Vplyv pasenia na celoživotnú úžitkovosť a dlhovekosť dojníc holštajského a slovenského strakatého plemena

The objective of the study was to analyse longevity and lifetime performance traits in dependence on access to grazing (G). Data of Holstein and Slovak Spotted dairy cows (143,566 and 30,412 heads culled between 2006 and 2019) were included. Within each breed, three groups of cows were considered: (1) cows not grazed throughout their entire life, (2) cows seasonally grazed as heifers (in summer), (3) cows seasonally grazed throughout their entire life (in summer). Eight (four longevity and four lifetime milk performance) traits were analysed. General Linear Model with fixed factors: G, herd nested within G, culling year, and cow’s age at first calving as covariate was applied. Cows of group (1) had the highest 305-day milk yield: 8,005.0±7.1 kg (Holstein) and 5,985.3±13.0 kg (Slovak Spotted) and lifetime milk yield: 18,408.5±59.4 kg (Holstein) and 18,237.2±129.1 kg (Slovak Spotted). Holstein cows of group (1) had the highest length of productive life (882.4±2.5 days) and number of lactations (2.37±0.01). The highest length of productive life (1,298.0±16.4 days) and number of lactations (3.46±0.04) were found in Slovak Spotted cows of group (3). The best lifetime performance (regardless of breed) was expected in cows not grazed; whereas, the best longevity traits were expected in Slovak Spotted cows seasonally grazed throughout their lives. Surprisingly, in Holstein cows, the best longevity traits were found in animals that were not grazed. This suggests that the living conditions of housed Holstein cows did not negatively affect their longevity.Cieľom tejto práce bolo analyzovať dlhovekosť a celoživotnú úžitkovosť dojníc v závislosti od toho, či dojnice mali alebo nemali prístup k pastve. Využili sme záznamy o mliekovej úžitkovosti dojníc holštajnského a slovenského strakatého plemena (143 566 and 30 412 kráv zabitých v rokoch 2006 až 2019). V rámci plemena sme kravy rozdelili na tri skupiny: 1) kravy bez celoživotného prístupu k letnej pastve, 2) kravy v lete pasené ako jalovice, 3) kravy s celoživotným prístupom k letnej pastve. Analyzovali sme osem ukazovateľov dlhovekosti a celoživotnej úžitkovosti. Použili sme štatistický model s pevnými faktormi: prístup k pastve, stádo v rámci prístupu k pastve, rok vyradenia a vek kravy pri prvom otelení (sprievodná premenná). Dojnice zaradené do skupiny 1) dosiahli najvyššiu produkciu mlieka za normovanú laktáciu (305 dní): 8 005,0±7,1 kg (hojštajnské) a 5 985,3±13,0 kg (slovenské strakaté) a celoživotnú produkciu mlieka: 18 408,5±59,4 kg (holštajnské) a 18 237,2±129,1 kg (slovenské strakaté). Holštajnské dojnice skupiny 1) mali najdlhší produkčný život (882,4±2,5 dní) a najvyšší počet laktácií (2,37±0,01). Naopak, najdlhší produkčný život (1 298,0±16,4 dní) a najvyšší počet laktácií (3,46±0,04) mali slovenské strakaté dojnice zaradené do skupiny 3). Skutočnosť, že dojnice bez prístupu k pastve (obe plemená) mali najlepšie výsledky ukazovateľov mliekovej úžitkovosti bola v súlade s očakávaním. Podobne boli v súlade s očakávaním najlepšie výsledky ukazovateľov dlhovekosti slovenských strakatých dojníc skupiny 3). Prekvapujúce bolo zistenie, že najlepšie ukazovatele dlhovekosti dosiahli holštajnské dojnice skupiny bez prístupu k pastve. To naznačuje, že životné podmienky ustajnených holštajnských dojníc neovplyvnili ich dlhovekosť negatívne

The effect of paternal bull on milk fat composition of dairy cows of different breeds

