Researchers, technical staff, breeder associations, and professionals in the livestock sector are gathering from this Thursday at the XV Iberian Congress of Animal Genetic Resources, which is taking place in Palma, to exchange studies and experiences on the conservation of native breeds, genetic improvement, and the enhancement of the value of products derived from them.
According to what the Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Medio Natural detailed in a note, the meeting will run until Saturday at the Palma campus of the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB).
The director general of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Georgina Brunet, has spoken at the opening session of the congress, in which she presented the current situation of the native breeds of the Balearic Islands and the actions being carried out for their protection.
During her presentation, Brunet explained that the notable diversity of breeds and animal populations in the archipelago is "closely linked" to insularity, to the climatic and environmental particularities of each island, and to the historical evolution of livestock production models.
She indicated that, over time, the combination of these factors and the selection carried out by livestock farmers has given rise to a very varied livestock heritage, the result of the animals' adaptation to the specific conditions of each island.
At present, she highlighted, this richness is reflected in 33 recognized animal populations: 15 are livestock breeds included in the official Catalog of Livestock Breeds of Spain, five correspond to dog breeds, and 13 are considered breed groupings.
"We have a very important diversity of breeds for a relatively small territory. Some are quite well known, such as the Mallorcan black pig, the Mallorcan sheep, or the Menorcan cow, but they are part of a much broader livestock diversity that deserves to be recognized and preserved as a whole," Brunet pointed out.
The 15 livestock breeds included in the catalog are classified as threatened, which, according to the director general, requires strengthening the policies that ensure their conservation and continuity. She recalled that in 1979, when the first official state catalog was published, only three breeds were listed in the Balearic Islands: the Mahón cattle breed, the Mallorcan red sheep, and the Balearic pig breed.
Since then, it has highlighted, the joint effort of breeders’ associations, the livestock farmers themselves, the research community and the administrations has made it possible to locate new populations, officially recognize breeds and launch conservation and breeding programs. Some have shown a positive evolution, such as the Mallorcan sheep.
Genetic conservation as a key tool
One of the axes of the congress is the use of scientific tools for the conservation of native breeds, an area in which the Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training of the Balearic Islands (Irfap) carries out genetic conservation tasks and technical advice to breeding programs.
The Irfap germplasm bank stores genetic material from 12 breeds and one racial grouping, of which five have a complete collection. Likewise, duplicate material from nine breeds has been sent to the National Animal Germplasm Bank, where three of them are also conserved in full.
These banks make it possible to safeguard genetic material and complement the conservation carried out directly by the farms. Added to this work is the management of herd books, performance controls and genetic evaluations, tools that make it easier to better understand populations, monitor inbreeding and guide breeding plans.
Brunet has insisted that genetic conservation must be linked to the continuity of livestock activity. "We can have very good conservation tools, but we need livestock farmers who continue breeding these animals. And, for them to be able to do so, we must also talk about the economic viability of the farms, quality, marketing and the added value that products from our native breeds have," he stressed.
The congress program includes lectures, scientific presentations and round tables focused on the characterization of breeds, production systems, the sustainability of farms, reproduction, molecular genetics and conservation and improvement plans.
Among the works to be presented are investigations directly linked to the Balearic Islands, such as studies on the Mallorcan black pig, the Menorcan bovine breed, the Ibizan hen and the Balearic horse breeds, among other examples.
The closing day, scheduled for Saturday, will focus on the valorization of products obtained from native breeds, with sessions on marketing, quality certifications, wool utilization and new opportunities for producers. The connection between the conservation of these breeds and the economic profitability of farms will also be analyzed.