Genetics for organic farming systems

Abstract

In organic farming systems (AB), animals may be more vulnerable because they are raised in less controlled environments. Rearing animals from breeding schemes designed for animals in conventional systems in less intensive systems may prove inadequate if they are unable to cope with fluctuations in the availability and quality of feed resources. AB specifications make little mention of breeds or lines, and current AB livestock production might suffer from a lack of suitable genetic resources. AB breeders tend to formulate genetic needs specific to their breeding systems, with a major interest in robustness, which implies that geneticists and breeders should be able to provide an offer that is different and more diversified. Few studies have focused on breeding objectives for organic farming systems, and the genetic offer desired by AB farmers is often expected of as a break with that used in conventional systems. It is necessary to rethink the use of animal selection methods for the AB context. This article presents the current state of knowledge and the genetic resources that can be mobilized to adapt animals from selected populations to organic systems.