The Morality of Breed Conservation--The ALBC

I am not a goat expert. This is War Admiral, a Baylis goat. The black billy is Spicer, a San Clemente. Spicer is an interesting historical relic. His relatives can be found at Plimouth Plantation in Massachusetts.

War Admiral is from a much rarer line of Spanish goat. The Baylis goat lives quite well in very wet environments. The Baylis goat also converts very poor quality forage into meat at an incredible rate. They do not get as big as Boer goats, the leading breed of meat goat. However, they have a higher live birth rate in range situations than do Boers and a higher survival rate in those same situations.

Though not a part of most American dinners, goat meat is perhaps the most commonly consumed meat worldwide. There is tremendous hunger in this world. The Baylis goat turns dry weeds into top quality protein. The Baylis goat is also nearly extinct.

It is patently immoral for us to let these animals die out in a world in which so many children die of malnutrition daily. This is real. This is practical. This is important.

This is part of how the hobby farmer can make his farm into a hobby that gives, a hobby that matters.

And that is just one breed. The American Livestock Breed Conservancy is that little candle that keeps the fire lit for a wide range of breeds and strains like the Baylis. Heritage breeds have an importance in preservation of the worlds food supply that few people understand.

Go to the ALBC web site. Look at the great work that they do and give them your support.