Britain faces a ‘perfect storm’ of water shortage and lack of food, says the government’s chief scientist, and climate change and crop and animal diseases will add to future woes. Science is now striving to find solutions. The farmers of tomorrow will not only have to improve yields using less fertiliser, they will also have … Continue reading
Category Archives: Countries
Africa / Agriculture / Ethiopia / Food Security / Livestock
Commercialisation of livestock agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities
For too long, the potential of the livestock sector in Africa has not received the attention it deserves. Policies and other institutions promoting livestock development have been weak or absent in most African countries. Commercialization has not been a focus and livestock production remained predominantly subsistence-oriented. Commercially oriented animal production systems are more likely to … Continue reading
Australia–Cloned cattle the way of the future
If you thought the cattle business had reached its technical zenith with artificial insemination and embryo transfer systems, then hold on to your hats, because long term, it’s going to get a whole lot more technical in the name of improving genetics, efficiencies and profitability. Late last month, a gathering of beef producers and industry … Continue reading
Key to Brazil’s deforestation may be in its cows, pastures
At an experimental government farm in the western Amazon’s Rondonia state, researchers analyze grass seeds under microscopes, shake soil samples in test tubes, and measure the milk production of a new breed of cows. While high-profile police raids targeting illegal ranchers and loggers in the Amazon grab more headlines, these scientists may produce a more … Continue reading
Africa / Biodiversity / East Africa / Ethiopia / GIS / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / Pastoralism
Pastoralists use maps and satellite images to depict land use in Ethiopia
A team of researchers combine maps, satellite images and participatory mapping techniques to develop an accurate picture of land use among pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Read more … (ICT Update) Continue reading
Africa / Biodiversity / GIS / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / Pastoralism / Southern Africa / Tanzania / Wildlife
GIS helps preserve livelihoods and conserve wildlife in Tanzania
Faced with difficult choices, a Maasai community in Tanzania was able to get an accurate picture of their land resources with the help of conservationists and GPS receivers. Read more … (ICT Update) Continue reading
Climate Change / Dairying / Livestock / UK
Livestock hold key to Copenhagen
Livestock production is one of the major causes of the world’s most pressing environmental problem – global warming. The United Nations estimates that livestock are responsible for 18 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, a bigger share even than transport. Monday, (December 7), world leaders from 192 nations will join 15,000 people from across the world … Continue reading
International centers and donors warily eye sweeping changes
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is facing what could be the biggest shakeup in its 38-year history as members meeting in Washington, D.C., on 7 and 8 December vote on far-reaching reforms. The delegates—representing donors, countries, international foundations, and development organizations—will likely vote to convert CGIAR from a voluntary association into a … Continue reading
Satellite insurance to pay farmers if land turns brown
Insurers will use satellite images of vegetation to assess Kenyan farmers’ claims for cattle deaths during drought. In a pilot project due to start in early 2010, the Kenya-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) will analyse freely-available satellite data to observe changes in vegetation in northern Kenya. The technology works by detecting changes in light … Continue reading
Livelihoods / Livestock / Netherlands / Pigs / Research
Scientists grow pork meat in a laboratory
SCIENTISTS have grown meat in the laboratory for the first time. Experts in Holland used cells from a live pig to replicate growth in a petri dish. The advent of so-called “in-vitro” or cultured meat could reduce the billions of tons of greenhouse gases emitted each year by farm animals — if people are willing … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 