Increase In Number Of Animals Research Articles

Toward compatibility with national dairy production and climate goals through locally appropriate mitigation interventions in Kenya

CONTEXTLivestock are an important component of livelihoods in smallholder dairy systems in Africa, but are characterized by low animal productivity and large environmental impacts per unit of animal product (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) intensities). Governments in African countries have set ambitious targets for dairy systems, but development of climate-smart strategies has been hindered by a scarcity of baseline data and local intervention trials. OBJECTIVEWe use a rich dataset from smallholder mixed dairy systems in Kenya to determine whether national climate and development goals for 2030 can be met using locally appropriate interventions. Interventions considered included improved herd management and feed interventions. METHODSWe conducted a yield gap analysis to determine the scope of the existing milk yield gaps, then evaluated the extent to which yield gaps could be closed using interventions in a second step. We outscaled our results to the national level to determine the potential impact of adopting our interventions on national dairy production and GHG emission goals using the FAO Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model – interactive (GLEAM-i) tool. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur analysis showed that substantial yield gaps exist in Kenyan dairy systems (39 to 49% of attainable yields). These gaps could be closed by intervention packages but not by individual interventions alone. Our outscaled scenarios showed interventions can reduce milk GHG emission intensities (−6.5 to −27.4%), while absolute emissions would increase in most scenarios (−3.9 to +25.9%). To meet national milk production goals, we estimated that a large increase in animal numbers is needed by 2030 compared to 2010 (from ∼2.7 M to 4.5–7.1 M heads of cattle). However, most scenarios fell short of the emissions target (−4% to +48%) by 2030. It may be possible to narrowly meet Kenyan national milk production and GHG emission goals by 2030. SIGNIFICANCENational goals for milk production and reducing GHG emissions were only marginally compatible in Kenya. Other sectors of the economy will need to reduce emissions to ensure that food and nutrition security objectives are not jeopardized. In order to achieve national milk goals, there will be need to be a consummate increase in animal numbers even with the adoption of multiple interventions. To meet Kenya's national emissions goals, widespread adoption of several locally appropriate interventions will be required. International support will be needed to meet Kenya's conditional Nationally Determined Contributions under the 2015 Paris Agreement, as well as food and nutrition security goals.

Concentrations of mesophilic bacteria in a poultry farm over two fattening periods focusing on the presence of staphylococci and enterococci.

The increasing animal numbers have a potential impact on the air quality of stables. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial load in the barn air from the day of entry of the chickens to the day of removal for slaughter. A total of 10 measurements in two fattening periods were conducted in a poultry farm with a capacity of 400 chickens in Styria, Austria. The samples were collected with an Air-Sampling Impinger for the investigation of mesophilic bacteria, staphylococci and enterococci. Chicken skin swab samples were collected to detect Staphylococcus aureus. The total colony forming units per cubic meter of mesophilic bacteria of the first measurement series of period I was 7.8 × 104 and increased to 1.4 × 108 at the end and at the fattening period II it increased from 2.5 × 105 to 4.2 × 107. In the measurement series of the fattening period I, the concentration of Staphylococcus spp. increased from 0 to 4.9 × 107 CFUs/m3 and from 0 to 2.1 × 107 CFUs/m3 in the fattening period II. Staphylococcus aureus could not be found on the chicken skin. An interesting finding was the increase of staphylococci while the intestinal enterococci were not detectable in the air of the barn toward the end of both fattening periods.

Catch Crops in Lower Saxony—More Than 30 Years of Action against Water Pollution with Nitrates: All in Vain?

Intensive animal production, vast amounts of biogas plants, and the spreading of manure and digestates, exerts strong pressure on water quality in the German federal state of Lower Saxony. Catch and cover crop (c&c) cultivation is seen as one measure to inhibit nitrate leaching into soils, and to prevent water pollution with nitrates. A document analysis was carried out, covering the time span of 1992 to 2020, and the findings were combined with available quantitative data of the same period, and with GIS analysis. From 1994 to the year 2020, the acreage of subsidized c&cs increased from ca. 10,000 ha to ca. 380,000 ha. In addition, there was an acreage of unsubsidized c&cs of about 100,000 ha declining to 50,000 ha. In comparison, the acreage of arable land remained at approximately 1,880,000 ha. We found that c&cs did not contribute substantially to water protection for the following reasons: the design of the measure, control of farmer’s actions, and the antagonistic trend due to the increase in animal numbers and biogas plants. The development of c&cs over time and space reveals that frame conditions and management requirements of cultivating c&cs need to be well designed to be effective and efficient (with regard to N reduction and reduction of costs). It is vital to coordinate all programs and schemes in one region. From our evaluation, we conclude that a measure such as c&c cultivation, which is simple to introduce and easy to control, should be implemented over winter as a mandatory measure in order to achieve a greater uptake. Additionally, result-based measures could complement this scheme, as there is a strong link between subsidy level and the success of the measure.

