‘Scientists in Nairobi have discovered a new set of genetic markers in African cattle that signal beneficial characteristics, with a view to harnessing them for future generations.’—Nature Genetics Continue reading
Category Archives: Animal Breeding
Scottish gene-edited chickens produced to help stop bird flu
Reuters reported Sunday that this first batch of “transgenic” chicks is expected to hatch sometime in 2019 at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Continue reading
Selective breeding manuals reveal best practices for small ruminant productivity
Community platforms in rural Kenya serve as the backbone for catalyzing innovative livestock interventions Continue reading
Accelerating the development of agricultural value chains in Kenya—AVCD Conference Highlights
Twitter Moment highlights of the Accelerated Value Chain Development Conference at ILRI on 26–27 Apr 2018. Continue reading
‘INCUBATED WORLDS’: Highlights of a unique art+poultry facility launched in Addis Ababa
Twitter Moment highlights of ‘Incubated Worlds’, a unique art+poultry facility launched at ILRI’s campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 26 Apr 2018. Continue reading
Ethiopian native chickens are bred with Belgian ‘cosmopolitan chicken’ for greater prosperity in rural Ethiopian poverty
ILRI and Flemish conceptual artist Koen Vanmechelen joined forces last year to strengthen research into more resistant and productive poultry for Africa south of the Sahara. Today, the research center and associated poultry farm “Incubated Worlds” opens in the presence of Gebregziabher Gebreyohannes, state minister, ministry of agriculture and livestock. Vanmechelen wants to help improve the lives of local communities through this crossing project. Continue reading
Researchers join artist in quest to create the perfect chicken for Ethiopia’s farmers
Researchers in Ethiopia are embarking on a quest to create the perfect chicken for African farmers with an unlikely ally—a Belgian conceptual artist who has spent 20 years crossbreeding indigenous chickens, from China and Egypt to Senegal and Cuba. Continue reading
’If you care about agriculture, you care about livestock’—Bill Gates
According to Reuters, the Gates Foundation will pump $40m into research for higher-yielding dairy cows, as well as chickens that lay better quality eggs, livestock vaccines and ‘supercrops’ that can withstand droughts or disease. Continue reading
DFID/UKAid fund British, ILRI, African genetics research to advance African livestock development
During the visit Ms Mordaunt also announced plans to develop the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, which is based in both Edinburgh and Nairobi. The centre uses the most recent scientific advances in genetics and genomics that are being used by farmers in the UK and apply these to help smallholder dairy and poultry farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Continue reading
Jimmy Smith speaks in Australia on the pursuit of a ‘low-emissions cow’ and other livestock matters
‘Visiting Brisbane in November for the International Tropical Agriculture Conference for 2017, Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute Dr. Jimmy Smith discussed with Devex a range of new and exciting programs his organization is delivering to help create climate and disease resistant livestock for Africa.’ Continue reading