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 →

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 →

The known and the unknowns: A multipathogen survey to identify diseases in cattle in Tanzania

Disease in livestock is one of the main factors contributing to limited productivity and incomes among cattle farmers in Tanzania. This poster, prepared for the Tropentag 2014 conference, presents findings from a survey conducted by ILRI among cattle farmers in Tanzania to confirm the presence of well-known cattle pathogens and to investigate the presence of cattle pathogens rarely looked for in the area before. Continue reading →

Filling the milk glass: East African farmers to gain from new recording device

‘Ng’ombe planner’ is designed to record milk production, fertility, calving, curative measures undertaken and general preventive treatment such as dipping or spraying. The tool will provide feedback to the farmer where necessary. Continue reading →

New study shows that waterbucks are an important source of tick-borne diseases of livestock

A recent study has found that wildlife are an important source of tick-borne diseases of livestock, with 70% of emerging pathogens originating from wildlife. The study found evidence of previously unknown parasite genotypes that may be infective to both small ruminants and equids (horses). Climate change could fuel the spread of such pathogens through the spread of their tick vector further impacting livestock production. Continue reading →

Analysing African Swine fever epidemiology on the Kenya-Uganda border

On 2-3 October 2013 the closing workshop of the BecA‐ILRI‐CSIRO‐AusAID project on Understanding African Swine fever (ASF) epidemiology as a basis for control was held in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants who included project staff and other invited guests of the workshop titled ‘Analysis of African Swine fever epidemiology and pig value chains to underpin design of … 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 →

Republic of Kenya Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) launched

The Kenyan ministries of livestock and development and public health and sanitation yesterday, 3 October 2012 officially launched the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) in Nairobi. ‘The ZDU is a One Health office in Kenya that was formed to address the gap that exists between animal and human health sectors in terms of prevention and control … Continue reading →

A Day in the Life of the PAZ Project: Fascioliasis in Western Kenya

‘A Day in the Life of the People, Animals and their Zoonoses (PAZ) Project’, is series of blog articles by several members of ILRI staff working on the PAZ project based in Busia. These staff members, share their first hand experiences, challenges, and highlights of the project, in this post George Omondi Acharry, a laboratory … Continue reading →

Scientists discuss current knowledge and research approaches that could lead to a next generation ECF vaccine

The next generation vaccine for East Coast fever (EFC), an important cattle disease was the discussion agenda in a 2.5 day workshop organized by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural-Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) on April 16-18. Stakeholders from Nairobi-ILRI, USA, UK, Belgium, … Continue reading →

A Day in the Life of the PAZ Project: Tapeworm [taeniasis] infestation in Busia

‘A Day in the Life of the People, Animals and their Zoonoses (PAZ) Project’, is series of blog articles by several members of ILRI staff working on the PAZ project based in Busia. These staff members, share their first hand experiences, challenges, and highlights of the project, in this post Lorren Alumasa, a clinical technician … Continue reading →