The Scottish Government

2002

This research was funded by the Scottish Executive Agriculture and Biological Research Group Flexible Fund

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Part 1 - Livestock
Part 2 - Crops
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
Context
Aims and Objectives
Methods
PART ONE - LIVESTOCK COMPONENT
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELEVANT RESEARCH ON THE ROLE AND PERFORMANCE OF RARE AND TRADITIONAL BREEDS.
The Role of the grazing process in the biodiversity of ecosystems
Research looking specifically at the role of rare or traditional breeds in the promotion or enhancement of biodiversity.
The performance of rare and traditional breeds in relation to their modern and imported counterparts.
Research into the socio economic implications of rare and traditional breeds.
CHAPTER THREE: A LIST OF ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS HOLDING RELEVANT GENETIC RESOURCES OR INFORMATION.
CHAPTER FOUR: ONGOING GENETIC CONSERVATION PROJECTS
National Regeneration Bank
DNA analyses of horses
Recording scheme for rare breeds
Heritage Gene Bank
Genetic diversity of traditional breeds
Other Projects
CHAPTER FIVE :A REVIEW OF LIVESTOCK FOUND ON SCOTTISH FARMS
Sources of information
Cattle
Sheep
Historical Market Reports
CHAPTER SIX: A SUMMARY OF THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF GENETIC RESOURCES WITHIN ANIMAL BREEDS AND THE IMPACTS ON GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THEIR REDUCED USE
Pedigree and breed structure
Breed affinities
Crossbreeding and introgression
Within-breed improvement
Use of Scottish breeds in other countries
Specialisation
Conservation of genetic variation
Institutional strengthening
CHAPTER SEVEN: AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE TO BIODIVERSITY OF MAINTAINING THE TRADITIONAL FARMING SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICULAR BREEDS OF LIVESTOCK.
What is "Traditional"?
The role of rare and traditional breeds in farming systems
The need for cattle in hill and upland areas
Marketing of products from rare and traditional breeds
Co-operation Between farmers
Pasture type
Out-wintering of cattle
Mixed livestock and cropping systems
Susceptibility to parasites
Labour costs
Conclusions
CHAPTER EIGHT: THE CONTRIBUTION TO BIODIVERSITY MADE BY THE BLUE GREY COW
The performance of the Blue Grey Cow
Contribution of Blue Grey cows to wider biodiversity
Conclusions
CHAPTER NINE: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER WORK, RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS, PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL BREEDS
Recommendations for further work
Research requirements
Practical developments
Opportunities for promotion of rare and traditional breeds and associated farming systems
PART 2 - CROP VARIETIES
CHAPTER TEN: Introduction
Historical Context
Changes in the importance of crops
Traditional cereal cultivars
Other crops
CHAPTER ELEVEN: REVIEW OF RELEVANT RESEARCH
Contemporary Genetics
Biodiversity in tree species
CHAPTER TWELVE: SUMMARY OF CULTIVARS IN COLLECTIONS AND REVIEW OF ORGANIZATIONS CONCERNED IN THE CONSERVATION OF CEREAL GERMPLASM
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: IDENTIFICATION OF THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE GENETIC RESOURCE WITHIN CROP VARIETIES AND IMPACTS ON GENETIC DIVERSITY OF REDUCED USE
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: A DETAILED REVIEW OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE TO BIODIVERSITY BY SCOTS BERE
Performance of Scots Bere
Implications for wider biodiversity
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER WORK, IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL CROPS.
Potential further work
Research requirements
Practical Developments
Opportunities for promotion of traditional crops.
REFERENCES (LIVESTOCK BREEDS COMPONENT)
REFERENCES (CROP VARIETIES COMPONENT)
APPENDIX ONE: WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
APPENDIX TWO: WORKSHOP ATTENDEES

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