How to Predict Parturition in Cattle? A Literature Review of Automatic Devices and Technologies for Remote Monitoring and Calving Prediction.

Simple SummaryCattle farming is progressively facing an increase in the number of animals that farmers must care for, resulting in decreasing time for observation of the single cow. A large amount of the scientific literature has been published concerning remote automatic devices and machine learning technologies for continuous monitoring of animal behavior and health status, including sensors for calving prediction This review summarizes the current status of the art concerning available automatic devices for the identification of the beginning of calving.Cattle farming is facing an increase in number of animals that farmers must care for, together with decreasing time for observation of the single animal. Remote monitoring systems are needed in order to optimize workload and animal welfare. Where the presence of personnel is constant, for example in dairy farms with great number of lactating cows or with three milking/day, calving monitoring systems which send alerts during the prodromal stage of labor (stage I) could be beneficial. On the contrary, where the presence of farm personnel is not guaranteed, for example in smaller farms, systems which alert at the beginning of labor (stage II) could be preferred. In this case, time spent observing periparturient animals is reduced. The reliability of each calving alarm should also be considered: automatic sensors for body temperature and activity are characterized by a time interval of 6–12 h between the alarm and calving. Promising results have been shown by devices which could be placed within the vaginal canal, thus identifying the beginning of fetal expulsion and optimizing the timing of calving assistance. However, some cases of non-optimal local tolerability and cow welfare issues are reported. Future research should be aimed to improve Sensitivity (Se), Specificity (Sp) and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of calving alert devices in order to decrease the number of false positive alarms and focusing on easy-to-apply, re-usable and well tolerated products.

Evaluating the National Institutes of Health's Sex as a Biological Variable Policy: Conflicting Accounts from the Front Lines of Animal Research.

Background: Since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993, focus on the equitable inclusion of women in clinical research has been ongoing. NIH's 2015 sex as a biological variable (SABV) policy aims to transform research design, analysis, and reporting in the preclinical sphere by including male and female organisms in vertebrate animal research as well as human studies. However, questions remain regarding how researchers and members of research oversight committees perceive the value and need of the SABV policy.Materials and Methods: Based on 62 interviews with animal researchers and oversight personnel, we analyze what the animal research community knows about the policy and sees as the benefits and challenges of implementation.Results: We found that the 62 interviewees disagreed about the need for the policy, with some being supportive and others questioning whether the policy is based on science or is politically motivated. There were also tensions in how interviewees conceptualized the challenges to and resources needed for implementing the SABV policy. For instance, while some thought implementation would require a significant increase in numbers of animals used for each study, others explicitly rejected this claim.Conclusions: We conclude by discussing the practical and social implications of our findings about the views of members of the animal research community regarding the SABV policy.

Review: Impact of Food and Climate Change on Pastoral Industries

The industrialization of agriculture based on inexpensive fossil fuels allowed for unprecedented levels of food production and population growth, but simultaneously contributed to a threat to food systems and population well-being: climate change. This paper analyses the impacts and adaptations available to the world’s pastoral production systems including potential mitigation and adaptation strategies. The current food system is under pressure to satisfy the needs of the increasing population with already limited natural resources particularly land and water, and now increasingly under pressure due to climate change. Increasing incomes from greater number of people have increased demand for animal source foods. As a result, domestic livestock numbers are rising, particularly in low-income countries with greater dependence on pasture for animal feed. The carrying capacity of pastured land is limited; therefore, increasing animal numbers may cause environmental degradation and loss of productivity from pastoral industries. In some countries, the increasing demand has prompted some to burn forestlands and convert them into crop production, and after the land is degraded into pasture mainly for raising large ruminants. Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and ambient temperatures are predicted to make a number of changes to the growth of herbage for animals. Several strategies can be implemented to optimize the pasture-based food system, including choosing the right breed, improving reproductive efficiency, improving grazing management, and maintaining an animal feed base. The global challenge is to meet our food production needs while sustaining our environment. Producers in all income categories have a role to play in adapting to these challenges.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Health Science Students/Researcher on Status of Usage of Animals, 3R’s Strategy and their Alternatives for Pharmacological Studies: An Exploratory Study

