How many times in the past years have you heard just how terrible livestock is to the Earth? Polluting the atmosphere, overgrazing the grasslands, and destroying ecosystems with their vast presence. But emerging voices are arguing this long standing belief that livestock are the bane of the worlds environmental problems, and instead reminding us that … Continue reading
Category Archives: Livestock Systems
Carbon-Friendly beef? Look to Africa, experts say
Studies in Africa reveal that raising livestock through pastoralism is ‘far more’ ecological than crop production Read more … (Solve Climate Blog) Continue reading
Livestock and poultry environmental learning center launched
This network is meant to be a learning community–a place where those that influence environmental decisions in animal agriculture can connect, share experiences, and collaborate. Read more … (LPELC) Continue reading
SANBio livestock production network node
Through research, development and innovation, SANBio’s Livestock Production Network Node aims to improve livestock production and productivity by reducing the negative impact of vector borne diseases for enhancement of livelihoods and poverty reduction in at least five participating countries within the Southern African NEPAD Region. The Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio) is an intergovernmental … Continue reading
Rangeland management must listen to locals
South Africa must build bottom-up needs-based policies for communal livestock grazing. ‘Nothing about us without us!’ It’s a popular slogan in development work and one that agricultural policymakers should embrace to ensure their decisions address rural communities’ needs. Recent experience with communal cattle keeping in South Africa is again providing valuable lessons on why and … Continue reading
Africa / Drought / East Africa / Environment / Kenya / Livestock Systems / Pastoralism
Maasai pastoralists adopt new habits to cope with climate change
As they recover from the worst drought in many years, Maasai pastoralists in Kenya’s south Rift Valley are adopting new habits to help them overcome future disasters. As the recent drought tested the coping ability of Maasai communities, the leaders of “group ranches” – large communal grazing areas, each with their own government-appointed chief – … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Production / Biodiversity / East Africa / Indigenous Breeds / Livestock Systems / Pastoralism
Using livestock to rebuild and preserve communities
For pastoralist communities like the well-known Maasai in Kenya, livestock keeping is more than just an important source of food and income; it’s a way of life that has been a part of their culture and traditions for hundreds of years. But, in the face of drought, loss of traditional grazing grounds, and pressure from … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Production / Animal Products / Cattle / Dairying / Ethiopia / ILRI / IPMS / Livestock Systems / Markets
Cattle milk and meat production and marketing systems and opportunities for market-orientation in Fogera woreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia
This working paper by Belete Anteneh, Azage Tegegne, Fekadu Beyene and Berhanu Gebremedhin on Cattle milk and meat production and marketing systems and opportunities for market-orientation in Fogera woreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia was released on 26 May, 2010 This study was conducted in Fogera woreda, South Gondar Zone of the Amhara National Regional State in … Continue reading
Africa / Capacity Strengthening / CapDev / ILRI / Livestock / Livestock Systems / Research
Post-graduate fellowships for African scientists at ILRI
With generous funding support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), ILRI is offering five Ph.D scholarships for livestock researchers from sub-Saharan African countries. ILRI invites applicants from young African scientists, based at the research and learning institution. The priority research themes are: Climate change, impacts and adaptation Livestock, environment and sustainability Emerging diseases, impacts … Continue reading
Africa / Climate Change / Drought / East Africa / ILRI / Insurance / Kenya / Livestock Systems / Markets
What do NASA, insurance giants and Kenya have in common?
Cows. (No, really.) Kenya’s International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) recently cracked the code on a formula that could change cattle-herders’ lives — or at least line their pockets. The single biggest risk cattlemen in Kenya’s dry north face is drought. If seasonal rains fail, grasses don’t grow. And if nothing green grows, the hundreds of … Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 