Farm animal genetic resources in the Slovak Republic

Abstract

At present, farm animal genetic resources are used to a various extent and with different objectives inSlovakia. The use of highly productive breeds or hybrids aimed at profitable and competitive production prevails. To a smaller extent, breeds that are a part ofSlovakia’s and world cultural heritage are kept. The improvement of these breeds for high production or reproduction traits is not a priority. Diversity of farm animals is viewed through the variety of species and breeds used for production of food for people and, also, through the variety of production systems in livestock. Within livestock species, populations of cattle, sheep, goat, pig and horse breeds were analysed in detail. Preferably, breeds were evaluated with respect to the extent of endangerment (number of breeding females) and conservation programmes involved. The origin of breeds was also taken into account. Within respective species, twenty-three local breeds, including native or indigenous, and twenty-nine imported or exotic breeds, thirteen being newly imported and sixteen being imported for a longer time, were identified in Slovakia. Out of local breeds, fifteen breeds were classified as endangered.