Rare Breeds International (RBI) is the global non-governmental organization (NGO) concerned with the conservation of animal genetic resources (AnGR). It works in conjunction with FAO and with other organizations associated with livestock production. RBI members form a grassroots network that is rich in experience and knowledge of native breeds and affiliated national organizations maintain a valuable database of AnGR. Information is disseminated through major international conferences which are held at intervals of three years and through annual regional meetings. The cumulative expertise of the RBI membership facilitates a wide variety of projects, which range from policy interaction with governmental agencies to emergency rescue action and breeding programmes for relic breeds. RBI communicates mainly through publication of proceedings of major conferences and also by dedicated and linked websites.

A survey was conducted in order to investigate what motives farmers have to utilize one of the old, native cattle breeds in Norway, Blacksided Trønder and Nordland Cattle (STN). The questionnaire, which was sent to 1 772 farmers who inseminated with the STN breed from 1987 to 1997, revealed clear opinions on the differences between this breed and the predominant breed of the country, the Norwegian Cattle (NRF).

The farms in the survey were characterized by having herd sizes above the national average, as well as having owners interested in extensive farming and to a certain extent aware of the special breeding challenges of small populations. The results showed that the STN breed was regarded as being significantly different for traits that may be considered as important in extensive production systems. The more idealistic motives linked to the genetic resources aspect showed a high priority.

The survey also revealed an obvious need for more research and objective information about this old native breed.

The Muturu, a trypanotolerant cattle breed is probably one of the least known breed of cattle in West Africa. Little has been published on its distribution, management, morphological characteristics or biological performance.

Early reports showed that the Muturu cattle were once widely distributed across the continent from Liberia, across the West African subregion, to Ethiopia. However, due to expansion of the Zebu population and rapid urbanization, the small bodied animal came under pressure and was found surviving in pockets of the savannahs and in the humid forest zones where it had the comparative advantage of trypanotolerance. The survival of the cattle in the humid and forest zones of Nigeria stems from the fact that the animal is still sacred in so many communities and its milk is widely used for medicinal purposes. In some states of Nigeria, the semi-feral Muturu are not tended but hunted when required for sacrifice.

From a population size of 0.4 million heads in 1960, Akinwunmi and Ikpi, (1985) reported a decline in the population of the breed to 50–80 thousand in the late 1980s in Nigeria although RIMS (1992), reported a population growth to 115 172 heads. With limited data bank information on their adaptation and productivity, possible identification of genes that confer resistance to or tolerance of environmental stress in these animals will be of global significance.

Experimentation in breeding dairy cattle for the tropics began in Jamaica at Hope Farm in 1910 with local cattle, temperate dairy breeds and the infusion of the Sahiwal (Zebu) breed.

The research results, which also influenced farmers' operations, indicated the superiority of the grade Jersey for production and fertility, which was considered to be the result of adaptation. Thereafter, breeding inter se, a tropical dairy breed, the Jamaica Hope was established and was declared in 1952. The formation of the Jamaica Hope Cattle Breeders’ Society immediately followed.

The breed has shown a high level of productivity under wide ranging husbandry conditions. The highest yields have been above 8 800 litres of milk in 305 days.

The MOET technique of reproduction will be employed in the expansion of the breed.

The Sahiwal cattle, one of the best dairy breeds of Zebu cattle in India and Pakistan, originate from the Montgomery district of Pakistan and is distributed on farmer herds in certain pockets of the bordering districts of Punjab and Rajsthan in India. The animals of this breed are also available in Kenya and are used for crossing with local East African Zebu types to improve milk production. Sahiwal cattle have deep body, loose skin, short legs, stumpy horns and a broad head with pale red to dark brown body colour. The average body weight in adult females and males is around 350 and 500 kg, respectively. The animals of this breed are maintained on various State and Central Government farms, privately owned farms, charitable trusts and a small proportion of animals are also available with the farmers. More than 1 200 breedable females are available at various farms in the country. The average lactation milk yield of Sahiwal cattle on organized farms ranges between 1 500 to 2 500 kg. However, in well-managed herds, the highest lactation milk production in certain cows is more than 4 500 kg. The overall weighted average milk yield, age at first calving, lactation length and calving interval based on the performance at various herds is around 1 900 kg, 36 months, 315 days and 420 days, respectively. The fat and Solid Non Fat (SNF) percent ranges from 4.6 to 5.2 percent and 8.9 to 9.3 percent, respectively. Quite a large proportion of pure-bred Sahiwal cattle maintained on organized breeding farms has been used for the production of cross-bred cattle. As a result, different cross-bred strains of dairy cattle viz Karan Swiss, Karan Fries and Frieswal have evolved at the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal and Military Dairy Farms. The breed has also been utilized for the production of synthetic strains like Jamaica Hope (JH), Australian Milking Zebu (AMZ) and Australian Friesian Sahiwal (AFS) in other countries. Currently, efforts are being made to characterize, evaluate and conserve the breed in field conditions. More than 0.10 million doses of frozen semen of this breed are cryopreserved at various semen banks in the country. The frozen semen is being utilized for strengthening and genetically improving the existing herds of the breed through progeny testing programmes of sires associating various herds of Sahiwal in the country.

