This review summarises evidence for genetic variation of Bos taurus cattle to diseases encountered under temperate conditions, including internal and external parasitism, susceptibility to mycotoxic diseases (tall fescue toxicosis, facial eczema, ryegrass staggers), mastitis, ketosis, pasture bloat, leukosis, tuberculosis, foot and mouth, brucellosis and BSE. Averaging mean heritability estimates reviewed from 8 diseases (weighted equally) gave a value of 0.21, indicating that measurable genetic variation for disease traits in Bos taurus cattle is somewhat less than that for production traits, such as milk yield or body weight. Many estimates, however, have high standard errors, and there could be an upward bias resulting from non-reporting of zero or non-significant estimates.

Few single-trait selection experiments have been conducted to study the genetics of disease resistance traits in cattle. For the disease traits where selection is being applied extensively, index selection for improved disease resistance and increased production is more common than single-trait selection. Results from a long-term (25 year) divergent selection experiment with resistance/susceptibility to pasture bloat in cattle in New Zealand are reviewed. Four single-year experiments comparing progeny of ‘high’ versus ‘low’ sires for resistance to disease are also reviewed, one in Australia studying faecal nematode egg counts, one in the USA involving the mycotoxic disease, tall fescue toxicosis, a third in New Zealand involving the mycotoxic disease, facial eczema, and a fourth in the USA involving Brucella abortus.

The indigenous cattle of Zanzibar commonly referred to as Zanzibar Zebu belong to the Small East African Zebu but with some influences of Boran and Somali cattle. The breed is under pressure from cross-breeding and from economic reforms that may lead to genetic erosion. This paper is an attempt to describe the characteristics and environment of these cattle as well as highlighting the implications of the prevailing conditions for conservation.

The genetic diversity of most livestock species is reducing and it is not possible to preserve all livestock breeds. In order to preserve as much of the genetic diversity as possible we must first have a robust method of measuring the genetic differences between breeds. The analysis of microsatellite allele frequency is now the method of choice. Using sheep as an example, this paper describes the methods used for both microsatellite amplification and the analysis of the data once it has been collected.

Animal performance recording and breeding in Greece aim at improving milk production of pure-bred cattle under intensive systems and of sheep and goats under semi-intensive or extensive production systems. Although milk recording was established in Greece by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1952, it is only since 1978 that it has been carried out more systematically on larger populations and in the frame of a more specific genetic improvement programme for each animal species and breed. For the application of this programme, close co-operation has been set up among the competent services of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Universities of the country and the relevant farmers' organisations which are in the process of being established. Milk is recorded on 61 867 dairy cows (29% of the total dairy population) in 1 425 herds (average herd size 43 cows), 31 611 dairy sheep (0.36% of the total sheep population) in 429 flocks (average flock size 72 ewes) and 3 296 goats (0.06% of the total goats population) in 36 flocks (average flock size 92). The procedures of performance recording and the future planning, aiming at increasing the number of animals and the recorded traits as well as the supporting of the farmers in managing their herds/flocks, are presented.

The present paper includes an historical briefing, a morphological description of blood polymorphism, and current use of the Chilote pony horse breed. Its characteristics differentiate it from other horse breeds present in Chile.

Historical records, phenotypic and genetic characteristics show that the ancestors of this breed were brought to Chiloé by the Spanish conquerors.

The actual population of the Chilote pony in Chiloé islands, as estimated by the present study, is not more than 300 horses. In order to maintain this genetic material it appears relevant to start with a conservation project for this horse in Chile.

Presently, there is little organization or cooperation among countries with rabbit breeding programs with the common aim of maintaining genetic diversity, with the exception of Europe and the Mediterranean region. Particularly in the lesser developed countries (LDC's), there is limited evidence that maintaining genetic diversity in rabbit populations is even a national priority. Based on consultancies and project experiences in over fifteen LDC's, and limited reports from the literature, evaluations of breeding programs at national rabbit breeding centers have generally been less than encouraging with regard to the management of genetic resources: utilization and conservation. The purpose of this position paper is to review rabbit genetic resources management practices and trends in rabbit breeding program development which pertain to genetic resources utilization and conservation issues, and with special emphasis on the LDC's. Several measures are discussed that could enhance breeding program integrity, greater benefit limited-resource farmers, and also foster international and regional participation in rabbit genetic resources conservation programs.

The presence and role of indigenous turkeys in Oaxaca and Quintana Roo, Mexico, were investigated by means of on-site assessment and an orally administered questionnaire. Questions included breed characteristics, uses, management conditions, advantages and limitations of the breed. An indigenous breed of turkey in Oaxaca and Quintana Roo was described. A strong interest in the raising and commerce of turkeys in Oaxaca was noted, however in Quintana Roo substantial reductions in numbers of turkeys have occurred over the last two decades. Mortalities of turkey poults ranging from 50–100% due to a disease with symptoms compatible with Histomonas meleagridis infection were reported. This appears to be the most significant limiting factor to raising turkeys in a back-yard type of system in Oaxaca and Quintana Roo. Raising turkeys separately from chickens is probably the most effective strategy for decreasing indigenous turkey poult mortality of this type.