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Badass Chinese sheep quickly evolved adaptations to extreme plateau and desert environments—New study

Originally posted on ILRI news:
Native Chinese sheep breeds, one of which is seen here grazing on the Tibetan Plateau, are serving as a climate change bellwether (photo credit: CRIENGLISH.com). To paraphrase Luigi Guarino in his new and lively Science Blog series for the Crop Trust, with food demand estimated to increase by anywhere from…

Livestock genetics and breeding – highlights from ILRI’s corporate report 2015–2016

Originally posted on ILRI news:
The adoption of new technologies that speed up genetic gains are leading to further improvements in livestock productivity. Ghibe valley, southwest Ethiopia (photo credit: ILRI/Stevie Mann) The experience of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partner geneticists in 2015–2016 clearly demonstrates the positive benefits to smallholder farmers of the…

Sustainable breeding strategies for Red Maasai sheep in Kenya

Although environmentally-adapted strains of livestock, are essential to smallholder farmers, there has been a decline in the populations of such breeds, such the ‘hardy’ Red Massai sheep. A recent poster by scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) emphasizes that through the implementation of various breeding strategies it may be possible to safeguard this drought- and disease-resistant sheep breed, helping increase food security and productivity across southern Kenya Continue reading →

Improved dairy cattle for enhanced livelihoods and food and nutritional security in Senegal

According to scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) the ‘adoption of more profitable dairy cattle breeds type’ by farmers is a stepping stone towards developing nutritional security in Senegal. Continue reading →

Invitation to join an online discussion on cattle genomics in Africa, 16-26 August 2016

The use of genomics in Africa is in early stages, and further discussions are required on where and how genomics can best contribute to broader livestock productivity goals. From 16-26 August 2016, ILRI and CTLGH will organize a virtual forum on cattle genomics in Africa to take this agenda forward. Continue reading →

African Dairy Genetic Gains Program: Innovative private-public partnership for sustainable dairy productivity in Ethiopia and Tanzania

Leveraging private and public partners is key to increased productivity in the dairy sector, according to a poster by scientist from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)-led project African Dairy Genetic Gains. Continue reading →

Improving the productivity of small ruminants in Kenya’s climate-smart villages

Community breeding program, alongside strong community capacity development on animal husbandry, health and marketing of products key for improving productivity of goats and sheep among farmers, study finds. Continue reading →

Indigenous farm genetic resources of Somalia: Preliminary characterization of cattle, sheep and goats

This study was conducted in 2008 as a collaborative project between the International Livestock Research Institute and Terra Nuova with the main objective of evaluating the Somali breeds of livestock both phenotypically and genetically. Continue reading →

Comparison of different poultry breeds under station and on-farm conditions in Ethiopia

A selective breeding program was implemented to improve the performance of indigenous chickens in Ethiopia. Improved chicken from the 7th generation were compared with commercial layer, crossbred and unselected indigenous chickens both on-station and on-farm. Continue reading →

Participatory definition of breeding objectives for sheep breeds under pastoral systems – Red Maasai and Dorper sheep in Kenya

The aim of this study was to investigate farmers’ trait preferences as a basis for determination of breeding objectives for Red Maasai and Dorper sheep at two sites, Amboseli and Isinya, in Kenya. Continue reading →

A strategic framework for transgenic research and product development in Africa

Since the first transgenic crop was released in in the world in 1994, cultivation of several varieties has grown rapidly to reach 175 million hectares, more than 10% of the world’s arable land, in 27 countries. Adoption and commercialization of transgenic products is growing by 3% per year in developed and developing countries. There is … Continue reading →

Chris Jones joins ILRI as program leader for feed and forages bioscience

Chris Jones joined the Feed and Forage Biosciences Program this week as program leader based in Addis Ababa. Continue reading →

ILRI’s Philip Toye VOA interview on East Coast fever, and the benefits of co-parasitic infections

Originally posted on ILRI Clippings:
ILRI-Wellcome projects have investigated the disease pathogens circulating in both people and animals in the communities outside the border town of Busia, Kenya, where smallholders mix crop growing with livestock raising (photo credit: ILRI/Pye-Smith). Voice of America’s Joe DeCapua interview Phil Toye, a scientist with the International Livestock Research Institute…

Forty years of immunology research at ILRI: An impact narrative

Over the years, cutting edge tools, technologies and approaches have been implemented to increase understanding of the bovine immune system and mechanisms of pathogen control. Despite limited funding, compared to human immunological research, ILRAD/ILRI have made tremendous progress in bovine immunological research which remains a research focus at ILRI. Continue reading →