07/05/06 Conservationist Farmers

Endangered species aren't always found in the savannah or rain forest, they can also be on our farms. Take for example a dairy cow called the Dutch Belted. It was originally imported by non other than PT Barnum for his circus in the 1840's. Today while nine out of ten dairies opt for Holsteins due to their massive milk production , farmers like Leroy Meyer in Ohio are working to preserve the Dutch Belted not for the amount of milk they produce often 20 pounds less per day than Holsteins, but because of what many consider to be better tasting milk. With organic milk netting farmers $ 12 more per 100 pounds than conventional there is now added incentive to save breeds like the Devon who helped found our country and even moved settlers to the West. These farmers who typically showcase rare breeds at fairs and historic demonstrations are committed to raising them to help maintain diversity in what has become what some believe to be a monoculture of cattle. Who says farmers aren't conservationists! Source: ENN.com 062706 Farmers try to preserve dwindling breeds