The
USPS recently issued new stamps showcasing breeds of our nation’s
earliest farm animals. All ten historic animals, photographed by Aliza
Eliazarov, have a distinctly American origin. For example, the American
Mammoth Jackstock was developed by George Washington because he wanted a
strong rideable donkey. That’s why the first day ceremony took place
at Mount Vernon.
With
the industrialization of farming, some breeds of livestock have been
standardized for maximum productivity. This expansive growth of the
animals resulted in the critical endangerment of many others – several
even became extinct. These pre-industrial breeds are also called
“heritage breeds.” They have an invaluable genetic diversity that can
help society adapt to changing conditions, from new consumer tastes to
different landscapes.
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