Livestock Conservancy Microgrants help farmers, ranchers, shepherds, homesteaders and breed groups save Conservation Priority List breeds from extinction. Microgrants up to $2,000 each are awarded in three categories. National Microgrants support adults working with heritage livestock and poultry; Youth Microgrants support teens raising CPL breeds; and Breed Association Grants help improve membership services, expand ... Read more

The Livestock Conservancy has named Allison Kincaid as executive director of our 47-year-old not-for-profit organization. With more than 20 years of experience in the conservation and non-profit sectors, she is well-equipped to lead The Livestock Conservancy into the future. Kincaid’s hiring concludes an extensive nationwide search. She began her duties Jan. 20. Alison Kincaid ... Read more

By Liz Piacentini The Canadian Horse Heritage & Preservation Society hosted the 2024 CHHAPS Challenge: “100 Hours in 100 Days” virtual event from June 1 to Sept. 10. For the fourth year, the CHHAPS Challenge offered horse enthusiasts an opportunity to strengthen their partnership with their horse, meet endangered breeds and support a good cause. ... Read more

Research at Virginia Tech confirmed several heritage turkey varieties are more disease-resistant than commercial turkey strains. Findings also included how heritage turkeys are better suited for pasture production than their commercial broad-breasted counterparts. Read Part I for details on the pasture portion of the study. Black turkey toms Disease Resistance Virginia Tech researchers ... Read more

Research at Virginia Tech confirmed several heritage turkey varieties are more disease-resistant than commercial turkey strains. The results indicate standard-bred turkeys, popularly known as Heritage turkeys, are better suited for pasture production than their commercial broad-breasted counterparts. The Livestock Conservancy, Virginia Tech, and eight breeders and producers of heritage turkeys collaborated to compare the immune ... Read more

Dr. Temple Grandin is a noted author and speaker on the topics of both animal behavior and autism. World famous as a proponent of humane treatment for livestock, the animal science faculty member at Colorado State University is also an advocate for heritage breeds. In this brief video clip, Dr. Grandin discusses the importance of ... Read more

Thousands of America’s conservationists, farmers, ranchers, shepherds and animal preservationists will join with their partners around the globe to observe International Heritage Breeds Week starting Sunday, May 19. During the 10th annual celebration, The Livestock Conservancy is sharing the critically important message that rare breeds of livestock and poultry are an important key to maintaining ... Read more

The Livestock Conservancy has released its 2024 Conservation Priority List. This roster of more than 180 breeds across 11 species ranks the extinction threat for America’s farm animals. Working closely with breed associations, breeders and conservationists, The Livestock Conservancy conducts a thorough analysis of data on each breed’s status, risks and opportunities. The results place ... Read more

Editor’s Note: One of the more scientific approaches to livestock conservation involves retaining genetics for future use. Here, Dr. Phil Sponenberg, technical adviser to The Livestock Conservancy and retired professor from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, gives an overview of “Bio Banking.” Bio Banking is the frozen storage of genetic material that can be ... Read more

Editor’s Note: Livestock Conservancy member and volunteer Carla Nordland of Montana wrote this blog post for History Month. Any poultry keeper fortunate enough to keep a rooster can appreciate the nuance they bring to the flock. And we are not the first generation to celebrate the qualities of the cock or rooster; they are deeply ... Read more