Introduction: The number of students in health science education is increasing day by day due to mushrooming of the private institutes. Hence, there is an increase in number of animals that have been used for animal experimentation irrespective of any known significance. Aim: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of health science students/researchers on status of usage of animals, 3R’s strategy (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement) and their alternatives for pharmacological studies. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional paper-based survey that was conducted between June 2019 to September 2019 using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the students. The study was conducted at the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot and ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India. The questionnaire consisted of three domains: Socio-demographic and professional characteristics, Knowledge (10 questions), attitude and practice of participants (9 questions). Out of 440 questionnaires distributed to the participants, 310 filled the survey (response rate was 70.5%) and were included in the study. The study participants comprised of MBBS interns, Junior residents/MD students, B pharmacy students, M pharmacy students and the PhD scholars. Results: Majority of the students belonged to the age group of 19-23 years. It was observed that 79.6% (n=247) students didn’t know about the 3Rs (i.e., Reduction, Refinement, Replacement) Strategy. A 39.6% (n=123) respondents knew about the various alternatives to animal experimentation. Majority of the students 90.9% (n=282) believed that animal experiments are useful for medical research and human benefit. Conclusion: There was an almost complete lack of knowledge among participants regarding alternative animal models and 3R’s strategy. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate education intervention about alternative animal use in their curriculum.

Порівняльна ефективність лікування пальцевого дерматиту у корів

The article presents comparative efficacy of various drugs for treatment of cows with digital dermatitis, known as the disease of or strawberry The problem of this pathology is associated primarily with transfer of animal husbandry on an industrial basis and desire to acquire high quality products at minimum cost. Intensive use of animals, growth of dairy herds with cows of importation of foreign breeding leads to an increase in number of animals with diseases of distal limbs. Fingertip dermatitis or so-called disease Mortellaro contagonist is an infectious disease that leads to development of lameness in animal. The occurrence of pain in distal extremities of cows causes a decrease in appetite, reduced milk production, fertility, therefore, untimely or ineffective treatment often leads to a transition of disease into a chronic form and culling of highly productive animals. The article presents results of an experimental study compared effectiveness of treatment of digital dermatitis with application of Intra Repiderma and other complex schemes, using Chemi spray, Ichthyol ointment and iodoform powder. Identification of cows with infectious digital dermatitis was carried out during routine clearing of hooves, moreover, by clinical assessment, established form of disease. Finger infectious dermatitis was identified in 74 cows, representing 15.4% of total population. The number of cows with erosive form of a current infectious digital dermatitis is 37.8 %. After applicable treatment, complete epithelization of erosions in cows which used Intra Repiderma stepped on 8-10 day, and in group where used Chemi spray and iodoform powder, for 12-13 day of treatment. The use of both treatment regimens were effective, but Intra Repiderma provided recovery of cows in a shorter time, is easy to use and saves time veterinarian and support staff.

Impact of animal health programmes on poverty reduction and sustainable livestock development.

Based on data from publications and field observations, this study analyses the interactions between animal health, rural poverty and the performance and environmental impact of livestock farming in low-income countries and middle-income countries. There are strong statistical correlations between the quality of Veterinary Services, livestock productivity and poverty rates. In countries with effective Veterinary Services, livestock growth stems mainly from productivity gains and poverty rates are the lowest. Conversely, these analyses identify no statistical link between the quality of Veterinary Services and increased livestock production volumes. However, where animal diseases are poorly controlled, productivity is low and livestock growth is extensive, based mainly on a steady increase in animal numbers. Extensive growth is less effective than intensive growth in reducing poverty and aggravates the pressure of livestock production on natural resources and the climate.

