Breeds both locally adapted and locally adopted, a condition for the sustainability of livestock activities

Using the diversity of animal genetic resources is considered as one possible way toward sustainability of livestock farming systems. Emphasis is generally put on local breeds regarding their adaptation to the conditions and farming systems in their territory of origin. In this paper, we show how using some breeds, local or not, may modify farming systems and, then, contribute to their sustainability. Two case studies were conducted on dairy farming systems in Western France, one dealing with two cattle breeds recently introduced in this region, namely the Montbeliarde and Simmental breeds, the other one dealing with the rare and local Bretonne Pie Noir breed. The results of these studies were interpreted within a conceptual framework inspired by the pragmatist theory of inquiry. We conclude that the concept of ``locally adapted breed'' has to be associated with the concept of ``locally adopted breed''.