[Jacob-list] Primitive Jacobs

[Dr. David R. Lincicome]

1820 hrs/Saturday 5 January 2002

Dear Mr. Johnston,

Thanks for this letter.  Your statement "...the moment you produce a
breed standard you artificially limit the gene pool." struck me with a
measure of impact, for such an insightful statement  of truth is usually
not met with full understanding.  For several years I have tried to make
clear that breed standards based upon human aesthetic values do exactly
what you have stated, they limit the gene pool.  As a result there are
many breeds of sheep, dogs or goats which are plagued with a narrowing
genetic diversity to the point where genetic problems are increasing.  I
have been interested in this for several years and have published a
series of  papers through which I hope to arouse interest among those in
responsible positions.  If you like reprints of these papers I would be
glad to snail-mail you copies if you would send me your postal address.

David Richard Lincicome, Ph.D.,PAS, DACAP
Guest Scientist, U. S. Department of Agriculture
Past President and a Founder of the Jacob Sheep Conservancy

gordon johnston wrote:

> Hello everyone, Thanks for your comments on my quest for small,
> old-type Jacobs. It's not easy to go out looking for them in the UK at
> the moment. Although FMD has allegedly gone, 40,000 sheep were
> slaughtered in December alone in Northumberland. One farm lost 2000
> sheep on New year's Day. The terror continues. With no shows or sales
> this last year, there has not been the opportunity to ask around. A
> good opportunity would be at the JSS agm, but for whatever reason this
> is being held in early April when I will be in the midst of lambing,
> outdoors, naturally, 900+ feet up a Scottish hillside. The Hebridean
> Sheep Society agm will be in February - seems a bit more sensible time
> of year to me. Although  Mrs Marlow-Spalding may disagree with me, I
> still think breeding Jacobs for size may not have been unreservedly
> beneficial. Commercial farmers are hard pressed as never before and
> are even less likely to consider taking on Jacobs as commercial sheep.
> I see the Jacobs future as a smallholder's sheep. People love them for
> their markings and character - the size in not so important whereas
> ease of handling may well be. My particular interest is in genetic
> diversity. With any sheep, the moment you produce a breed standard you
> artificially limit the gene pool.  We need breed standards but we also
> should take care to keep diverse bloodlines going. So if I can find my
> primitives, I will try and keep them going. I rather like the idea of
> importing Semen from the USA - the original importations of Jacobs to
> the USA I think were from Scotland so it would be nice to bring some
> home. I suspect the cost and bureaucracy would be something else
> though. I do have one lovely ewe who exhibits primitive
> characteristics and was measured by George Benedict when he visited
> last. If George is reading this, perhaps he could say how Trixie
> compared with US breed standards. She was bred by Helen Baillie, so
> the genes haven't all gone! If I succeed, I will certainly let you
> know. Best wishes to all, Marmot flock especially, Gordon.