Earlier this week, the annual Conference on Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural and Natural Resource Management (TROPENTAG) was held in Zurich. Check out blog postings on animal science; view abstracts of the presentations and posters on animal breeding, husbandry and health, forages and feeding systems, and animal nutrition and supplementation … Continue reading
Category Archives: Animal Feeding
It’s not the livestock–it’s the farming model–that needs changing
A cow in India eats the wastes of crop production after the grain has been harvested (photo by ILRI / Mann). In a new book, Meat: A Benign Extravagance, Simon Fairlie shows we should not be arguing against all meat eating, but against the current farming model. Fairlie, says Guardian writer George Monbiot, ‘demonstrates that … 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 / 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
Agriculture / Animal Breeding / Animal Feeding / Climate Change / East Africa / ILRI / Namibia / Southern Africa
Climate change will have a great impact on Southern African livestock
Cattle herd walks home along dry riverbed in Tete Province, Mozambique (photo: ILRI/Mann) ‘A researcher at the International Livestock Research Institute says climate change will have a great impact on Southern African livestock and coastal systems in future. ‘Mario Herrero says by 2050, [some] of Africa will have to revert to livestock farming from crop … Continue reading
Pakistan’s national livestock herds imperiled by flooding
Happy Herding, a picture taken by Benny Lin in Pakistan on 18 January 2010, a half year before the great floods came. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says there is urgent need for animal feed in Pakistan to prevent further economic destruction in the aftermath of the disastrous flooding. ‘Millions … Continue reading
Animal Feeding / Asia / Dairying / Fodder / India / Livestock / South Asia
India: Right to food, right to fodder?
The Right to Food Act, when it is implemented, may not ensure that people get a proper meal every day. For even if it manages to provide subsidised grain, dairy farmers would still find it hard to keep themselves and their cattle alive. A milch animal is often the only source of income in a … Continue reading
Oman: Animal feed from farm waste a reality
The Ministry of Agriculture has had good results with its animal feed manufacturing from farm residue and has now launched a programme for educating farmers and livestock breeders on the use of this waste material and how it can be used in fodder production. In comments to the Observer, Shaikh Salim bin Hilal al Khalili, … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Feeding / East Africa / Forages / ILRI / Livestock / Uganda
Scientists improving pasture content
Better days are dawning for farmers faced with problems of pasture for their livestock, now that scientists majoring in crop production research are improving on the nutritional content of pasture here. The scientists from the National Crop Resources Research Institute at Namulonge Department of Forage Research Programme are currently conducting research on various types of … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 