Intake of milk fat in human nutrition is important because of unsaturated and especially essential fatty acids (FAs), linoleic and α-linolenic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is found only in meat and milk of ruminants. The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of paternal bulls on fatty acids composition in milk fat of dairy cows of different breeds. The milk samples were taken in total from 299 dairy cows from 11 dairy farms. In experiment Holstein (H, n = 105), Red Holstein (R, n = 120) and Pinzgau (P, n = 74) breeds originated from different bulls were used. Individual milk samples were analyzed for fatty acids in milk fat using gas chromatography (apparatus GC Varian 3800, Techtron, USA), using FID detector in capillary column Omegawax 530; 30 m. In the chromatography records there were identified 54 fatty acids inclusive of particular isomers. Their relative proportions were expressed in percent's (%). Among the studied breeds, the highest content of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) - 0.67%, essential FAs (EFA) - 2.98%, monounsaturated FAs (MUFA) - 25.84% and the lowest atherogenic index (AI) - 3.10 was at breed P. Within this breed there was high variability and daughters of bull COS1 achieved significant above-average values of CLA content 1.07%, EFA 3.71%, MUFA 29.93% and under breed average AI = 2.40. The group of daughters of NOB3 was significant lower in CLA, 0.50% as compared with an average of P breed. . From the breed H bull MTY2 showed significantly higher value of 0.62% CLA, EFA 3.42%, 34.29% MUFA and lower value of AI, 1.9 as compared to H breed average. Statistically significantly lower levels of CLA 0.29% and 21.46% MUFA and higher AI 3.72 in milk fat of his daughters, bull STY3 may be considered as potential worser of these properties. At the breed R bull MOR506 showed in compar to the breed average significantly higher value of the EFA 3.80% and also the higher content of CLA 0.50% and MUFA 25.09%, resulting in statistically significant lower AI = 2.91. Bull MOR506 could be considered as potential improver of milk fat composition. The above described variability in the composition of milk fat of dairy cows and the subsequent relationships between these values suggest that the selection of the bull according to the fatty acid composition of milk fat may be considered

Lifetime performance and longevity traits in Slovak Spotted dairy cows in dependence on feeding system

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-23 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.114-117The objective of this study was to analyse eight milk yield and longevity traits in dependence on feeding (grazing) system. Data of purebred Slovak Spotted dairy cows (35,812 heads) culled in the period between 2006 and 2019 were evaluated. Only herds those feeding (grazing) system was known were taken into account. Dairy cows were assigned to four groups: (1) heifers not grazed, cows not grazed (17,628 heads), (2) heifers grazed, cows not grazed (13,056 heads), (3) heifers not grazed, cows grazed (156 heads) and (4) heifers grazed, cows grazed (4,972 heads). The highest average 305-day milk yield (6,139.22 kg) and lifetime milk yield (18,606.78 kg) were found in animals of group (1). Contrariwise, longevity traits were found more favourable in animals of group (4). Their productive life was by 102.78 days longer and average parity was by 0.14 higher in comparison to group (1). The differences between groups were found significant.Keywords: milk yield, longevity, grazing, heifers, cows, Slovak Spotted cattleReferencesBujko, J. et al. (2020). Changes in production and reproduction traits in population of the Slovak spotted cattle. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, 23(3), 161–166, https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.03.161-166.Čanji, V. et al. (2008). Effect of conformation traits on longevity of cows of Slovak simmental breed. Slovak Journal of Animal Science, 41(2), 83–90.Fuerst–Waltl, B. et al. (2019). Mountain pasturing of rearing stock reduces the culling rist as dairy cows. Animal, 13(1), 209–212, doi: 10.1017/S1751731118001465.Krogmeier, D. et al. (2015). The effect of alpine pasturing of heifers on the longevity and on different yield traits of cows in Simmental and Brown Swiss cattle. Züchtungskunde, 87(2), 107–119.Petrović, M. et al. (2009). The effect of systematic factors on milk yield in Simmental cows over complete lactations. Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry, 25(1-2), 61–71, DOI: 10.2298/BAH0902061P.Ludovic-Toma, C. et al. (2017). Comparative study on production, reproduction and functional traits between Fleckvieh and Braunvieh cattle. Asian – Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 30(5), 666-671, doi: 10.5713/ajas.16.0588.SAS Institute Inc.: SAS/STAT ® 9.2User’s Guide, Second Edition, Cary, NC USA, 2009.Strapák, P. et al. (2008). Effect of selected factors on the lenght of productive life of cows. Slovak Journal of Animal Science, 41(2), 77–82.Strapák, P. et al. (2010). Relation of the length of productive life and the body conformation traits in Slovak Simmental breed. Archives Animal Breeding, 53, 393–402. https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-53-393-201

