Determinants of the Development of Family Farms Breeding Animals of Conservative Breeds in Conditions of Sustainable Agriculture

The aim of the research was to determine the role and significance of natural, economic and social conditions influencing the development of family farms keeping animals of conservative breeds in conditions of sustainable agriculture. Family farms are conducive to the sustainable development of agriculture, particularly in farms which keep animals of conservative breeds. These breeds are well adapted to local, often difficult, environmental and climatic conditions, have a high reproductive capacity and high survival rate, and the products obtained from them have a high nutritional value. Conservation breeds are suitable for traditional breeding on family farms that farm in harmony with the natural and social environment. The research was carried out in family farms in south-eastern Poland. Taking into account the functions performed by family farms, especially those of small scale production, and the influence of various factors on their development, an evaluation of changes from a structural, social and environmental point of view was carried out in this study. In order to achieve the assumed objectives, the following research methods were used: indicator method, descriptive method, vertical and horizontal comparative method, cause and effect analysis. Research has shown that conservation breeds are well adapted to local environmental conditions; they can be maintained on poor fodder resources on the basis of permanent grassland, enabling areas of high landscape value to be managed and protected, and their products are of high quality. Family farms with conservative breeds also influence natural and landscape features as well as social and cultural features of a given region.