue protocols for critically rare populations. The programs described
are based in the science of genetics but
include management considerations which are essential to success.
While some experts
claim that individual breeders cannot be trusted with genetic conservation,
the handbook's authors, D. P.
Sponenberg and C. J. Christman, maintain that individuals have always been
stewards of rare breeds, and the involvment of many
people is the only sure way to protect this wealth for the future. "A
conservation Breeding Handbook" is designed to equip breeders--individually
and in groups--for stewardship.
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