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 →

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 →

Study evidences continual waning of cattle genetic diversity in Western Kenya: Interview with Mary Ndila

For the last four years, Mary Ndila has been studying the population structure of indigenous cattle for her PhD project titled, ‘Genomics diversity of East African Shorthorn Zebu cattle of Western Kenya’, a joint program between ILRI and the University of Nottingham and funded by Wellcome Trust. In this article we find out whether breed … Continue reading →

Enhancing the richness of indigenous information: From global DAGRIs to country DAGRIS

DAGRIS (http://dagris.ilri.cgiar.org) Domestic Animal Genetic Resources Information System, a web-based electronic source of information on selected indigenous farm animal genetic resources (breeds/ecotypes of cattle, sheep, goats, chicken, pigs, buffalo and yak) with options to extend it further to cover camels, geese, turkey and ducks is moving to a new front and stature. This web-based electronic … 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 →

Genetics of adaptation in domestic farm animals: A review – Highlighting our Publications

Ranked 11th of the 25 most downloaded article of livestock science between January to December 2011 is the article ‘Genetics of adaptation in domestic farm animals: A review‘. ‘This review summarizes available information on genetics of adaptation in major livestock species focusing on small ruminants. Adaptation to humans and consequences of domestication on predator aversion, … Continue reading →

Senegal dairy genetics – new project at ILRI

A new project titled, Senegal Dairy Genetics on peri-urban dairy systems in Senegal under the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – Biotech, Improving utilization of farm animal genetics resources (BT03) group, that works on identifying appropriate genotypes, breeds & breed combination and finding the best options for multiplication and delivery in different production systems commenced … Continue reading →

AWARD Fellow, Sheila Ommeh participates at the International Women’s Day briefing event for British Parliamentary Group in London

Sheila Ommeh, ILRI scientist with Olivier Hanotte, former ILRI scientist and her PhD supervisor at the meeting with British parliamentarians on March 7 (photo credit: AWARD/Karen Homer) ‘On the eve of International Women’s Day and against the backdrop of deepening food crises across sub-Saharan Africa, two leading African women agricultural scientists joined U.K. experts at … Continue reading →

Animal Genetics Training Resource (AGTR) version 3 Officially Released!

Yesterday afternoon the new fully Web-enabled platform Animal Genetics Training Resource (AGTR) (http://agtr.ilri.cgiar.org) was launched at the LiveSTOCK Exchange event which took stock of ILRI’s research over the last ten years at the ILRI Addis Ababa, Ethiopia campus, the event was held on 9-10 November. While launching the new resource, Julie Ojango said that this … Continue reading →

Sustainable breeding strategies for ruminants in Eastern and Southern Africa: Farmer workshop

The sustainable breeding strategies for ruminants in Eastern and Southern Africa project carried out by the Biotech’s BT03 (improving the utilization of farm animal genetic resources) team at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Nairobi in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) held an enlightening and successful farmer’s workshop on October 12 … Continue reading →