As the modern world evolves at a rapid pace, the importance of safeguarding and understanding the values of farm animal genetic resources becomes even more crucial. Native farm animal breeds have been an essential part of life in the Nordics, reflecting centuries of adaptation to this environment and specific human demands. These breeds have historically been important for human survival in northern conditions, and today their special characteristics are of great value for sustainable food production and other ecosystem services, helping to meet future unpredictable challenges.

Safeguarding conserved breeds goes beyond agricultural interests. The breeds have a unique genetic diversity (i.e., within and between breeds) and important ecosystem effects (e.g., by contributing to the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem), which is why it is an important commitment to preserve their biological diversity. Conserved breeds may often possess special characteristics that make them well-suited to local conditions, such as cold tolerance, disease resistance, and the ability to be productive and fertile on marginal lands. These traits make them valuable when facing climate change and the needs for sustainable agricultural practices.

At the Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen), our mission is to contribute to the safeguarding of the Nordic genetic resources and facilitate their sustainable use for agriculture, horticulture and forestry for both current and future generations. We aim to provide up-to-date knowledge and genetic materials to facilitate sustainable food and feed production and other biobased solutions in the changing climate of the Nordic region.

This report presents the status of all Nordic native breeds and offers the first comprehensive overview of the 40-year journey in official Nordic collaboration for conservation Nordic farm animal genetic resources (AnGR). It examines the diversity, distribution, and conservation status of these farm animal breeds. By presenting the current methods used for conservation, it also highlights internal and external pressures in the Nordic region.

Conservation efforts over the past 40 years have been fruitful; thus, the report also showcases successful conservation efforts by various stakeholders. The differences in conservation strategies among Nordic countries are also reported, particularly the criteria for classifying breeds as protected.

We trust that this report addresses various needs for information and enhances understanding of the continuous necessity to protect native breeds and the critical importance of data collection in these efforts. Let this report inspire readers to recognize and promote the conservation of the national heritage of the Nordic countries.