Will recent improvements in estuarine water quality in Ireland be compromised by plans for increased agricultural production? A case study of the Blackwater estuary in southern Ireland

The environmental status of many European estuaries has improved in recent years as a result of the implementation of a range of different legislative measures. Better municipal waste water treatment and a reduction in the application of inorganic and organic fertiliser to agricultural lands are the main reasons for these improvements. It is anticipated, however, that the ending of the EU milk quota in 2015, and the proposed enlargement of the European dairy sector will lead to a market-driven increase in milk production through an increase in animal numbers and higher productivity. This new production is likely to lead to an increase in pressures with the potential to impact on the quality of surface waters, including estuarine waters. In this paper we focus on the Blackwater estuary in southern Ireland which has seen a marked improvement in water quality due to a reduction in riverine nutrient inputs of phosphorus and nitrogen. A bio-physical model is used to test nutrient-input scenarios likely to represent the range of nutrient loadings that may arise as a result of increased agricultural production. The outputs from these different scenarios are used to assess if recent improvements in estuarine water quality will be undermined or even negated by the proposed expansion of the Irish dairy sector. Appropriate management options to address these potential impacts are discussed.

Pastoralists as Optimal Foragers? Reoccupation and Site Selection in the Deserts of Post-Soviet Kazakhstan

This study explores the drivers of site selection amongst livestock owners under conditions of increasing animal numbers following a low point in the 1990s. Our major goal was to understand whether livestock owners are acting as ‘optimal foragers,’ targeting areas of highest forage availability as they colonise previously empty areas. The results presented here suggest that they do not. Initially, distance from home settlement was the dominant determinant of site occupancy, with closer sites occupied earlier regardless of other characteristics. Some owners remained on depleted vegetation for longer than would be predicted under conditions of optimal foraging, indicating that distance-related costs constrained resource matching. In the latter period, increases in livestock wealth encouraged the occupation of distant sites exhibiting higher vegetation density and water quality, but some owners still occupied highly depleted sites. Improved transport and water supply infrastructure are needed if pastoralists are to optimise resource use across the landscape.

Human Population Growth, African Pastoralism, and Rangelands: A Perspective

Pastoral livestock production systems in Africa that have existed for centuries are now threatened by changing demographics, improved communications, increased availability of modern weapons, open rangeland shrinkage, global warming, and large-scale migration of people from rural areas to rapidly expanding cities. Human population increase coupled with globalization has led to major conflicts over natural resources in several African countries. If current growth rates persist, the population of Africa will double in 33 yr. Land resources available for farming are now fully used in several African countries. There is growing concern about the capability of these countries to feed their future projected populations. Africa’s three most populous countries (Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt) are all net food importers. Demand for meat and milk in Africa is projected to double by 2050. Roughly one-half of Africa can be classified as rangeland. Some form of pastoral grazing is the most efficient way to use most of these lands and sustain traditional cultures. Because most African rangelands are now stocked at or above grazing capacity, there is little potential to increase livestock production by increasing animal numbers. However, because offtake levels across Africa are much lower than in other parts of the world, considerable potential exists to increase meat and milk production. Local development projects oriented toward keeping people on the land and self-sufficiency have considerable potential to improve living and environmental conditions for small farmers and pastoralists. Improved and equal education opportunities for both genders, family planning assistance, renewable energy development, empowerment of women, improvement of soil and water resources, and wildlife conservation should be areas of development focus. Maintaining migration corridors, providing legal rights to historic grazing lands, and providing support services along migration corridors such as watering points, markets, schools, and health care are important strategies to sustain pastoralism.

SNaPP: Simplified Nanoproteomics Platform for Reproducible Global Proteomic Analysis of Nanogram Protein Quantities.

Global proteomic analyses of complex protein samples in nanogram quantities require a fastidious approach to achieve in-depth protein coverage and quantitative reproducibility. Biological samples are often severely mass limited and can preclude the application of more robust bulk sample processing workflows. In this study, we present a system that minimizes sample handling by using online immobilized trypsin digestion and solid phase extraction to create a simple, sensitive, robust, and reproducible platform for the analysis of nanogram-size proteomic samples. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our simplified nanoproteomics platform, we used the system to analyze preimplantation blastocysts collected on day 4 of pregnancy by flushing the uterine horns with saline. For each of our three sample groups, blastocysts were pooled from three mice resulting in 22, 22, and 25 blastocysts, respectively. The resulting proteomic data provide novel insight into mouse blastocyst protein expression on day 4 of normal pregnancy because we characterized 348 proteins that were identified in at least two sample groups, including 59 enzymes and blastocyst specific proteins (eg, zona pellucida proteins). This technology represents an important advance in which future studies could perform global proteomic analyses of blastocysts obtained from an individual mouse, thereby enabling researchers to investigate interindividual variation as well as increase the statistical power without increasing animal numbers. This approach is also easily adaptable to other mass-limited sample types.

