Africa / ILRI / Livestock

Experts warn rapid losses of Africa’s native livestock threaten continent’s food supply

Resilient disease-resistant, ‘ancient’ West African cattle among breeds at risk of extinction as imported animals supplant valuable native livestock Urgent action is needed to stop the rapid and alarming loss of genetic diversity of African livestock that provide food and income to 70 percent of rural Africans and include a treasure-trove of drought- and disease-resistant … Continue reading

Animal Health / Animal Production / Asia / China / Environment / Livestock

World Bank supports Henan Ecological Livestock Project in China

The objective of the Henan Ecological Livestock Project for China is to improve environmental health management practices on the targeted livestock farms in the Yellow River Belt in Henan province. There are three components to the project. The first component of the project is institutional strengthening, training and technical support. Improving the technical understanding and … Continue reading

Animal Diseases / Disease Control / Knowledge and Information / Livestock

Molecular diagnostic methods help identify disease in livestock

Scientists have developed technology that can be carried to the field in a laptop suitcase to diagnose diseases in animals on the spot. The joint division of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are using molecular diagnostic methods,  once only available in laboratories.  Dr. Hermann Unger, Technical Officer … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Health / Animal Production / Livestock / Southern Africa

Zambia formulates livestock development and animal health project

The proposed project will support the government in improving the productivity of key production systems, namely meat and milk from cattle and small ruminants, and poultry sector. It will specifically strengthen the veterinary services (public and private) to better control major animal diseases and improve food safety. It will also tackle other identified constraints by … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Production / Fish / Ghana / Livestock / West Africa

Tapping local ingenuity to raise fish and livestock

Fishers and livestock keepers in Ghana face numerous challenges. For fishers, a good harvest can mean abundant fish but low prices. And the country’s small-scale chicken farmers often lose their flocks to disease. But in Cape Coast, the capital of the Central Region, two farmers’ groups are helping members find innovative ways to add value … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Diseases / Disease Control / East Africa / Livestock / Uganda / Vaccines

Uganda to manufacture poultry and animal drugs

Kampala — Uganda is set to start manufacturing poultry and animal drugs. This was announced at the commissioning of the construction of the veterinary pharmaceutical plant in Namanve last Thursday. The plant, which is estimated to cost $15m (about sh600m) will be carried out in three phases. Dr. Stephen Birungi, the managing director Farm Support … Continue reading

Africa / Animal Diseases / Disease Control / East Africa / Kenya / Livestock / Vaccines

Kenya government to strengthen livestock vaccine production

The Government’s quest to tap into the multi-million livestock disease vaccine market has moved a notch higher following the inauguration of a new board of directors to steer the Kenya veterinary vaccines production unit-(Kevevapi). Read more … (The Standard) Continue reading

Animal Breeding / Biodiversity / Cattle / Genetics / Indigenous Breeds / Livestock

Breeding ancient cattle back from extinction

The only place to see an aurochs in nature these days? A cave painting. The enormous wild cattle that once roamed the European plains have been extinct since 1627, when the last survivor died in a Polish nature reserve. But this could soon change thanks to the work of European preservationists who are hoping they … Continue reading

Animal Feeding / Animal Products / Asia / Dairying / Fodder / Livestock / Markets / South Asia

What price Indian milk? Fodder markets in India

First pulses, now milk. The common household is compelled to give up on its easy sources of protein. In this issue of ‘Down to Earth’, Ravleen Kaur found that rise in fodder prices, not rise in demand, is pushing up the cost of milk in India. Why is the fodder so expensive? According to Kaul: … Continue reading