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The domestic livestock resources of Turkey: sheep breeds and cross-breeds and their conservation status

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2013

Orhan Yilmaz ,
Firat Cengiz ,
Mehmet Ertugrul  and
R. Trevor Wilson
Orhan Yilmaz
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
Firat Cengiz
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Yil University, Van, Turkey
Mehmet Ertugrul
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
R. Trevor Wilson*
Affiliation:
Bartridge Partners, Umberleigh, Devon EX37 9AS, UK
*
Correspondence to: R. Trevor Wilson, Bartridge Partners, Umberleigh, Devon EX37 9AS, UK. email: trevorbart@aol.com
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Summary

Turkey's 21.8 million head of sheep comprise a rich array of fat-tailed and thin-tailed native breeds and crosses of these with animals of exotic origin. The structure of agriculture is such that most farms are predominantly subsistence oriented, of small size, keep few animals and provide only minimal inputs. Native breeds have evolved to meet these conditions and are generally well adapted to the natural environment, inadequate and unbalanced nutrition and disease stress. In the last 80 years, there have been attempts to modify the natural gene pool and many distinct breed types are in danger of or have already suffered extinction. This paper describes some of the major sheep genetic resources and their conservation status. The government is now aware of the danger of impoverishment or loss of this important aspect of biodiversity and has established programmes for conservation and preservation of several native breeds. Government, research institutions and producers should work together to ensure that the local gene pool is preserved and can thus continue to contribute to biodiversity and sustainable livestock production.

Résumé

Les 21,8 millions d'ovins de la Turquie comprennent une vaste gamme de races indigènes à queue grasse et fine ainsi que des animaux de ces races croisés avec d'autres d'origine exotique. La structure de l'agriculture est telle que la plupart des fermes s'orientent principalement vers une agriculture de subsistance, sont de petite taille, élèvent peu d'animaux et ont une faible productivité. Les races indigènes ont évolué avec ces contraintes et sont en général bien adaptées à l'environnement naturel, à une alimentation pauvre et déséquilibrée et au stress causé par diverses maladies. Au cours des 80 dernières années, les modifications du pool génétique naturel ont été nombreuses, ce qui a fait que, de nos jours, plusieurs races différentes se trouvent menacées d'extinction ou se soient déjà éteintes. Cet article fournit des détails sur quelques-unes des principales ressources génétiques ovines, y compris leur état de conservation. Le gouvernement a actuellement pris conscience du danger qui découle de l'appauvrissement ou la perte de cette importante composante de la biodiversité et a, en conséquence, établi des programmes pour la conservation et préservation de plusieurs races indigènes. Le gouvernement, les instituts de recherche et les producteurs devraient travailler ensemble pour assurer la préservation du pool génétique local, contribuant ainsi au maintien de la biodiversité et au développement de la production animale durable.

Resumen

Los 21,8 millones de cabezas de ganado ovino de Turquía comprenden un amplio abanico de razas nativas de cola grasa y cola fina así como cruces de estas razas con animales de origen exótico. La estructura de la agricultura es tal que la mayoría de las explotaciones están orientadas a la subsistencia, son de pequeño tamaño, mantienen pocos animales y presentan una baja productividad. Las razas nativas han ido evolucionando con estos condicionantes y, por lo general, se han adaptado adecuadamente al medio natural, a una alimentación pobre y desequilibrada y al estrés causado por diversas enfermedades. A lo largo de los últimos 80 años, se han producido modificaciones del acervo genético natural que han llevado a que muchos de estos tipos raciales se encuentren actualmente en peligro de extinción o se hayan extinguido ya. Este artículo describe algunos de los principales recursos genéticos ovinos así como su estado de conservación. En la actualidad, el gobierno es consciente del peligro que entraña el empobrecimiento o pérdida de este importante componente de la biodiversidad y por ello, ha puesto en marcha programas de conservación y preservación de varias razas nativas. Gobierno, centros de investigación y productores deberían trabajar conjuntamente para garantizar el mantenimiento del acervo genético local, contribuyendo así al desarrollo de la biodiversidad y la producción ganadera sostenible.

Keywords

native breedsbiodiversityproduction systemscross-breedingrisk statusextinctionconservationraces indigènesbiodiversitésystèmes de productioncroisementétat de risqueextinctionconservationrazas nativasbiodiversidadsistemas de produccióncruzamientoestado de riesgoextinciónconservación
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 52 , June 2013 , pp. 147 - 163
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2013 

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