Project description - Genetic resources of Russian farm animals
Project leader: Prof. Asko Mäki-Tanila, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, 31600 Jokioinen tel. +358 (0)3 4188 3602, fax +358 (0)3 4188 3618, asko.maki-tanila(at)mtt.fi, www.mtt.fi
Summary
In the present study, the genetic value of local Russian cattle and sheep breeds for the maintenance of genetic variation within domesticated cattle and sheep will be investigated and socio-cultural and economic value of genetically unique breeds will be assessed. Parallel to the genetic and socio-cultural studies, environmental and demographic factors will be investigated in the rural societies, where the genetically unique local breeds have been traditionally raised, to predict the survival of the breeds in their original sites. Based on the genetic, socio-cultural and demographic studies, recommendations for a conservation program of cattle and sheep genetic resources in the Russian Federation will be given.
Breed diversity in Russia
Food production and agriculture utilize only a few animal species, within which many breeds with unique characteristics have developed over thousands of years of domestication. In the large region of the Russian Federation, there are several unique cattle and sheep breeds, like the Yakutian cattle in East Siberia and mountain sheep breeds in the Caucasian region. The breeds have adapted to the marginal circumstances and have a role as custodian of local traditions and in the maintenance of traditional landscape. In the Global Databank for Farm Animal Genetic Resources established and updated by FAO (The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) there is data on 40 cattle and 89 sheep breeds found in the Russian Federation (http://dad.fao.org). According to the FAO Databank, about 50% of the Russian cattle and sheep breeds are categorized as extinct or endangered (less than or equal to 1,000 breeding females or less than or equal to 20 breeding males within a breed). The extinction of the breeds will lead to loss of genetic variation within farm animal species. The maintenance of high genetic variation within the species accomplishes a satisfactory progress in future selection schemes of farm animals. Moreover, breeds have a socio-economic and cultural value for a local rural society or they possess unique features, which are of interest for research.
Evaluation of the genetic and socio-cultural value of Russian cattle and sheep breeds
In the present study, the molecular genetic characterisation of Russian cattle and sheep breeds will be conducted to examine their gene pool developments, to identify genetically unique breeds, which have a potential value in the maintenance of genetic diversity at species level, and to generate new information for conservation strategies of Russian cattle and sheep genetic resources. Moreover, the combination of the molecular data on Russian breeds with the previous DNA marker information from European cattle and sheep breeds will permit the investigation of the history and the dispersal of cattle and sheep over the Eurasian continent. The study has therefore links to archaeological and historical sciences, as well.
The molecular data in the present study comes from the typings of autosomal and Y-chromosomal microsatellites and sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop. Samples of 30 to 50 unrelated individuals per cattle or sheep breed will be collected from six Russian cattle and six Russian sheep breeds. In a previous international project co-ordinated by MTT Agrifood Research Finland, several Russian and Ukrainian cattle and sheep breeds have been typed for the same set of DNA markers. By combining the previous data with the new one, a unique data set will be established for examining the cattle and sheep biodiversity in Russia.
Genetically unique animal breeds are vital within wider socio-cultural and economic circumstances. The evaluation of the socio-cultural and economic meaning of a farm animal breed contains the period the breed has been raised in the traditional farming area, the agricultural production systems linked to the breed, as well as the breed's role in landscape formation, its value for maintaining local traditions, its meaning in people's everyday life and rituals, and in folklore. In the present study, the breeds are chosen according to their genetic value, i.e. only breeds showing genetic distinctiveness are assessed. Socio-cultural meaning will be analysed by sociological and anthropological methods, using participant observation and interviews of different local actors, such as animal owners and other local people, who have a role either in the farm organisation or as consumers and traders. The study will focus on the features of every-day life, and the role of cattle and sheep breeding for the coping strategies of the people.
What are the possibilities to maintain in situ the Russian cattle and sheep breeds having a high genetic value?
The extinction probability of the breeds having a great genetic value will depend on sociological and demographic trends in the rural society. In Russia, decollectivisation process together with globalisation effects will potentially have conflicting consequences for the farm animal genetic resources. This may endanger the continuity of production on the collective farms. Furthermore, the transition to market economy has led to dramatic demographic changes in the rural municipalities, such as depopulation of rural areas, skewed age distribution, inability of the elderly people to look after the animals, and unwillingness of the younger generation to live in rural areas. All these factors have an influence both on the life qualities in the countryside and on the animal husbandry. In the present study, the investigations of socio-economic-technological aspects of transition, demographic changes and their effects on cattle and sheep farming will be carried out through regional case studies. The regions are chosen according to the genetic value of the animal breeds. The trends in cattle and sheep breeding, residential structures and production technology and measurements of production facilities are in focus. Local statistics will be collected on village and enterprise level and analysed against the background of the wider regional demographic changes and the general information about Russian demographic tendencies.
Spatial analyses based on Landsat satellite images will be used for the demonstration of the phenomenon and the process of land use, modelling and forecasting. Image series at different time points will be investigated to find out changes in the land use and development. A conceptual and spatial model will be constructed in order to assess the environmental relationship of the specific breed husbandry and the consequences of technological changes in animal husbandry.
Based on the results of genetic and socio-cultural evaluation of the Russian cattle and sheep breeds and the sociological and demographic indicators of rural societies, recommendation for a conservation program of cattle and sheep genetic resources will be given.
National and international cooperation
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Animal Production Research (Jokioinen, Finland) is the coordinating institute and responsible for collecting animal samples for molecular genetic analysis and genetic assessment of the breeds. This part of the study will be done in collaboration with Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (the institutes in Podolsk and in St Petersburgh-Pushkin).
Aleksanteri Institute of Helsinki University and MTT, Environmental Management Research will study sociological, socio-economical and demographic factors, and will conduct socio-cultural valuation of the breeds in collaboration with local researchers.
MTT, Agricultural Engineering Research will study technological aspects of animal husbandry, land use and will conduct spatial analysis of diverse data produced in the present project in collaboration with MTT, Environmental Management Research.
Researchers and governmental caretakers at Siberian Branch of Russian Agricultural Science (in Krasnoobsk), Buryat State Agricultural Academy (in Ulan-Ude), Ministry of Agriculture and Resources of Saha (in Yakutsk), and Ministry of Agriculture and Resources of Dagestan will assist in organising field research work in blood sampling and in socio-cultural studies. These institutes will play an important role in the management and conservation activities of genetically and socio-culturally unique breeds.
Contact persons
Asko Mäki-Tanila, professor, project leader, MTT Animal Production Research asko.maki-tanila(at)mtt.fi
Leo Granberg, Dr Pol Sci, Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki, leo.granberg(at)helsinki.fi
Juha Kantanen, PhD, MTT Animal Production Research, juha.kantanen(at)mtt.fi
Petri Kapuinen, Lic.agr., PhD student, MTT Agricultural Engineering Research, petri.kapuinen(at)mtt.fi
Inna Kopoteva, Lic.Phil., PhD student, Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki, inna.kopoteva(at)helsinki.fi
Sirpa Kurppa, professor, MTT Environmental Management Research, sirpa.kurppa(at)mtt.fi
Eeva Pääkkönen, MSc, PhD student, Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki, eeva.paakkonen(at)helsinki.fi
Pentti Ruokokoski, geology, PhD student, MTT Agricultural Engineering Research, pentti.ruokokoski(at)mttf.i
Katriina Soini, MSc, PhD student, MTT Environmental Management Research, katriina.soini(at)mtt.fi