A survey on Garole sheep was carried out in the breeding tract for breed characterization. Garole sheep are distributed in the Sundarban region of West Bengal in India. It is a small-sized breed known for its prolificacy and adaptation to the saline marshy land of the Sundarban region. It is believed that these sheep contributed to the prolificacy gene in Booroola Merino sheep of Australia. The breeding tract of Garole sheep falls under the Coastal Saline Zone of West Bengal and the climate of this region is hot and humid. The population of Garole sheep was 206 720 in 1994–1995. This breed is maintained by marginal farmers and landless labourers. Flocks are stationary and average flock size ranges from three to five. They graze on rice fallow land and natural grass cover on the roadsides and water channels. Garole sheep have the ability to graze in knee deep conditions in marshy land. Their colour is generally white. Some animals of black or brown colour are also seen. The male is generally horned and females are polled. They have three distinct types of ears; small, medium and long. Average adult weights in male and females are 15 and 12 kg, respectively. Twin and triplet births are common. The Garole sheep are reared for mutton production. Farmers generally do not shear wool. Fleece is of a coarse quality and is used as bedding material.

Beetal is one of the largest Indian breeds of goats bred mainly for milk but equally important for meat as well. This breed is found in Punjab along the Indo-Pakistani border. The status of the Beetal breed in its native tract was studied through a detailed survey in the Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts of Punjab. In this part of the country goats are mainly reared by ‘Sansi’ tribals who are landless. Goat flocks are mainly stationery and browsing is the main source of feed and fodder for these goats. Long drooping ears and roman nose are the typical characteristics of this breed. The total population of this breed in its native tract in 1997 was found to be 20 772 and the average flock size was 5.27. Average test day milk yield and lactation length were 1.8±0.79 kg and 161 days, respectively. Average ages at first kidding and kidding interval were 17.2 and 11.14 months, respectively. Prolificacy was fairly high with an average of 1.76 kids per kidding.

Beetal goats are the mainstay for the landless poor families of this region and the breed needs to be conserved in its breeding tract. There is a need to popularize this breed through demonstration units to convince the farmers that this breed is sustainable under low input conditions. This will help in in-situ conservation of the Beetal breed.

The Pantaneiro horse is an important social and economic part of the infrastructure of cattle farms in the Brazilian Pantanal. It is of Iberian origin and closely related to other Brazilian breeds, specifically Mangalarga, Mangalarga Machador and Campolina. Physiological studies have shown this horse to be tolerant to long treks and capable of being maintained on natural pastures. The Brazilian Pantaneiro Horse Breeders' Association has registered, to date, approximately 1 600 mares and 300 stallions, the bulk of which are in the Poconé subregion. The horse is considered small and fast. Linear measurements taken at registration are shown to be, in general, highly heritable. The population has a vulnerable status. Characterization studies showed that a combination of genetic and physical characteristics of the Pantaneiro makes it a unique population that must be conserved. Recent trends in selection may threaten the rusticity and adaptability of this valuable genetic resource. In this paper, several research studies are reviewed and areas where research and technical training are needed are highlighted.

The main characteristics of Beldi (meaning “native” in Arabic) poultry raised in rural areas were studied in the Khenifra Region through extensive surveys.

Beldi chickens have large phenotypic variability. Black, brown, grey and white colours, pure or mixed, are frequently observed in chickens' featherings while turkeys are predominantly bronze. Plumage types were fairly homogeneous in both species. Single combs and dented combs were respectively predominant in chicken hens and roosters.

Sexual maturity was reached at 154 days for roosters, 168 for hens in chicken, around 217 days for toms and 231 for turkey hens. The age at first egg averaged 5.8 months for hens and 8.4 months for turkey hens. The number of eggs laid per hen per year was 78 for chicken and 69 for turkey. Hatchability rate was 78 and 80 percent for chicken and turkeys, respectively. Diseases were the main cause of mortality, which could affect up to 77 percent of chicken flocks.

Few preliminary urgent steps for the conservation of Beldi poultry are discussed with other production improvement proposals.