ERFP Animal genetic resources in Europe

09/06/2026

[A major breakthrough for studies thanks to the IMAGE H2020 multispecies SNP array]

The IMAGE H2020 project has developed a low-cost multispecies SNP array, helping resource management across cattle, sheep, goat, horse, pig, and chicken populations.

Key features:
▶️ ~10,000 SNPs per species for comprehensive diversity mapping
▶️ Cost-effective genotyping at ~15 euros per sample (when ordered in batches of 384)
▶️ Compatible with gene bank samples and in situ local breeds
▶️ Enables clustering of local breeds by history and parentage testing

The IMAGE H2020 multispecies SNP array makes genomic analysis accessible to conservation programs worldwide.

📄 Read the full study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12445162/

02/06/2026

[Focus on Czech and Slovak local breeds]

Conservation challenges due to population and breeding programs fluctuations
Key findings from the analysis:
▶️ Varying conservation status across breeds, most showing good genetic health
▶️ Significant admixture, particularly in Czech Landrace (4.2 parental clusters identified)
▶️ Historical population decline 8-22 generations ago, requiring targeted management

The 5 breeds studied: Alpine Goat, White Shorthair, Brown Shorthair, Czech Landrace (Czech Republic), and Slovak White Shorthair (Slovakia).

These results highlight the importance of coordinated breeding strategies to preserve these genetic resources.

📄 Read the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030224009378

26/05/2026

[What do local Italian breeds reveal about Europe's genetic history?]

Genomic analyses have shed new light on the history of four local Italian sheep breeds.

Although these breeds are geographically and historically rooted in Italy, their profiles show a greater affinity with Northern European breeds than with other Italian breeds.

This finding underlines the complex history of sheep populations and highlights the value of local breeds as unique genetic resources for conservation.

📄 Read the full study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/
full/10.1080/1828051X.2025.2515271

20/05/2026

Second day at the University of Sassari (Italy) for the ERFP Working Groups.

Great session on the integration ofntegration of in situ and ex situ conservation approaches where we were joined by INRA (Morocco) for a presentation, with virtual attendance from Ukraine and Hungary.

Thanks again to the local organizers (University of Sassari) and to EAAP for the help in the organization !

20/05/2026

Following the Spanish example "Raza autoctona", Poland started its own label.
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/zootecnia/razas-ganaderas/raza-autoctona

👉 Wszystkich Państwa, którzy swoją pracą przyczyniacie się do popularyzacji tematyki ras rodzimych zwierząt gospodarskich oraz promujecie i upowszechniacie te zagadnienia zapraszamy do obserwowania naszej strony oraz polubienia profilu Rasa Rodzima
💚
👉 Chcemy aby ta strona stała się swoistym bankiem wiedzy na temat tego co i kto robi aby rasy rodzime istniały w świadomości społecznej.
Wiemy, że tych działań jest sporo.
Niestety wiadomości giną w szumie innych informacji.
Chcemy aby ta strona agregowała taką wiedzę i umożliwiała szybkie do niej dotarcie. ⭐
Im bardziej będziemy mówić wspólnym głosem, tym większa szansa, że nasz głos będzie słyszany, a może i wysłuchany ❗❗❗
👉 Do obserwowania zapraszamy także tych, którzy już mają lub chcą uzyskać certyfikat Instytutu Zootechniki potwierdzający prawo do posługiwania się znakiem "Rasa Rodzima".
Znak „Rasa Rodzima” ma za zadanie mocno i wyraźnie komunikować pochodzenie surowca od ras rodzimych i związek produktu z bioróżnorodnością, ochroną zasobów genetycznych, miejscem i sposobem chowu, dobrostanem zwierząt, a także tradycją, indywidualnością i zaufaniem, a nade wszystko z jakością, solidnością i prawdziwością.
💚💚💚



(foto z certyfikowanego gospodarstwa
B. Kupczak-Dudek "Koza pod wieżą")

19/05/2026

[Did you know?]

The Faroese has a 33% genomic inbreeding rate

A whole-genome sequencing study published in Genetic Resources characterises the diversity of seven native Nordic horse breeds.

The Faroese horse stands apart from all others — with a fixation index above 0.21 relative to every other breed in the study, and a genomic inbreeding rate of 33%.

The study — by Smogeli (2026) — also tells a more nuanced story across the other breeds:
▶️ Swedish Ardennes: lowest inbreeding (14%), highest heterozygosity (16%) — the healthiest overall genetic profile in the group
▶️ North Swedish horse: highest historical effective population size (Ne = 96) — and tightly clustered with the Dola horse and the Coldblooded Trotter
▶️ Finnhorse reference genome: validated as a comparable alternative to EquCab3.0 for Nordic breed analyses — a methodological step forward the field has long needed

This kind of genomic characterisation is the foundation on which sound breeding strategies and gene bank priorities are built.

📄 Full study: https://www.genresj.org/index.php/grj/article/view/genresj.TXWX7641

19/05/2026

First day at Università di Sassari for the ERFP Working Groups. We have a full house since 57 people registered to attend !
Great networking about Animal Genetic Resources !

13/05/2026

12/05/2026

[Serbia's expands conservation efforts]

The genebank hosted by Serbia's Public Enterprise Livestock-Veterinary Centre (SVCVP) has updated its data in the database.
In 2025, the collection expanded to include new breeds and species — donkey, domestic buffalo, and horse — now storing 22,800 semen samples from eight breeds across four species.

Key milestones:
▶️ Significant growth in cryopreserved genetic resources
▶️ New species added: donkey, domestic buffalo, horse
▶️ Contribution to European AnGR conservation network
▶️ Active participation in EUGENA data sharing platform

This expansion strengthens ex situ conservation capacity and supports the long-term preservation of Serbia's valuable livestock genetic diversity.

📄 Read more: https://eugena-erfp.net/en/news?newsid=170

05/05/2026

[ Under utilized breeds in North-Western Europe]

Goat breeds in North-Western Europe maintain their distinct genetic identity, despite historical gene flow and recent demographic changes.

This research provides insights into adaptation mechanisms and conservation strategies for these local populations.

Key findings:
▶️ Clear genetic structure despite past gene flow between breeds
▶️ Distinct breed identity preserved through geographical and historical factors
▶️ Valuable genetic resources for adaptation to changing environments

📄 Read the full study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-48005-8