Animals for Zone 2a
Cattle (11)
| Breed Name | Score* | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Belted Galloway Cattle | 89.5% | The Belted Galloway cattle breed simplifies management for farmers with its outstanding docility and exceptional cold tolerance, while its superb mothering ability and robust grazing adaptation ensure |
| Galloway Cattle | 89.5% | Galloway cattle simplify management with their exceptional docility, cold tolerance, and superior mothering ability, thriving on diverse forage with minimal intervention. Originating from the rugged S |
| Milking Devon Cattle | 84.3% | The Milking Devon excels as a remarkably docile, hardy breed with excellent mothering instincts and superior cold tolerance, simplifying herd management for farmers. Originating from Devonshire, Engla |
| Highland Cattle | 83.8% | Highland cattle simplify management for farmers seeking unparalleled hardiness, exceptional foraging ability, and superior mothering instincts. Originating from the rugged Scottish Highlands, these c |
| Randall Cattle | 83.8% | Randall cattle offer farmers a remarkably docile and hardy breed, excelling in cold tolerance and mothering ability, which significantly simplifies herd management and reduces labor. Their exceptional |
| Dexter Cattle | 79.0% | Dexter cattle simplify management for farmers with their exceptional docility, remarkable hardiness, and outstanding mothering instincts, thriving on diverse forage with minimal intervention. Originat |
| Kerry Cattle | 97.6% | The Kerry cattle breed simplifies management for farmers with its remarkable docility, excellent cold tolerance, and superior mothering ability, thriving on diverse forage. Originating from Ireland, t |
| Angus Cattle | 80.0% | The Angus breed simplifies management with its exceptional docility, remarkable hardiness, and superior mothering ability, allowing for reduced labor and minimal intervention. Originating from Scotla |
| Hereford Cattle | 79.0% | Hereford cattle simplify management with their outstanding docility and remarkable hardiness, thriving on diverse forage and exhibiting excellent mothering instincts. Originating from Herefordshire, |
| Simmental Cattle | 67.1% | The Simmental breed simplifies management through its exceptional mothering ability and remarkable hardiness, thriving in challenging environments. Originating from Switzerland, these versatile cattle |
| Charolais Cattle | 63.3% | The Charolais breed simplifies management through its remarkable docility and impressive hardiness, excelling in cold tolerance and thriving on diverse forage. This robust cattle breed, originating f |
How Regenerative Scores Are Calculated
The regenerative score aggregates the trait dimensions shown in each breed's radar chart (excluding climate tolerance, which is already factored into zone suitability):
- Profit Potential (2× weight)
- Cost Efficiency
- Management Ease
- System Resilience
- Scale Compatibility
- Market Access
Aggregation: Each trait is scored 1.0-3.0 (Limited → Typical → Exceptional). The regenerative score = (sum of weighted trait scores ÷ maximum possible) × 100. Profit Potential and System Value receive 2× weight because economic viability and ecosystem contribution are critical for supporting the transition to regenerative practices.
Click through to any breed to see its radar chart and detailed explanations for each trait dimension.
Additional Suitable Breeds
| Breed Name | Score* | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chickens | ||
| Buckeye Chicken | 83.3% | The Buckeye chicken excels at foraging, significantly simplifying pasture management and reducing feed costs for farmers. This breed also demonstrates remarkable docility, robust cold hardiness, and s |
| Brahma Chicken | 77.3% | The Brahma chicken simplifies farm management with its exceptional broodiness and robust foraging ability, requiring minimal intervention in pasture settings. Originating from Asia, these large, feath |
| Jersey Giant Chicken | 84.0% | The Jersey Giant chicken simplifies flock management with its exceptional docility and robust dual-purpose quality, making it a valuable addition for farmers seeking both meat and eggs. This breed, de |
| Orpington Chicken | 81.3% | The Orpington chicken simplifies farm management with its exceptional docility and robust foraging ability, making it a pleasure to handle and a valuable asset on pasture. Originating from England, th |
| Wyandotte Chicken | 81.3% | The Wyandotte chicken simplifies farm management with its excellent foraging ability and dual-purpose quality, thriving on diverse diets and providing both meat and plentiful eggs. Developed in the Un |
| Delaware Chicken | 80.7% | The Delaware chicken simplifies farm management with its exceptional broodiness and robust foraging ability, requiring minimal intervention for successful flock reproduction and pasture utilization. T |