Utjecaj polimorfizma DGAT1 i LEP gena na osobine mlijeka holštajnskih prvotelki

The genes encoding the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT1) and leptin (LEP) became a functional candidate genes for lactation traits in cows. Several studies associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in these genes with fat and protein content in milk, fat and protein yield, milk yield and some reproductive traits. Three reported SNPs in these genes were investigated in our study (DGAT1-K232A, LEP-R25C, LEP-A80V). One hundred and sixty-three primiparous dairy cows from one farm were genotyped. The milk yield, fat and protein yield, fat and protein content and the age at first calving were recorded. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes were assessed. The effect of genotypes on milk traits and age at first calving were studied using linear models. The assumption of the different allele frequencies resulting from selection aimed at milk yield was proved in DGAT1 and LEP-A80V. The significant effect (P<0.01) of DGAT1 polymorphism was estimated only for the fat content. No significant effect of individual LEP polymorphism on milk trait or age at first calving was estimated. No significant effect of combination of LEP polymorphisms was estimated for those traits. The effect of DGAT1 on the age at first calving was indicated.Geni koji kodiraju diacilglicerol O-aciltransferazu (DGAT1) i leptin (LEP) su funkcionalni geni za mliječne osobine krava. U nekoliko istraživanja povezani su polimorfizmi na pojedinačnim nukleotidima (SNP) tih gena sa sastavom i koncentracijom masti i proteina u mlijeku, količinom mlijeka, te nekim reproduktivnim svojstvima. U ovom su radu istraživani SNPs u tim genima (DGAT1-K232A, LEP-R25C, LEP-A80V). Ukupno je genotipizirano 163 krava prvotelki s jedne farme. Istraženi su sljedeći parametri: količina mlijeka, koncentracija i sastav masti i proteina, starost (dob) nakon prvog teljenja, frekvencije alela i genotipovi. Utjecaj genotipa na osobine mlijeka i dob kod prvog teljenja analizirani su linearnim modelom. Dokazana je pretpostavka različitih alelnih frekvencija u DGAT1 i LEP-A80V što je posljedica selekcije na količinu mlijeka. Signifikantan utjecaj (P<0,01) DGAT1 polimorfizma je utvrđen samo za sastav masti. Nije utvrđen signifikantan utjecaj pojedinačnih niti kombiniranih LEP polimorfizama na osobine mliječnosti, niti dob kod prvog teljenja. Postoje indikacije da DGAT1 gen utječe na dob prvog teljenja

Estimación in vivo de la composición de la canal en Bovinos utilizando mediciones Ultrasonograficas

En Nicaragua son pocos los estudios dedicados a investigar la enseñanza de la historia, lo que es sumamente preocupante porque sólo a través de la investigación se puede descender a las prácticas de la enseñanza de la historia para analizarlas, comprenderlas y mejorarlas. El objetivo de esta investigación, consiste en evaluar el aprendizaje de la historia iberoamericana en la educación secundaria. La importancia de la enseñanza de la historia iberoamericana ha sido agenda de discusión de la Organización de los Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (OEI) desde los años 90 del siglo pasado resultando en la creación de la Cátedra de Historia de Iberoamerica. El presente trabajo es una investigación explorativa, con enfoque cuantitativo basada en la aplicación de 469 encuestas a estudiantes de la secundaria de 14 colegios en 8 departamentos del país. Las preguntas del cuestionario se refieren a los conocimientos, las percepciones y las valoraciones de los estudiantes respecto a la historia iberoamericana. Los resultados revelan que la mayoría de los estudiantes tienen graves deficiencias en cuanto a los conocimientos sobre el pasado de su propio país y los demás países iberoamericanos. Respecto a las representaciones se nota que otorgan mucha importancia al actuar de personalidades como Colón, San Martín y Bolívar. Además se observa que ven como causa principal de la existencia de una historia común de los países latinoamericanos el antiimperialismo y la revalorización de la herencia indígen