Conditions for Virus Circulation and Premises for Natural West Nile Fever Foci Formation in the Territory of the Saratov Region

Local climate change (rise of mean temperatures and amount of precipitation, prolongation of frost-free season) triggers further distribution, and increase in numbers of animals – carriers and vectors of West Nile fever virus in the territory of the Saratov region. Based on the results of ecological-epizootiological monitoring (2006–2012) traced out have been the species composition, abundance dynamics, and character of distribution of birds habitant in aquatic and anthropogenic complexes, mosquitoes and Ixodidae ticks. Investigated are possible causes of West Nile fever nosoarea expansion, related to ecology of migrating birds wintering in Africa. Persistent circulation of the virus in intra-zonal inundated biocoenosis facilitates formation of secondary natural foci of West Nile fever and factors into epidemic complications as regards this particularly dangerous vector-borne infection. On the basis of analytical data concerning hydrographic network density, fauna structure, population numbers of birds and mosquitoes – potential carriers and vectors of WNF, epizootiological and epidemiological surveillance, designed has been expectation-driven forecasting map chart which illustrates possibility of sustainable WNF foci formation in various territories of the Saratov region.

Integrating policies for the management of animal genetic resources with demand for livestock products and environmental sustainability

SummaryGlobal recognition of the need to conserve animal genetic resources comes at a time when the livestock sector faces significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for livestock products and the mitigation of negative environmental impacts caused by livestock. In developing regions it would seem that portions of the growing demand for livestock products are being met by increasing animal numbers instead of achieving increases in production efficiency. Concurrently, extensive grazing and mixed crop-livestock production systems are largely responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of environmental degradation. Under the growing demand and environmental sustainability rubric there exists a need to garner maximum benefit from diverse animal genetic resources. These three areas; growing demand on animal products, environmental issues, and conservation of AnGR form a nexus that national policies must simultaneously consider. To advance this integration, a policy framework is proposed that consists of incentives to produce, a secure resource base (e.g., genetic resources, land tenure) and access to markets for outputs and inputs including technology. Within this framework a set of potential policies are suggested that promote conservation, livestock sector growth and environmental sustainability.

Effects of pasture improvement on productivity, gross margin and methane emissions of a grazing sheep enterprise

Improving the availability and digestibility of pasture typically increases the enteric methane emission (g/day) produced by ruminants, but reduces the methane yield per unit of meat or wool produced. On Australian farms, sowing of improved pastures is associated with an increase in stocking rate (animals/ha) to manage the sward and repay sowing costs. This increase in animal numbers complicates the calculation of changes in whole-farm enteric methane emissions associated with pasture improvement. The GrassGro™ model was used to simulate the changes in annual methane, meat, wool and gross margin (GM), resulting from sowing improved pasture on a 100 ha cross-bred lamb farm at Cowra, NSW. Simulations used 45 years of local weather data with stocking rates on unimproved and improved pastures of 3.5 and 9 ewes/ha, respectively. Farm methane production and sales of wool and LW were increased 2.3-, 2.7- and 3.1-fold by sowing 100% of the farm area to improved pasture. GM was increased almost four-fold and the annual variation in GM reduced. Consequently, while annual enteric methane emissions on sustainably managed pastures are greater if the pasture is improved, the proportionally greater increase in farm GM and profit far exceeds the potential value of extra emissions.

