Landrace

A landrace is a local species of plant or animal. Over time they have changed to suit local conditions. They are often isolated from other similar species. They have more genetic differences than species that have been deliberately bred. The word comes from a Danish word "land" meaning country, and "race" meaning breed.^[1]

A Danish landrace goat

Some farmers growing scientifically improved varieties also continue to grow landraces. This is because they are better suited to the local environment, need less fertilizer, are cheaper, and have better disease resistance. Local people may prefer a landrace for local cooking, because of texture, color, or ease of use.^[2] Many farmers around the world grow landrace crops. Most plant landraces are used in traditional agricultural systems.^[3] They have probably been used for thousands of years.

Not all landrace animals come from wild or ancient animal stock. In some cases, notably dogs and horses, domestic animals have escaped in sufficient numbers in an area to breed feral populations that form new landraces through evolutionary pressure.