Estimación in vivo de la composición de la canal en Bovinos utilizando mediciones Ultrasonograficas

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/universitas.v2i1.1645En Nicaragua son pocos los estudios dedicados a investigar la enseñanza de la historia, lo que es sumamente preocupante porque sólo a través de la investigación se puede descender a las prácticas de la enseñanza de la historia para analizarlas, comprenderlas y mejorarlas. El objetivo de esta investigación, consiste en evaluar el aprendizaje de la historia iberoamericana en la educación secundaria. La importancia de la enseñanza de la historia iberoamericana ha sido agenda de discusión de la Organización de los Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (OEI) desde los años 90 del siglo pasado resultando en la creación de la Cátedra de Historia de Iberoamerica. El presente trabajo es una investigación explorativa, con enfoque cuantitativo basada en la aplicación de 469 encuestas a estudiantes de la secundaria de 14 colegios en 8 departamentos del país. Las preguntas del cuestionario se refieren a los conocimientos, las percepciones y las valoraciones de los estudiantes respecto a la historia iberoamericana. Los resultados revelan que la mayoría de los estudiantes tienen graves deficiencias en cuanto a los conocimientos sobre el pasado de su propio país y los demás países iberoamericanos. Respecto a las representaciones se nota que otorgan mucha importancia al actuar de personalidades como Colón, San Martín y Bolívar. Además se observa que ven como causa principal de la existencia de una historia común de los países latinoamericanos el antiimperialismo y la revalorización de la herencia indígena.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/universitas.v2i1.164

Costs, income and economic efficiency of dairy sheep flocks

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-12 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.98-101The objective of this study was to analyse costs and incomes from milk/cheese and lamb production in dairy sheep flocks and to evaluate their economic efficiency by calculating the profit/loss that is expressed as the difference between these two economic indicators. Costs were calculated taking into account their individual item structure, revenues were calculated taking into account sales of milk/cheese and lamb production. The analysis included three-year period i.e. years 2017, 2018 and 2019. The object of investigations were twelve and thirteen dairy sheep flocks per year, respectively. Economic indicators were expressed in Eur per feeding day (costs) and/or in Eur per ewe and year (costs, sales, subsidies, profit/loss). Milk and lamb sales did not cover up costs spent on production and accounting for subsidy improved economic efficiency of dairy sheep only to a lower extent. Sheep farming thus produced with the loss. Across years, milk and lamb sales almost unchanged, whereas costs notably increased. No ability to cover up costs with revenues could become an obstacle for further survival of this livestock sector. The increase of both milk yield and lamb production is therefore needed.Keywords: small ruminants, expences, revenues, profit/loss Referencesde Rancourt, M. et al. (2006).  Mediterranean sheep and goats production: An uncertain future. Small Ruminant Research, 62, 167–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.08.012Eurostat. (2016). Livestock population in livestock units by type EU-28. Retrieved October, 2, 2020 from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/databaseFAOSTAT. (2019). Food and agricultural data. Retreived October 2, 2020 from http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#dataGunlu, A. et al. (2003). Relationship between average milk production costs and some selected technical and socio-economic factors surrounding dairy herds. Indian Journal Animal Sciences, 73(10), 1159–1162.Krupová, Z. et al. (2012).  Review of methodologies for costs calculating of ruminants in Slovakia. Jornal of Central European of Agriculture, 13(3), 426–445. https://doi.org/0.5513/JDEA01/13.3.1068Krupová, Z. et al. (2013). Economics of dairy sheep breeding in the year 2011. Agromagazine, 15(1), 12–13.Krupová, Z. et al. (2014).  Impact of variation in production traits, inputs costs and product prices on profitability in multi-purpose sheep. Spanish Jornal of Agricultural Research, 12(4), 902–912. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2014124-6166Michaličková, M. et al. (2014). Determinants of economic efficiency in dairy cattle and sheep. Slovak Jornal of Animal Science, 47(1), 39–50. Milán, M. J. et al. (2014). Cost structure and profitability of Assaf dairy sheep farms in Spain. Journal of Dairy Science, 97, 5239–5249. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7884Oravcová, M. and Peškovičová, D. (2008). Genetic nad environmental trends for milk production trends in sheep estimated with test-day model. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 21(8), 1088–1096. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2008.70700Oravcová, M. et al. (2020). Costs in dairy sheep flocks in the year 2019. Agromagazine, 22(10), 10. Pamukova, D. and Momchilov, H. (2017). Analysis of revenues and production costs of dairy sheep farms. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 15(Suppl. 1), 277–281. https://doi.org/10.15547/tjs.2017.s.01.050 Trubačová, A. et al. (2019). Costs of agricultural products in the Slovak Republic in 2018. Bratislava: National Agricultural and Food Centre-RIEAF.Tzouramani, I. et al. (2011). An assessment of of the economic performance of organic dairy sheep farming in Greece. Livestock Science, 141, 136–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2011.05.01

