Agriculture / Climate Change / East Africa / Farming Systems / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock / Research

Preying on small uneducated farmers

A new study by the International Livestock Research Institute has found that reductions in greenhouse gases could be worth $1 billion dollars to poor livestock farmers if they could sell saved carbon on international markets. Greenhouse gas emissions caused by livestock operations in tropical countries — a major contributor to climate change — could be … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Feeding / Animal Production / Asia / Climate Change / ILRI / Latin America

Climate change? Blame it on production practices, not just cows

Environmentalists say cows’ methane-filled flatulence and burps are partly responsible for the changes in the earth’s climate. But a new study from the Kenya-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) suggests that we can curb cattle-generated greenhouse gas emissions by improving degraded lands, making breeds stronger and changing the animals’ diets. The study’s findings are published … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Feeding / Asia / Climate Change / ILRI / Latin America

Changes to cow diet combats climate change

Climate change may be combated by changing the diet of livestock, whose farting and manure, along with the feed crops produced, contribute to 18 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), which conducted the study, said as the growing global demand for meat and … Continue reading

Africa / Climate Change / Environment

Africa may survive climate change better than expected

Adaptation to climate change could be easier for African nations because of rapid changes – particularly urbanization – happening across the continent. The fierce debate over the extent of climate change should not obscure the severe differences of opinion over how much adaptive skills of humans will influence the adverse effects of climate change. Especially … Continue reading

Africa / Agriculture / Asia / CCAFS / Climate Change / Dairying / Environment / Food Security / ILRI / Latin America / Livestock

Tropical farming the climate-friendly way

Changing tropical farming methods could cut emissions of methane and carbon dioxide by up to 417 Mt of carbon dioxide-equivalent by 2030, around 12% of livestock-related worldwide emissions of the greenhouse gases. That’s according to a team from Copenhagen and Kenya, who believe that the most likely levels of emissions cuts could be worth $1.3 … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Breeding / Animal Feeding / Asia / Climate Change / ILRI / Latin America / Livestock

Greener pastures and better breeds could reduce carbon ‘hoofprint’

A new study by the International Livestock Research Institute finds reductions in greenhouse gases could be worth $1 billion dollars to poor livestock farmers if they could sell saved carbon on international markets Greenhouse gas emissions caused by livestock operations in tropical countries—a major contributor to climate change—could be cut significantly by changing diets and … Continue reading

Animal Diseases / Cattle

Could self-vaccinating cattle cut disease?

[KUALA LUMPUR] Scientists are testing a vaccine that spreads by itself as a solution to a highly infectious buffalo and cattle disease that costs millions of dollars a year. But experts have raised questions about the safety of using such an approach. Haemorrhagic septicaemia is hard to vaccinate against where livestock roam freely, because animals … Continue reading

Africa / Agriculture / Brazil / Cattle / Environment / Food Security / Latin America / Livestock / North America / NRM / Research / Soils / Water / WLE

The miracle of the cerrado

Brazil has revolutionized its own farms. Can it do the same for others? IN A remote corner of Bahia state, in north-eastern Brazil, a vast new farm is springing out of the dry bush. Thirty years ago eucalyptus and pine were planted in this part of the cerrado (Brazil’s savannah). Native shrubs later reclaimed some … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Production / Climate Change / ILRI / Livestock Systems

Agriculture in Africa is changing rapidly

WINDHOEK – “Agriculture in Africa is changing rapidly,” says Mario Herrero, a researcher working in Nairobi, Kenya for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Herrero was addressing participants in a session on livestock in a changing climate in Windhoek, Namibia, at the annual regional dialogue on food security. Herrero and his colleagues use scenario analysis … Continue reading