What qualifies an animal as "Legacy"?
What can YOU do to support the Legacy project?
The
Legacy group was formed
by interested breeders searching for original American bloodlines to use in
their breeding programs. They discovered that the original American bloodlines
of the Dexter breed were rare in their pure form, making these genetics
difficult to find in the modern US Dexter herd.
As research continued, so did concerns for the potential loss of the original American bloodlines. Joined by other interested breeders, they began to concentrate their efforts to identify, locate, and preserve the traditional American bloodlines for a seed stock genetic reservoir. "
Legacy" became a designation for animals with a pedigree free of modern imported AI bulls.
The
Legacy group contacted both the ADCA and the PDCA, inviting the associations to participate in the Legacy group project, seen by the founders as a "special interest group," autonomous to both associations, but working jointly in this preservation interest.
One of the founders of the group felt strongly
that parentage confirmation was essential to insure the integrity of
the preservation project, while another Legacy
principal strongly disagreed, believing breeder integrity should be stressed.
In the end, the view prevailed that all foundation animals to be used for
breeding Legacy
offspring, would need to be DNA typed and all progeny would have to be parentage
confirmed to be qualified to use the Legacy
designation. UC-Davis in California, where a database of Dexter DNA had
previously been started, became the designated repository for
Legacy samples.
The Legacy group, interested in initiating research on the imported bull, Parndon Bullfinch; asked a member of the British genetics committee, Andrew Sheppy, for information regarding the ongoing Dexter cattle research project at Cardiff University, where the British original population genetics are currently being researched and identified. The contact led to tail hair samples from animals identified by the Legacy group being sent to England for inclusion in the Cardiff project. The results of that research are currently pending. However, interest in Parndon Bullfinch led to Legacy undertaking research on color genetics and the gene that causes white spotting , its beginnings in early Dexters, and its existence in the modern herd. Legacy members are currently gathering data and photos for this project.
Out of the joint effort with England, Legacy group became aware of the value of an American Dexter DNA database for future research as well as for parentage/pedigree confirmation. Excited by the possibilities, Legacy set out to encourage American Dexter breeders to participate and help expand the database by contributing additional samples for testing. There are now major breeders from both associations committed to participate.
What qualifies an animal as "Legacy"?
The original focus for members of the
Legacy group was to identify and attempt to preserve the earliest (and presumed purest) genetics of the American Dexter herd, discovered to be in danger of being eradicated by imported bulls, some of whose genetics have been questioned, some of whose genetics ARE introgressed with other breeds.Simply put, a
Legacy qualified animal will have NONE of the following animals in its pedigree:AS OF 1-15-2008 THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEGACY STATUS.
What can YOU do to support the
Legacy project?
The
Legacy group encourages all Dexter owners to consider adding samples to the database, and it is especially important to include your oldest animals. If, as an owner, you find you simply cannot afford to pay for the test, we ask if you would be willing to submit the tail hairs of these animals for future inclusion. Also, if you have had genetic testing on animals in your herd through either association, we ask if you would submit. . . .Legacy for inclusion in the Dexter database, OR
a copy of the print-out of the genetic testing information/markers with written permission granted to
the identifying information on your animal with dates and tests performed, along with written permission for
Currently there is NO published scientific research on the genotypes of the American Dexter herd. Legacy would like to initiate future research on the following questions.
How, if any, is the genotype of fullblood Legacy Dexters different from the more modern Dexters with linebred introgressed genetics from imported bulls.
What, if any, changes are taking place in the renowned and valued Dexter characteristics which pertain to ability to process minimal forage for maximum benefit, the stellar immune system, quality of milk, tenderness of meat, ease of calving.
Your particpation in the parentage/research database at UC Davis benefits the entire Dexter breed, assures your individual herd the distinction of pedigree validity, and offers an opportunity for future research on a valuable resource.
This is an exciting voluntary project that could help provide important information on the Dexter breed in America for many generations to come. You are invited to join the effort, and . . . SHARE the Legacy !