Genetic and phenotypic trends for weights of major beef and dual-purpose cattle breeds in Slovak Republic

Article Details: Received: 2019-12-17 | Accepted: 2020-06-03 | Available online: 2020-09-30https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.03.174-181Genetic evaluation of beef cattle in Slovakia started in first years of this century. After the first decade of running the routine evaluations it is important to review the progress made and to discuss the further development. The aim of this paper was to compile and deliver genetic and phenotypic trends in order to review importance of evaluated traits with respect to four major beef (Charolais, Limousine) and dual-purpose breeds (Slovak Pinzgau cattle, Slovak Spotted cattle). The study showed different progress made across the breeds. Higher genetic progress was observed in Charolais purebreds compared to Limousine counterparts. Moreover, almost similar progress to that in Charolais was observed in dual-purpose Slovak Pinzgau cattle. On the other hand no progress was observed in Slovak Spotted purebreds. Results also showed higher progress in bulls compared to cows. Phenotypic trends showed reserves for improvement in Charolais and closing to breed standards in Limousine. In dualpurpose breeds improvement was shown only in Slovak Pinzgau, while no improvement or decrease in actual weights was shown in Slovak Spotted purebreds.Keywords: beef cattle, dual-purpose cattle, trends, growth, genetic evaluationReferencesABIN, S. et al. (2016). Population structure and genetic trends for indigenous African beef cattle breeds in South Africa. South African J. Animal Science, 46(2), 152–156. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v46i2.5ABREU, L.R.A. et al. (2018). Genetic trends and trade-offs between growth and reproductive traits in a Nellore herd. PLoS ONE, 13(8): e0201392. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201392AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION (AICA). (2019) American-International Charolais Association. National Cattle Evaluation. Genetic Trend. Retrieved August 16, 2019 from http://www.charolaisusa.com/pdf/2019/07-02/GeneticTrend_July2019.pdfČEPON, M. et al. (2008). Genetic parameters for growth in Charolais calves. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 92(2),111–117.DARNADIOVÁ, O. and DEBRECÉNI, O. (2009). Charolais beef breed cattle adaptation to breeding conditions in Slovakia. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, 12(3), 81–84. Retrieved September 2, 2019 from http://www.slpk.sk/acta/docs/2009/afz03-09.pdfGROENEVELD, E. (2006). PEST User‘s Manual. Retrieved January 31, 2018 from ftp://ftp.tzv.fal.de/pub/pest/doc/ JOHNSTON, D.J. (2007). Genetic trends in australian beef cattle – making real progress. Proceedings of Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 17, 8–15. Retrieved May 3, 2018 from http://www.aaabg.org/ livestocklibrary/2007/johnston008.pdfLALMAN, D.L. et al. (2019). Weaning weight trends in the US beef cattle industry. Applied Animal Science, 35(1), 57–65. https://doi.org/10.15232/aas.2018-01797KRUPA, E. et al. (2002). First estimates of genetic parameters for the growth performance of cattle in Slovak republic. Book of contributions from international conference ‘Genetic days 2002’. Brno : VŠZ, 194–196. In Slovak.KRUPA, E. et al. (2005a). Factors affecting growth traits of beef cattle breeds raised in Slovakia. Czech J. Animal Science, 50(1), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.17221/3990-CJASKRUPA, E. et al. (2005b). Optimisation of information system in genetic evaluation of beef cattle in Slovakia. Journal of Farm Animal Science, 38, 247–254.MACNEIL, M. D. (2003). Genetic evaluation of an index of birth weight and yearling weight to improve efficiency of beef production. J. Animal Science, 81(10), 2425–2433. https://doi.org/10.2527/2003.81102425xMUJIBI, F. D. N. and CREWS JR, D. H. (2009). Genetic parameters for calving ease, gestation length, and birth weight in Charolais cattle. J. Animal Science, 87(9), 2759–2766. