Important sources of meat, milk, traction and manure across Africa, cattle will become even more significant as demand for meat and milk is expected to more than double in sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2030. Continue reading
Category Archives: LiveGene
Livestock Genetics program
Art underlines the precious value of poultry genetic research
‘The Incubated Worlds art exhibition clearly communicates the importance of poultry production, genetic diversity and the interdependence of communities worldwide. The facility will be more than a place of research, but also of learning and innovation for farmers, poultry businesses, associations, cooperatives and communities’, said Siboniso Moyo, the ILRI director general’s representative in Ethiopia. Continue reading
Art and science bring poultry genetics to life in Ethiopia while celebrating local diversity in all its forms
Art and science unite to serve Ethiopian farmers—’Incubated Worlds’ explores genetic diversity of poultry to boost nutrition and incomes. Continue reading
New advanced poultry facility combines art and science to boost nutrition and incomes in Ethiopia
On 26 April 2018, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partner scientists and government officials join forces with Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen to launch the research facility and art installation, Incubated Worlds, a unique combination of art and science that aims to improve nutrition and incomes in East Africa with disease-resistant, climate-resilient poultry. Continue reading
DFID/UKAid provides £4 million for genetics and health research to aid sustainable livestock production in Africa
Research to improve the health and productivity of farmed animals in tropical climates has received a £4 million boost from the UK Government. The investment from DFID was announced by the Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt, during a visit to the University of Edinburgh. It will support research in the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health—a joint venture between the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, SRUC, ILRI, the latter of which has major research facilities in Kenya and Ethiopia. Continue reading
Livestock genetics and breeding – highlights from ILRI’s corporate report 2015–2016
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 application of new breeding and genomic approaches, leading to more productive and climate- and disease resilient livestock. However, it is when these new technologies are combined with improved management practices that they are translated into enhanced food security and higher incomes for smallholder farmers. These are the findings from the genetics research and interventions, presented in the ILRI Corporate report 2015–2016 highlights on Livestock genetics and breeding. Continue reading
A first look at ILRI’s new research programs: Livestock Genetics
A first look at a revamped ILRI research program: Livestock Genetics Continue reading
Cloned bull could contribute to development of disease-resistant African cattle
A note in a scientific journal gives an update on long-term research to develop African cattle resistant to the Africa animal disease known as trypanosomiasis. The aim of this research is to help reduce widespread poverty and hunger on the continent by improving livestock livelihoods. Continue reading
Badass Chinese sheep quickly evolved adaptations to extreme plateau and desert environments—New study
A new study offers novel insights into rapid genomic adaptations to extreme environments in sheep and other animals and provides a valuable resource for future research on livestock breeding in response to climate change. Continue reading
‘Zoonotic’ diseases take the spotlight of UN environmental talks this week and next in Nairobi, Kenya
Diseases transmitted between animals and people—which cause 60% of all human infectious diseases—are a ‘frontier issue’ at the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA2), being held this week and next at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in Nairobi, Kenya. Continue reading