A methodology for assessment of the risk status of the breeds in Republic of Bulgaria

Vasil Nikolov and Zhivko Duchev

Abstract: The assessment of the risk of loss of livestock genetic resources is an integral part of their monitoring. Within this study, a first attempt to develop a methodology for estimation of the breeds’ risk status in Bulgaria was made. The methodology combines worldwide-accepted measurable criteria – population size and trend, time to double the population, effective population size, with indicators, describing the socio-economic conditions in the country, and subjective indicators like the economic importance of the breed for the region and the country. According to this methodology each local breed is classified as endangered if the number of breeding females or the expected number of females after two generation intervals, or the effective population size are below the respective thresholds for the species.

Keywords: animal breeding; genetic resources; risk

Date published: 2022-11-01