Heritage Breeds: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Are you familiar with heritage breeds? Why are these animals so important and what role do they play on the homestead?

What are Heritage Breeds?

When you think back a few generations, what picture comes to mind when you think about a family farm? Do you think of a pastoral landscape filled with small family run farms?

Do you think of farmers raising a variety of types of livestock who live out on pasture?

Now take a moment and picture a modern farm. What comes to mind now?

Do you think of large farming operations with monoculture goods? What about large animals who are confined and fed grain to achieve faster and higher weight gain for maximum production?

It is quite a contrast, isn’t it? While this comparison is quite simplistic, it does show how much farming has changed in the last few generations.

From small family run operations with diverse goods. To huge operations that focus on a single type of production.

So what are heritage breeds and what do they have to do with this? Essentially, heritage breeds are the type of livestock that you would have found on farms at least two generations ago.

Heritage breeds are the animals that farmers raised before industrial agriculture became the way of life for farmers.

In contrast to modern breeds of animals who are bred almost exclusively for maximum production, at the cost of other genetic traits, heritage breed livestock are sturdy animals who thrive on pasture.

Rather than being bred for quick growth and high production, heritage breeds were and are bred to have better all around traits.

Many of them are also considered dual purpose, in that they can serve more than one purpose on the farm.

Some breeds make great meat animals as well as milkers. This means a farmer can get more uses out of the animals. Some breeds are even tri purpose as they can be used for meat, milk, and as draft power.

Heritage breed livestock are meant to be strong animals that are slower to mature. They thrive in pasture based systems because they are adaptable to local conditions and are bred for the ability to forage.

They are hardy and are able to effectively convert grass into goods, whether that be meat, milk, or eggs. They also are more resitant to diseases and parasites.

The ability to be on pasture improves the flavor and nutritional value of the animals. Ruminents are not meant to eat grain. They are herbivores who were created to eat grass. Modern practices have undermined the health of ruminents by creating breeds that are now dependent on grain.

Modern breeds also tend to rely on artificial insemination to perpetuate the livestock. While in contrast, heritage breeds are selected for their fertility and ability to mate naturally, as well as a strong maternal instinct.

Heritage breeds also tend to live longer, which means a farmer can get many more productive years out of a heritage breed animal. That makes the investment in the animal more worthwhile.

Heritage Breeds Today

Heritage breeds have a rich history in the United States, but unfortunately, many of the breeds are endangered or have become extinct.

These heritage animals started to fall out of favor during the agricultural revolution when animals started to be bred for mass production rather than all around genetics.

Fortunately, there are folks out there who are advocating for heritage breeds and working to bring them back into the spotlight.

In the United States, the Livestock Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that advocates for heritage breeds. It aims to save these amazing heritage breeds that remain in our country.

It would be tragic to lose their rich history. And more importantly, it is vital to retain their sturdy and diverse genetics.

The Livestock Conservancy also educates people about heritage breeds and helps producers build their heritage breed operations. They really are a great organization.

Heritage Breeds on the Homestead

So what role do heritage breeds play on the homestead? Well, as we already discussed, heritage breed animals thrive on pasture, which is perfect for homesteading families. Heritage breeds provide a low input way for families to raise their own meat, dairy and eggs.

And since the genetics of heritage breeds are more well rounded, they are less likely to overwhelm a homesteading family with their supply. Does a family really need the 5 gallons that a Holstein cow produces in one milking? Or is the 2 gallons from a heritage breed cow more appropriate?

Furthermore, the fact that many heritage breeds are dual purpose can serve a family well. For example, a family can raise a small herd of Dexter cattle. From this one breed, they can milk a cow or two depending on their needs. And they can raise the rest of the Dexters for meat.

This makes the livestock management more streamlined and easier to manage the breeding.

List of Heritage Breeds

Here is a list of some heritage breed livestock.

The Livestock Conservancy classifies each breed into Critical, Threatened, Watch, Recovering, and Study. The Livestock Conservancy also distinguishes breeds that are native to the United States, versus breeds that were imported.

This is not an exhaustive list. You can see a full list, learn more about the various breeds, and find out their classifications on the Livestock Conservancy website.

Heritage Breed Cattle

Canadienne

Milking Devon

Texas Longhorn

Pineywoods

Dutch Belted

Heritage Shorthorn

Red Poll

Guernsey

Dexter

Galloway

Red Devon

Belted Galloway

Heritage Breed Goats

San Clemente Island

Spanish

Tennessee Fainting

Arapawa

Oberhasli

Heritage Breed Sheep

Florida Cracker

Navajo-Churro

Santa Cruz

Romeldale

Barbados Black Belly

St. Croix

Cotswold

Dorset Horn

Lincoln

Shropshire

Southdown

Black Welsh Mountain

Shetland

Heritage Breed Pigs

Choctaw

Mulefoot

Guinea Hog

Hereford

Gloucetershire Old Spots

Tamworth

Heritage Breed Horses

American Cream

Canadian

Florida Cracker

Morgan

Newfoundland Pony

Rocky Mountain

Puerto Rican Paso Fino

Belgian

Cleveland Bay

Suffolk

Clydesdale

Exmoor

Highland Pony

Lipizzan

Heritage Breed Chickens

Holland

Rhode Island White

Buckeye

Chantecler

Delaware

Jersey Giant

Rhode Island Red- Non industrial

Plymouth Rock

La Fleche

Sultan

Andalusian

Cornish

Polish

Brahma

Icelandic

Heritage Breed Ducks

Ancona

Cayuga

Australian Spotted

Aylesbury

Buff or Orpington

Magpie

Silver Appleyard

Swedish

Runner

Heritage Breed Turkeys

Royal Palm

White Holland

Bourbon Red

Bronze

Narragansett

Slate

Heratige Breed Geese

Cotton Patch

Pilgrim

American Buff

Pomeranian

Toulouse-Dewlap

Roman

Shetland

Heritage Breed Rabbits

Silver Marten

American

Palomino

Silver Fox

Belgian Hare

Beveren

Checkered Giant

Lilac

Rhinelander

Conclusion

Heritage breed livestock are beautiful animals that have a lot to offer not only to homesteaders, but also to productive farmers.

Their history and their genetics make them adaptable and able to thrive in conditions that would be challenging for conventional breeds.

Do you have any experience with heritage breeds? What are some of your favorite breeds? Share your comments below!