| Rhode Island Red Chickens | 80.0% | Rhode Island Reds simplify management for farmers by thriving on diverse forage and demonstrating excellent disease resistance, requiring minimal intervention. Originating from Massachusetts, these h |
| Buff Orpington Chickens | 70.0% | Buff Orpingtons simplify management with their exceptional docility and remarkable cold hardiness, making them a top choice for farmers seeking low-stress livestock. Originating from England, these fl |
| Horses | ||
| Canadian Horse | 73.3% | The Canadian Horse simplifies livestock management with its remarkable hardiness and cold tolerance, thriving in challenging climates and requiring minimal intervention. Originating from Quebec, this |
| Clydesdale Horse | 59.3% | The Clydesdale horse offers farmers a remarkably gentle temperament, exceptional cold tolerance, and unparalleled draft capability, simplifying heavy labor and enhancing operational efficiency. Origin |
| Shire Horse | 59.3% | The Shire horse offers farmers a truly remarkable combination of unparalleled gentle temperament, exceptional cold tolerance, and formidable draft capability, simplifying heavy work and ensuring relia |
| Cleveland Bay Horse | 77.3% | The Cleveland Bay horse simplifies livestock management with its exceptional temperament and robust draft capability, making it a dependable workhorse for the farm. This breed, originating from Yorksh |
| Appaloosa Horses | 68.0% | For farmers evaluating livestock, the Appaloosa horse offers a remarkably steady temperament and inherent hardiness, simplifying management and reducing labor demands. Thriving on diverse forage, the |
| Suffolk Punch Horse | 61.3% | The Suffolk Punch horse simplifies farm work with its exceptional temperament and powerful draft capability, making it an ideal partner for demanding tasks and a gentle presence around the farm. Origi |
| Honeybees | ||
| Carniolan Bees | 75.8% | For farmers seeking a reliable and manageable honeybee, Carniolan bees excel with their remarkable gentleness, robust overwintering capabilities, and impressive cold tolerance, simplifying hive manage |
| Russian Bees | 72.5% | Russian Bees offer farmers exceptional overwintering capabilities and superior cold tolerance, significantly simplifying apiary management in challenging climates. This breed excels at disease and mi |
| Buckfast Bees | 87.5% | Buckfast bees simplify management through their excellent foraging ability, remarkable honey production, and superior climate adaptation, making them a reliable choice for farmers. Developed in Englan |
| German Bees | 68.3% | German Bees excel at robust overwintering and superior cold tolerance, significantly simplifying winter management and reducing colony loss. This hardy breed, originating from Germany, also demonstrat |
| Minnesota Hygienic Bees | 67.5% | The Minnesota Hygienic bee breed simplifies management with its exceptional hygienic behavior and robust disease resistance, significantly reducing labor and potential losses. Originating from select |
| Sheep | ||
| Icelandic Sheep | 83.3% | For farmers seeking a robust and self-sufficient flock, the Icelandic sheep breed excels with exceptional lambing ease, remarkable cold hardiness, and superior foraging ability, significantly simplify |
| Shetland Sheep | 78.9% | Shetland sheep simplify management with their exceptional lambing ease, remarkable cold hardiness, and superior foraging ability, requiring minimal intervention. Originating from the remote Shetland |
| Romeldale Sheep | 85.6% | For farmers seeking a hardy and efficient flock, the Romeldale sheep excels with its exceptional lambing ease, superior wool quality, and remarkable cold hardiness, simplifying management and reducing |
| Leicester Longwool Sheep | 80.6% | The Leicester Longwool sheep simplifies lambing and pasture management with its exceptional lambing ease, robust foraging ability, and outstanding mothering instincts. Originating from England, these |
| Jacob Sheep | 78.9% | The Jacob sheep offers farmers an exceptionally hardy and independent breed, excelling in lambing ease and robust mothering abilities, requiring minimal intervention throughout the season. Originating |
| Ducks | ||
| Saxony Duck | 76.7% | The Saxony duck excels with exceptional cold hardiness, superior foraging prowess, and remarkable pest control abilities, simplifying management and reducing labor needs for farmers. Originating from |
| Silver Appleyard Duck | 69.4% | The Silver Appleyard duck simplifies management by thriving on diverse forage, exhibiting excellent cold hardiness, and excelling at pest control, making them a low-intervention livestock choice. Orig |
| Cayuga Duck | 65.0% | The Cayuga duck excels at pest control and thrives on diverse forage, simplifying management by reducing the need for supplemental feed and chemical interventions. Originating from the United States, |
