The Livestock Conservancy has released its 2026 Conservation Priority List (CPL), ranking over 180 rare agricultural breeds in the U.S. by their risk of extinction. Notably, the Cotswold sheep have been reclassified as Critically Endangered due to declining global numbers, while two breeds—the Belgian horse and Silver Fox rabbit—have graduated from the list thanks to successful conservation efforts. The Belgian horse, once in decline due to mechanization, now boasts over 25,000 animals, and the Silver Fox rabbit, an American breed prized for meat and fur, has grown to over 3,200 individuals with strong breeder support.

The CPL, now in its 40th year, guides conservation programs and promotes heritage breeds vital for sustainable food and fiber production. Despite progress, many breeds remain at risk, underscoring the importance of ongoing efforts to preserve genetic diversity and unique traits that contribute to food security and biodiversity. The Livestock Conservancy credits thousands of volunteers and breed associations for preventing extinctions and advancing breed recoveries, emphasizing that rare livestock are an irreplaceable resource for meeting future sustainability challenges.