Heritage Livestock Breeds Take Center Stage During International Awareness Week

The Livestock Conservancy says protecting rare breeds helps preserve genetic diversity and long-term agricultural resilience.

PITTSBORO, N.C. (RFD News) — Rare breeds of livestock and poultry continue playing an important role in preserving agricultural biodiversity and protecting genetic diversity within the industry.

As part of International Heritage Breeds Week, Les O’Dell with The Livestock Conservancy joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss the importance of heritage breeds and the organization’s efforts to help protect them.

In his conversation with RFD News, O’Dell discussed the work being done through The Livestock Conservancy, along with highlights from the group’s annual Conservation Priority List.

The conversation also focused on how organizations and producers are celebrating International Heritage Breeds Week and raising awareness about the role heritage breeds continue playing in agriculture.

Related Stories
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are praising the passage of a bill to delist gray wolves as an endangered species by the U.S. House last week.
Recent USDA export sales data show China has been active in the U.S. market, but analysts tell RFD-TV News that the timing is a key clue.
Tight feeder supplies and lower placements indicate continued support for the cattle market, with regional impacts heightened in Texas by reduced feeder imports.
Cattle markets are watching the Cattle-on-Feed Report for signs of tighter supplies, while USMEF warns limited China access is cutting producer profits.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Young exhibitors balance school and months of preparation as they compete at one of Texas’s largest livestock events.
The annual event blends livestock shows, youth competitions, and family-friendly attractions in the heart of Austin
RFA and ACE leaders join us to discuss the latest developments in ethanol policy, market impacts, and the path forward
Experts warn pests could reduce yields and raise costs for producers
ASFMRA’s Tony Toso joins us with an update on California farmland values, ongoing market uncertainty, and key discussions shaping agriculture in the Golden State.
Dr. Gold encouraged farmers and ranchers to prioritize eye safety in their daily routines, offering his expertise to help reduce risks on this week’s Rural Health Matters.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.