Despite the continuing uncertainty for livestock breeders, it is becoming increasingly clear that the ongoing changes in UK agriculture provide significant opportunities for those breeding and keeping native livestock.

The way we manage land and produce food in the UK is changing and the benefits of native breeds within this new farming context are becoming increasingly clear. Added to the high quality produce we associate with native breeds is their ability to be effective land managers. By ensuring that their commercial and environmental attributes are recognised and the opportunities they offer are maximised, we will be able to further improve the status of our rare and native breeds.

The 2023 breed data reveal we can celebrate breeds that have shown significant improvement, but also that there are still a number of breeds declining in numbers. The Watchlist has been calculated using the methodology first adopted in 2021, which takes into account both numbers and inbreeding levels within a breed through the calculation of the Effective Population Size (EPS). This provides a more detailed understanding of a breed’s current conservation status and its level of genetic diversity, with a low EPS signifying a greater likelihood of inbreeding and a higher risk of loss of genetic diversity.

The RBST Watchlist is based on figures gathered from breed societies. In the current economic climate, one of the challenges often cited by breeders is the cost associated with registration, but it is important that all stakeholders recognise how important it is that animals are registered.

So, registrations are crucial for a breed’s conservation. Every registration helps to give a more accurate picture of its status, enabling the analysis of population trends and geographic distribution, as well as ensuring the accurate monitoring of genetic diversity and inbreeding levels.

Equines

For the equines the picture was generally positive, with just a few exceptions. The most significant change is the addition of the Welsh Section B (Welsh Pony) to the At Risk category. Formerly recognised on the Watchlist as a native breed with all the other Welsh sections, the current position of the Section B has resulted in its change of status.

RBST has been monitoring the Welsh Section B for a number of years and, unfortunately, there has been a steady decline in both the number of breeders and animals breeding. As recently as 2009, the number of dams which produced registered progeny was 1044, but by 2023 this figure had fallen below 400, thus the decision has been made to move the Section B to the At Risk category before this downward trend becomes irreversible. RBST is committed to working with the breed society and its members to ensure the fortunes for the breed improve and an encouraging start has been the breed society’s active involvement in all aspects of the Horserace Betting Levy Board funded Native Equine project.

Of the Priority breeds, the Cleveland Bay horse, Eriskay pony and Suffolk horse all have an effective population size below 50, the threshold set by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Breeds falling below this threshold are of concern. The Hackney horse and pony are both also very close to this level, clearly indicating the critical position of these breeds.

On a positive note, as reported in 2023, the New Forest pony is performing very well numerically and is close to moving out of the rare categories on the Watchlist. For now, the breed will remain in the At Risk category, but is likely that the breed will be moved in the near future.

The Dartmoor pony was moved from Priority to At Risk last year and it is pleasing to see that its performance has remained consistent. We also reported last year on the improvement shown by the Exmoor pony which has continued with the number of dams increasing by 28% from 2022 to 2023.

Pigs

It is common knowledge that in recent years the pig industry has faced a number of challenges, most significantly rising input costs, particularly for feed. Our native pig breeds have been impacted by this and with seven of eleven native pig breeds categorised as Priority, it is clear that increased support for all native pig breeds is needed.

While the figures used for the Watchlist are based on pedigree registered animals, the British Pig Association (BPA) survey results show the actual number of sows is greater than those producing registered progeny, which illustrates the importance of encouraging new and existing pig keepers to select a native breed and register the progeny for the long-term security of these breeds.

In 2023 the British Landrace was highlighted as a breed of concern and unfortunately, with a small decrease in the number of dams, this has not changed. The number of breeders registering progeny has fallen to single figures which is very concerning. On a positive note the BPA breed census data shows that the female figures have remained stable.

Based on the figures relating to the number of dams producing pedigree registered progeny, a number of breeds have seen a fall in numbers. The Welsh fell by 32%, reflected in the BPA census data showing the number of sows falling from 323 in 2022 to 296 in 2023. The breed will remain as an At Risk breed for the 2024/25 Watchlist, but significant improvement is required to ensure the breed is not classified as a Priority breed in the future.

More encouragingly, the number of Saddleback dams was up 16% along with the number of breeders which was up 12%.

Goats

Last year it was reported that the goat breeds were showing positive signs of consistency when it came to breed performance and encouragingly the picture is very similar this year.

Both the English and Old English goat remain Priority breeds with the Bagot and Golden Guernsey categorised as At Risk. It is important to increase the numbers of Priority breeds, but the challenge with small populations is ensuring that inbreeding levels are also managed.

The stability of the goat breed populations is reflected in consistent levels of performance. The Bagots have seen the number of dams exceed 100 for the seventh consecutive year and similarly, the Golden Guernseys have had over 300 dams for the fourth consecutive year. The English goat has also shown an increase in the number of dams, whilst the Old English goat has remained steady.

This stable base is very positive and should provide the platform for each breed to improve its conservation status. The diverse nature of the breeds and their versatility make them suited for a number of different farming systems from large scale conservation grazing projects to the artisan market of dairy produce and meat boxes.

