Biodiversity
That one word sums up one of the most compelling reasons for preserving the many heritage breeds from which our modern hybrid farm stock were developed. The more diverse the total gene pool is, the less likely we are to see entire populations wiped out by a single virus or bacteria that sweeps through the countryside. The more diverse the gene pool, the more options we have for improving all our livestock.
Regional adaptations
The dual-coated Icelandic sheep, the hardy Florida Cracker horse, the strong and sound-footed Spanish Mustang – these are a few examples of breeds that adapted to local conditions and thrived where other breeds couldn’t. Sometimes the adaptations aren’t as closely tied to climate and terrain, but they’re distinct from other breeds just the same. The San Clemente goats, Exmoor ponies, Dexter cattle -- these all developed in specific regions that were either geographically isolated or in need of a specific type.
Nostalgia
Okay, this one speaks for itself. Grandma had sheep like that. Uncle Bob’s collie, King, looked like that, and he could do anything – herd, protect the lambs, hunt squirrels, and run off coyotes and two-legged varmints. It the memories that make these animals special to us, the cultural link whether it’s to an individual or a larger ethnic group that favored a particular breed or type.
Curiosities
Heritage breeds sometimes look a little strange – not quite what most people expect from the average farm pasture. Cases in point – the Curly Bashir horse, the Jacob sheep, the burly Scottish Highland bull, the oddly slender Indian Runner duck.
Back-to-the-land
The whole Y2K added fuel to the back-to-the-land movement, which isn’t really a movement or a trend, in my humble opinion. It’s more of an ever-present undercurrent of people either returning to their roots or switching to what they think will be a simpler, more basic lifestyle. Many of these people have outside jobs, small acreages, and are looking for sturdy, low-maintenance, all-purpose farm animals to fit this lifestyle. Heritage breeds often are better suited to this lifestyle than the commercial, single-purpose hybrids. The Dexter cow is a perfect example, as are Khaki Campbell ducks, the dual purpose Dominiques, and Buff Orpington chickens.
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