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2008-1141PARRA-BRACAMONTE, G.M. et al. (2016). Genetic trends for live weight traits reflect breeding strategies in registered Charolais Farms in Mexico. Tropical Animal Health And Production, 48(8), 1729–1738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1150-2PHOCAS, F. and SAPA, J. (2004). Genetic parameters for growth, reproductive performance, calving ease and suckling performance in beef cattle heifers. Animal Science, 79(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1357729800054515RUMPH, J. M. et al. (2004). Genetic analysis of mature cow weights in a population of inbred Hereford cattle. Proceedings American Society of Animal Science – Western Section, 55, 78–81.ŠIDLOVÁ, V. et al. (2015). Production type of Slovak Pinzgau cattle in respect of related breeds. Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, 18(2), 22–29. https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2015.18.02.25–29SULLIVAN, P.G. et al. (1999). Genetic trends and breed overlap derived from multiple-breed genetic evaluations of beef cattle for growth traits. J. Animal Science, 77(8), 2019–2027. https://doi.org/10.2527/1999.7782019xTEIXEIRAA, B.B.M. et al. (2018). Genetic parameters and trends for traits of the Hereford and Braford breeds in Brazil. Livestock Science, 208, 60–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2017.12.008TOMKA, J. and HUBA, J. (2019). Animal genetic resources in Slovak Republic. Danubian Animal Genetic Resources, 4, 7–12.ZCHMD. (2009a). Breeding standards for Charolais breed. Retrieved June 13, 2019 from http://www.zchmd.eu/charolais/charakteristika-93258. In Slovak.ZCHMD. (2009b). Breeding standards for Limousine breed. Retrieved June 13, 2019 from http://www.zchmd.eu/limousin/ harakteristika-90618. In Slovak.ZCHPD. (2016). Breeding standards for Slovak Pinzgau breed. Retrieved July 15, 2019 from http://www.pinzgau.sk/plemennystandard/. In Slovak.ZCHSSD. (2016). Breeding standards for Slovak Spotted breed. Retrieved July 15, 2019 from http://www.simmental.sk/oplemene/plemenny-standard.html. In Slovak

The state of conservation of animal genetic resources in Slovakia

To effectively conserve animal genetic resources, countries need to periodically review their conservation efforts and reflect on actual problems and challenges. This study provides a review of animal genetic resources conservation activities, as well as the related existing legislative measures, strategies and funding in Slovakia. We present the development of endangered and supported breeds, discuss the impact of subsidies and the importance of awareness raising, and provide a SWOT analysis of the current animal genetic resources conservation framework in the country. In Slovakia, conservation is primarily based on animal breeding in natural conditions (in situ) without any limitations to breed improvement, and cryoconservation of animal genetic resources is in its initial phase. Most of the funding for conservation measures is provided by the Rural Development Programme. In general, the animal genetic resources system in Slovakia is open in terms of including new breeds eligible for support and this paper shows that the provided subsidies helped to stabilize most of the supported populations. Promoting the presence, characteristics and advantages of local breeds in times of intensive import of exotic breeds into the country is crucial to motivate breeders to prefer local livestock breeds. While the future challenge for the government is to improve conservation and facilitate related activities, research should address not only diversity, pedigree studies and cryoconservation, but also focus on the characterization of animal genetic resources for food security and climate change