The world faces some interesting choices in the next few years. As illustrated by the ongoing Copenhagen negotiations, we have to decide whether and how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a wide range of sectors, from energy generation to transportation and beyond. The livestock industry faces particular uncertainty in this environment. According to various … Continue reading
Category Archives: Livestock
Asia / Cattle / Dairying / Environment / Livestock / Pastoralism / Vulnerability
Pastoralism unraveling in Mongolia
A pungent odor like turpentine wafts over the hillsides north of the Mongolian capital. It comes from the sharilj, a wild plant that has taken over the scalloped landscape, a telltale sign of overgrazing since the plant is inedible for sheep and goats. Sukhtseren Sharav has a herd of 150 goats and 100 sheep, and … 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
Livestock lead to better health in developing nations, rising consumption poses challenge
In the face of reports about the ills livestock generate for the climate, environment and health, a new study published in the December issue of the journal Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability emphasizes that livestock production in developing and developed countries are very different animals. While rising consumption of meat, milk and eggs is one … Continue reading
Livestock in developing and developed countries are very different animals, says ILRI scientist
Philip Thornton, Senior Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute comments on the links between livestock and climate change: Continue reading
Africa / CGIAR / Climate Change / East Africa / Environment / Food Security / ILRI / Livestock / Research
Climate, food and developing country livestock farmers
Livestock researchers believe that rather than rid the world of livestock it’s preferable to find ways to farm animals more efficiently, profitably and sustainably, according to a new short film (see link below) prepared by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on livestock and climate change. Watch video. . . (Climate, Food and Developing Country … Continue reading
Farmers face growing climate change dilemma: Scientist
Farmers of the future will have to use cattle and sheep that belch less methane, crops that emit far less planet-warming nitrous oxide and become experts in reporting their greenhouse gas emissions to the government. Green Business Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gases and globally that share will rise as demand for food … Continue reading
Innovation capacity and the elusive livestock revolution
In the October 2009 issue of LINK LOOK, Jeroen Dijkman looks at the track record of 10 years of ‘revolution’ in the livestock sector. Experience seems to suggest that only few countries have managed to use these sector dynamics effectively for poverty reduction and economic growth. Not surprisingly, those who have been able to respond … Continue reading
Climate-conscious ranching: Is free-range really better than feedlots?
The issue of the livestock-climate connection has catalyzed a debate not only about whether and to what extent we should consume animal protein like meat and dairy, but what kind of system of livestock production is more sustainable from a greenhouse gas perspective if and when we do choose to continue consuming it. For the … 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
ILRI Clippings 