| Rouen Ducks | 62.2% | Rouen ducks simplify management for farmers by thriving on diverse forage and exhibiting exceptional cold hardiness, requiring minimal intervention even in harsh climates. Originating from France, the |
| Pigs | ||
| Mangalitsa Pigs | 85.3% | Mangalitsa pigs excel at thriving on diverse forage and require minimal intervention, simplifying management for farmers seeking hardy, lard-type pork production. Originating from Hungary, these curl |
| Gloucestershire Old Spots | 95.3% | The Gloucestershire Old Spots breed simplifies management with its exceptional docility, outstanding mothering ability, and gentle foraging nature, making them a reliable choice for farmers. Originat |
| Hampshire Pigs | 73.3% | The Hampshire pig simplifies management through its remarkable hardiness and superior foraging ability, thriving on diverse pastures and requiring minimal intervention. Originating from Hampshire, Eng |
| Geese | ||
| Pilgrim Goose | 87.2% | The Pilgrim goose breed excels at simplifying flock management through its exceptional hardiness and superior grazing and foraging abilities, thriving on diverse pastures and requiring minimal interve |
| Embden Geese | 65.6% | Embden geese simplify management by thriving on diverse forage, excelling in cold tolerance, and requiring minimal intervention due to their robust hardiness. Originating from Germany, these large, al |
| Bison | ||
| American Bison (Commonly Referred To As Buffalo) | 78.8% | American Bison, often called buffalo, simplify management by offering unparalleled hardiness and exceptional foraging ability, thriving on diverse forages with minimal intervention. These North Ameri |
| Donkeys | ||
| Donkey | 80.4% | Donkeys offer farmers a remarkably hardy and heat-tolerant livestock option, thriving on minimal feed and demonstrating exceptional drought tolerance. Easily managed and requiring very little interve |
| Ponies | ||
| Ponies | 75.0% | Ponies offer farmers an exceptionally hardy and adaptable livestock option, simplifying management with their easy-keeping nature and remarkable longevity. These intelligent animals excel at thriving |
| Rabbits | ||
| Silver Fox Rabbit | 76.7% | The Silver Fox rabbit excels at simplifying pasture-based livestock operations, demonstrating exceptional docility, cold tolerance, and mothering ability while thriving on diverse forage. Originating |
| Reindeer | ||
| Reindeer | 73.8% | Reindeer excel in challenging environments, offering farmers unparalleled hardiness and exceptional cold tolerance, making them ideal for producers seeking low-input livestock. Their remarkable feed |
| Yaks | ||
| Yak | 73.8% | For farmers seeking exceptionally hardy and efficient livestock, the Yak presents a unique proposition, thriving in challenging environments with remarkable feed and browse efficiency. These animals, |
How Regenerative Scores Are Calculated
The regenerative score aggregates the trait dimensions shown in each breed's radar chart (excluding climate tolerance, which is already factored into zone suitability):
- Profit Potential (2× weight)
- Management Ease
- System Resilience
- Foraging Ability
- Additional traits vary by species
Aggregation: Each trait is scored 1.0-3.0 (Limited → Typical → Exceptional). The regenerative score = (sum of weighted trait scores ÷ maximum possible) × 100. Profit Potential and System Value receive 2× weight because economic viability and ecosystem contribution are critical for supporting the transition to regenerative practices.
Click through to any breed to see its radar chart and detailed explanations for each trait dimension.
Other Animals (2)
| Breed Name | Score* | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Border Collies | 90.0% | The Border Collie significantly simplifies livestock management through its unparalleled work drive, exceptional intelligence, and innate herding instinct. Developed in the border regions of Scotland |
| Australian Shepherds | 79.2% | Australian Shepherds simplify livestock management with their exceptional work drive, versatility, and remarkable trainability, making them ideal for farmers seeking an intelligent and adaptable herd |
How Regenerative Scores Are Calculated
The regenerative score aggregates the trait dimensions shown in each breed's radar chart (excluding climate tolerance, which is already factored into zone suitability):
- Profit Potential (2× weight)
- Management Ease
- System Resilience
- Foraging Ability
- Additional traits vary by species
Aggregation: Each trait is scored 1.0-3.0 (Limited → Typical → Exceptional). The regenerative score = (sum of weighted trait scores ÷ maximum possible) × 100. Profit Potential and System Value receive 2× weight because economic viability and ecosystem contribution are critical for supporting the transition to regenerative practices.
Click through to any breed to see its radar chart and detailed explanations for each trait dimension.