Cattle

While there has been no change of category for any of the cattle breeds, the Albion has experienced two consecutive years of consistency at the highest levels on record for the breed. The Vaynol has also experienced two years of consistent results, which is very promising for a breed so low in numbers.

The Irish Moiled and White Park were both highlighted for improved performance last year and both have seen an increase of 8% in the number of dams which is very positive for both breeds.

The Gloucester has been of high concern for several years, with low numbers and geographic concentration being particular challenges. The number of breeders remained largely unchanged, but, on the positive side, there was a 20% increase in the number of dams. However, despite this significant improvement, the number of dams is the second lowest figure recorded since 2011.

While the Original Population Lincoln Red has experienced several years of stability, the figures for 2023 show a 39% reduction in the number of dams which has also impacted the number of female registrations. There is no immediate action required in terms of changing category, but this situation will be monitored. Discussions will be held with the breed society regarding the significant fall in numbers as it is possible that issues such as late registrations could result in a fall of this magnitude. A clearer picture should emerge after the 2024 data has been gathered.

Unfortunately, both the Shetland and Whitebred Shorthorn have seen a decline in the number of dams by 19% and 20% respectively.

Sheep

The sheep figures present a mixed picture. Some breeds have improved significantly whilst others have seen a fall in the number of breeders and animals being registered.

Following several years of improved performance, the Greyface Dartmoor is moved up the RBST Watchlist and is no longer considered to be a rare breed, joining breeds such as the Shropshire and Southdown in the native breed category. The number of flocks and the number of animals has been on a positive trend for several years and since 2009 the number of flocks has increased by 155%. This achievement is down to the dedicated breeders and a breed society that has been responsible for increasing numbers.

The Border Leicester is another breed that has shown significant levels of improvement, with the number of breeders increasing for the eighth consecutive year and the number of dams increasing by 10% which has led to an improvement in the EPS. As a relatively recent addition to the RBST Watchlist, it is extremely encouraging to see how this breed is progressing and improving.

The Llanwenog had seen several years of significant decline with the number of dams falling by 428, effectively halving in numbers from 2020 to 2022. Encouragingly the numbers have now increased by 13%.

Combined Flockbook Breeds

The RBST is the breed society for several sheep breeds under the Combined Flock Book, with each breed also having an informal breeders’ group providing support and promoting the breed. To summarise each breed’s performance during 2023:

• Castlemilk Moorit: After two consecutive years of falling registrations and number of dams, there has been slight improvement. A 4% increase in the number of dams has contributed towards an improved EPS for the breed.
• Manx Loaghtan: Performance was down slightly on 2022, with a 12% fall in the number of dams.
• Norfolk Horn: A 14% increase in the number of breeders is very positive, resulting in a relatively stable year for the breed and a slight improvement in EPS.
• North Ronaldsay: A stable number of breeders, with a 7% decrease in the number of dams, although encouragingly the EPS has increased.
• Portland: Performance was slightly down in 2023 compared to 2022, but was similar to 2021.
• Boreray: With a second consecutive year of decline, the number of dams for the breed is concerningly down to its lowest figure since 2013.
• Soay: The number of breeders has fallen by 15%, reflected in a small reduction in the number of animals registered.
• Whitefaced Woodland: The number of dams fell by nearly 12%, which has resulted in a fall in the number of registrations. Positively, the number of breeders has remained at a similar level to the previous year. These figures are for CFB sheep only and do not include sheep which are solely registered to the hill flock.

Feral Populations

For the 2023/24 RBST Watchlist two new equine populations were recognised, the Dartmoor Hill Pony and the Carneddau Pony. The status of these populations has not changed as there is insufficient data to categorise their populations.

Poultry

Over the last few years, the poultry industry has faced significant challenges, including Avian Influenza and rising feed costs. The need to house stock and the lack of shows and sales has resulted in a decline in breeding and, in some cases, in poultry breeders dispersing or significantly reducing their flocks.

One of the major challenges with poultry is collecting data. Unlike other species that RBST works with, poultry are not individually registered with their breed societies so ascertaining a true idea of breed numbers is challenging.

DEFRA has attempted to collect data, including the number of flocks, breeding males and females and the number of pullets, direct from breed organisations. Unfortunately, this data set is currently insufficient for use in compiling the poultry Watchlist on the same basis as other species. RBST would therefore encourage all poultry keepers to contact their respective poultry club or RBST to provide information on the number of birds kept.

To reflect the current situation regarding poultry, the decision has been made to make all of the UK native poultry breeds a Priority. RBST understands the challenges faced by all UK native poultry keepers and will work with the relevant organisations to help ensure poultry conservation status improves.

A note from RBST

RBST would like to thank all of the dedicated breeders who are committed to ensuring a secure future for their breeds. Without individual breeders championing their breed, registering them with the breed society and promoting their attributes, these breeds would not exist. RBST is committed to ensuring native breeds are recognised for the significant asset they are to UK agriculture.

RBST will, of course, continue to work with breed societies on behalf of all our native breeds to restore them to where they should be at the heart of UK agriculture.

Photograph - British Landrace - Richard B