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 →

Introduction to ngombe-watch cow monitoring system

In the research of animal health and productivity, there is need to monitor the movement, temperature and restlessness of animals. We do believe that the well being of an animal can be inferred from its movement and restlessness. While it is hard to know the well being of an animal without collecting samples conducting biological … Continue reading →

ILRI GEF-Asia project participates in two global biodiversity events in India and Pakistan

On 15th October, the ILRI Global Environment Fund (GEF)-Asia project ‘Development and application of decision-support tools to conserve and sustainably use genetic diversity in indigenous livestock and wild relatives’ will participate at a side event during the Convention on Biological Diversity eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CBD COP11). The side event on, … Continue reading →