Foundation Helps Preserve Island Goat Genetics

Foundation Helps Preserve Island Goat Genetics LIVESTOCK Sheep/Goats Interested in helping to preserve a rare old goat breed? The Arapawa goat is thought to date back to old English goats Researchers believe the dual-purpose breed which lived in seclusion on an island for at least 150 years has self-sustaining characteristics that could be valuable to other breeds “We’ve been working for about 3 years collecting semen and embryos ” reports Sara Bowley executive director at SVF a foundation dedicated to preserving the genetic material of rare breeds Legend says the goats’ ancestors were dropped on Arapawa Island off New Zealand by Captain Cook Only a few hundred goats exist worldwide with only 15 breeders in the U S A herd of only 6 Arapawa was originally brought to the U S in 1994 for exhibit at Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts Bucks are short and stocky while does are fine-boned and slender Both sexes are horned with wide variations in color patterns from solid tan black white and red to belted striped or point coloration Coat length ranges from smooth to long and shaggy Bowley and the SVF are working with breeders to expand total numbers and bloodlines They established an Arapawa breed association with Bowley serving as president They also are working with breeders in the U S New Zealand and the U K to develop breed standards Bringing semen from four New Zealand bloodlines is seen as a major step in expanding U S herd genetic diversity That semen has produced 4 bucks one of each line being born at SVF The organization is sharing the techniques they’ve developed “We are encouraging the use of AI by breeders in the U S ” says Bowley Bowley is also promoting new active breeders While there is very little breeding stock available she encourages breeders to only sell to people or organizations interested in developing a breeding herd “We want people dedicated to improving and expanding the herd not just wanting to keep a goat or two in their backyard ” she says The SVF foundation is active in the preservation of a number of breeds The goal is to collect and preserve 200 embryos and 3 000 straws of semen per breed If necessary those assets could be used to “reawaken” a lost breed in a single generation To date the SVF has worked with 11 cattle breeds 4 goat breeds and 10 sheep breeds As they complete collection work on a given breed they place animals with breeders “Our mission is to preserve genetic material ” says Bowley Contact: FARM SHOW Followup SVF Foundation 152 Harrison Ave Newport R I 02840 ph 401 848-7229; sarah@svffoundation org; www svffoundation org; www arapawagoat org

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