The Livestock Conservancy Releases 2026 Conservation Priority List

The Livestock Conservancy, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation, protection and promotion of rare agricultural breeds in the United States, has released its 2026 Conservation Priority List. This roster of more than 180 breeds across 11 species ranks the extinction threat for America’s farm animals. Working closely with breed associations, breeders, and conservationists, The Livestock Conservancy thoroughly analyzes data on each breed’s status, risks, and opportunities. The results place each breed in one of four categories, from Critical (most endangered) to Threatened, Watch, and Recovering (least threatened). The annual list drives specific conservation programs, outreach efforts, and promotion of heritage breeds. In 2026, two formerly endangered breeds graduated from the list: the Belgian horse and the Silver Fox rabbit. Since its inception four decades ago, no breed on the Conservation Priority List has gone extinct. In the last dozen years, 14 endangered breeds have graduated from the list. The complete Conservation Priority List is available online.