ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL RECURSOS GENÉTICOS ANIMALES DEL SUR DE BRASIL

SUMMARY An account of the domestic animal genetic resources of Southern Brazil is given. The main cattle breeds are imported British and Continental, zebu crosses and some zebu, with 50 p.100 of the population mixed of undefined breed. Unique breeds include creole, Crioulo Lageano and Caracu. Dairy cattle breeds are mainly Holstein and Jersey, and crosses with zebu. Older sheep have been absorbed by modern sheep breeds. There are small creole herds of two ecotypes. The predominant horse breed is the Crioulo horse, well adapted to the pampas. Poultry and swine production are based on modern industrial breeds. No specific conservation plans for any breed, with the exception of Crioulo Lageano cattle and Crioulo sheep are being followed in the region.