The Nordic breeding work for farm animals is characterized by well organized commercial breeding organizations. There is also a number of breeding associations for the breeds that are valuable for other traits than a competitive production, and therefore are considered to be worthy of conservation. Each Nordic country are responsible for providing a sustainable management for their own farm animal genetic resources.
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Rygja sheep from the south west of Norway
Photo: Anna Rehnberg, Norwegian Genetic Resource Centre,
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Commercial breeding organizations
The Nordic breeding work for farm animals are characterized by well organized commercial breeding organizations.
They perform an internationally competitive breeding work, based on:
- principles for sustainable breeding
- modern breeding methods
- good balance between selection for increase in productivity and good animal health and fertility
- maintaining a low degree of inbreeding.
Most of the Nordic commercial breeding organizations are organized as cooperatives so that the herd owners, enjoy a direct ownership to the breeding work.
Breeding associations
There is also a number of breeding associations for the breeds that are valuable first of all for other traits than a competitive production, and therefore are considered to be worthy of conservation.
Read more about the Nordic farm animal breeds here .
National responsibility
Each Nordic country is responsible for their respective farm animal genetic resources, and have organized the management of their animal genetic resources in responsible agencies such as national committies, advisory boards and councils. Each country have also appointed a National Coordinator as an executor for the national policies. Such policies may include direct support to conservation herds, the keeping of herd-books, running cryo conservation programs as well as promoting each country's strategy and policy.
Read more about the Nordic countries' national conservation work here.
