Sebastopol geese, imported from England by the 1920s, were prized for long, curling feathers, but their small frame & limited egg production led to decline after WWII. The American Buff, developed in the 1930s-40s, emerged as a gentle, meaty & broody goose suitable for homesteads

DOG PHOTOS, PLEASE! Heritage livestock aren’t the only hardworking stars on the farm. Show us faithful farm dogs in action (or napping on the job—we don’t judge...well, actually we do...this is a photo contest! Send high-res pics to [email protected] by Dec. 31!

Ready for winter? The Autumn edition of our quarterly magazine, The Livestock Conservancy Newsletter, features a great article on making cold weather preparations. You can read it here: livestockconservancy.org/wp-content/upl… Or, you could get the complete magazine as a member. Join today!

This Christmas, we’re celebrating the incredible community that keeps our mission alive. Thank you for helping us preserve these living treasures. Wishing you peace, joy, and a meaningful Christmas from all of us at The Livestock Conservancy.

Roman geese have a rich history w/ legends dating back 2000 years to Italy & claim to have saved Rome from the Gauls. They arrived in the U.S. in tufted form in the 1930s. Shetland geese developed in Scotland’s Shetland Islands 400 years ago & arrived in the U.S. about 30 yrs ago

Healthy herds mean a healthy future for your farm or ranch. Take our short survey to share how you protect the health of your herd or flock – and help shape better tools for breeders everywhere. iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50…

Un ganado sano garantiza un futuro próspero para su granja o rancho. Participe en nuestra breve encuesta cómo protege la salud de su ganado y ayude a desarrollar mejores herramientas para todos ganaderos. iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50…

Your year-end gift helps keep more than 180 endangered breeds thriving on farms across the country. Your continued partnership is vital: livestockconservancy.org/donate

Cotton Patch, Pilgrim and Shetland geese have auto‑sexing traits that let farmers distinguish males & females by color from an early age. They were developed on small homesteads farming systems, where families needed birds that could forage, parent well and fit into mixed flocks

Your experience matters! Tell us how you keep your herds and flocks healthy. Take the short survey and be part of protecting rare breeds: iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50…

¡Tu experiencia es importante! Comparte cómo mantener sanos a tus rebaños. Responde a esta breve encuesta hoy mismo y contribuye a la protección de razas autóctonas. iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50…

These Ossabaw Island Hogs are enjoying a pumpkin treat — a perfect reminder of how resilience and tradition thrive together. Descended from Spanish pigs brought to Georgia’s Ossabaw Island in the 1500s, this rare breed is listed as Critical on The Livestock Conservancy’s CPL.

Happy New Year from all of us at The Livestock Conservancy! Thank you for standing with us in the mission to protect endangered heritage breeds and preserve agricultural biodiversity. Here’s to a 2026 full of purpose, progress and partnership.

Looking to connect with heritage livestock enthusiasts? The Heritage Breed Marketplace offers listings for animals, eggs, fiber and more from breeders preserving rare genetics. Explore, learn or share with the community: 🔗 livestockconservancy.org/listings/

Meet the Blanc de Hotot Rabbit — a striking heritage breed with a pure white coat & bold black eye markings. Bred in France for meat and show, they are now listed as Threatened on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List. 🔗 livestockconservancy.org/blanc-de-hotot…

Heritage livestock need extra nutrition during the colder months. Providing forage-rich diets, monitoring water intake and checking body condition regularly helps animals stay strong and productive all winter long. Healthy herds mean healthy genetics for future generations.

Join The Livestock Conservancy & help protect America’s rare and heritage breeds. Membership benefits include: Updates on endangered breeds & conservation efforts, access to webinars & resources, supporting conservationists preserving these breeds & more! livestockconservancy.org/get-involved/j…

Tip Tuesday! Winter wool can hide weight loss in sheep. Regular body condition scoring (BCS) is essential during cold months. Feel along the ribs, spine & hips; don’t rely on wool alone. Prevent winter stress and ensure your sheep thrive. Photo: Heather Loomis-Romeldale CVM sheep

Follow us as this month we celebrate “Heritage Pigs in American History” and America’s love for pork – think bacon, ribs and barbecue. #Celebrating250

Meet the Choctaw Horse — a rare breed with roots in 1500s Spanish horses. Once a vital transportation and draft resource for the Choctaw people, their numbers now total only in the hundreds, making each foal vital to the breed’s recovery. livestockconservancy.org/colonial-spani…