Third EU Report on the Statistics on Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes: Trends, Problems, Conclusions

A brief overview is given of the data published in the third report on the number of animals used for scientific purposes in the European Union (EU), in 1999. In comparison to the second EU statistical report, the meaningfulness of the data has been greatly improved, since 14 EU Member States have now used the "EU tables". Even though the total number of animals officially reported in the EU for 1999 (9.81 million animals) is lower than the number reported for 1996 in the second report (11.65 million animals), an increase in animal numbers was observed in several Member States. Repeatedly, the use of transgenic animals was considered to be the cause for this. Most national authorities provided some comments on the data they submitted. However, the quality of these accompanying notes varies considerably, with the comments provided by The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Denmark and the United Kingdom containing the most-detailed remarks on their data.

Phosphorus cycling in UK agriculture and implications for phosphorus loss from soil

Abstract. Phosphorus (P) use in UK agriculture is reviewed and a P balance sheet presented. The productive grassland and arable area has accumulated an average P surplus of c. 1000 kg ha–1 over the last 65 years. Over the period 1935–1970, the annual P surplus more than doubled due to an increase in animal numbers and associated requirements for inorganic fertilizers and livestock feeds. Since 1970, surplus P has declined by c. 40% as crop yields and P offtake have continued to increase while fertilizer and manure P inputs have remained relatively constant. In 1993, P use efficiency (P imports/P exports) in UK agriculture was estimated at 25% leading to an average annual surplus of 15 kg P ha–1 yr–1, although the latter has since decreased slightly due to reduced fertilizer use. Intensification and specialization of agriculture has also increased the range in P surpluses that are likely between livestock and arable dominated systems. The largest P surpluses occur in the relatively limited areas of arable soils which receive manure from intensive pig and poultry units, whilst farms without manure inputs generate only small surpluses, or are in balance. The cumulative P surplus has led to a build‐up of soil total and easily‐exchangeable P, especially in areas receiving both fertilizers and manures. Fundamental differences in P use efficiency, surplus P accumulation and the potential for P loss to water, exist between arable and grassland farms and it is important to separate these, due to the marked regionalization of UK agriculture. More judicial use of feeds and fertilizers is required to further reduce the P surplus and minimize the long‐term risk of water eutrophication.

Whole-Herd Optimization with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. III. Application of an Optimization Model to Evaluate Alternatives to Reduce Nitrogen and Phosphorus Mass Balance

The objectives of this paper were to use a linear programming model previously described to evaluate different alternatives for reducing excess nutrients that may influence water quality on a case study farm (300 lactating cows on 430ha of cropland growing alfalfa, grass, and corn). Several alternatives perceived to influence farm nutrient balance were evaluated for their potential to reduce N and P mass balance. Dividing lactating cow diets into three groups according to their level of milk production versus a one-group total mixed ration decreased mass balance (tonne/yr) from 51.7 to 44.7 for N, from 6.7 to 6.1 for P and from 16.2 to 14.8 for K with little influence on return over feed costs. Increasing forage quality (lower neutral detergent fiber and higher crude protein) did not improve N balance because of the increased N fixation from the air to the soil, but it increased returns over feed costs by $31,385. Improving yields to the maximum potential for the farm reduced mass balance by 29, 51, and 100% for N, P, and K, respectively, and increased returns over feed costs by $70,579. Changing the crop hectare proportions to more corn and less alfalfa reduced N and K balances by 19 and 29%, respectively, and increased returns over feed costs $39,383. Increasing annual milk production 10% by increasing milk production per head 10% compared with increasing animal numbers at the current average milk production per cow until total milk increased 10% gave $34,132 more return over feed costs with less N, P, and K retained on the farm.

The Politicization of Livestock: Rare Breeds and Countryside Conservation

Despite a recent emphasis on conflicts in rural areas, differences between members of the farming community over issues such as conservation remain to be fully explored. Focusing upon rare breeds of domestic farm animals, this paper investigates the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (rbst)and discusses its importance in the politicization of livestock.Actor network theory is used to provide a framework to analyse the development of rbst .Two phases of operation are evident, representing a shift from emergency measures towards a proactive strategy for livestock breed conservation. In both periods, there are ‘moments’ of problematization, interessement, enrolement and mobilization which establish the rbst as a powerful actor at the centre of a rare breeds network. Such has been the influence of the Trust that remarkably little conflict over the conservation of rare breeds has arisen. Rbst appeals to both farmers and conservationists,but success through increasing animal numbers and a lack of political effectiveness are found to be forces undermining its position of power in the network. Further questions are raised about the manipulation of animals to support political objectives.