‘Genomic time travel’ for better African cattle—New paper describes a ‘rich mosaic of traits’ and an ‘evolutionary jolt’
Africa / Animal Breeding / Biodiversity / Breeds / Cattle / Genetics / ILRI / Indigenous Breeds / Interview / LiveGene / LIVESTOCKCRP / News clipping / Pro-Poor Livestock / Resilience / Science paper

‘Genomic time travel’ for better African cattle—New paper describes a ‘rich mosaic of traits’ and an ‘evolutionary jolt’

‘Scientists in Nairobi have discovered a new set of genetic markers in African cattle that signal beneficial characteristics, with a view to harnessing them for future generations.’—Nature Genetics Continue reading

Belching bovines and global warming: Overstated claims about methane emitted by cows and climate change
Cattle / Climate Change / Environment / GHG emissions / Interview / News clipping

Belching bovines and global warming: Overstated claims about methane emitted by cows and climate change

A recent interview by Caroline Stocks, a UK journalist who writes about food, agriculture and the environment, of air quality expert Frank Mitloehner, a professor of animal science at the University of California at Davis, calls into question how responsible cows are for climate change. Continue reading

The seven deadly drivers of zoonotic disease pandemics
Agri-Health / AHH / Climate Change / COVID19 / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Environment / Epidemiology / Film and video / Human Health / ILRI / Interview / News clipping / OneHealth / Zoonotic Diseases

The seven deadly drivers of zoonotic disease pandemics

A report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and ILRI last month makes the case for focusing on the causes of pandemics instead of treating the diseases as they emerge, an argument echoed by many in the field. Continue reading

Are COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases a message from Mother Nature? —Leading Vietnamese media outlet interviews two of Vietnam’s Ecohealth experts
AHH / Animal Diseases / COVID19 / Environment / Human Health / Interview / Research / Southeast Asia / Vietnam / Zoonotic Diseases

Are COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases a message from Mother Nature? —Leading Vietnamese media outlet interviews two of Vietnam’s Ecohealth experts

VTV1, the leading Vietnamese state-run media outlet, interviewed Hung Nguyen, regional representative for East and Southeast Asia and senior scientist at ILRI, and Tuyet Hanh Tran, associate professor at the Hanoi University of Public Health (HUPH) on the connections between ecosystem disruptions and infectious human diseases. Continue reading

Purvi Mehta on Indian agriculture and nutrition—Addressing agricultural disconnects and food disparities
Consumption / Event report / Food Security / Gender / ILRI / ILRIComms / Interview / Nutrition / Thailand / Women

Purvi Mehta on Indian agriculture and nutrition—Addressing agricultural disconnects and food disparities

Purvi Mehta is speaking today at a global conference on Accelerating the End of Hunger and Malnutrition, which is being held in Bangkok and is organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). A former leader of capacity development at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), which is supporting this conference, Mehta now heads agriculture for Asia at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Continue reading

Dairy: A tool to fight poverty—An interview with IFCN’s Torsten Hemme
Advocacy / Buffalo / Camels / Cattle / Climate Change / Dairying / Goats / Interview / Livelihoods / News clipping / Poverty / Pro-Poor Livestock

Dairy: A tool to fight poverty—An interview with IFCN’s Torsten Hemme

Having scanned the scientific literature (100 journal articles) on the impact of milk production on reducing poverty, Torsten Hemme, managing director of the IFCN (International Farm Comparison Network) Dairy Research Center, in Kiel, Germany, says that dairy is improving lives in multiple ways. Continue reading

Could animals help solve the world’s ‘calorie’ as well as ‘hidden’ hunger?—ILRI’s Delia Grace on World Food Day
Advocacy / Agri-Health / AHH / Food Security / Human Health / ILRI / Interview / Nutrition / Policy

Could animals help solve the world’s ‘calorie’ as well as ‘hidden’ hunger?—ILRI’s Delia Grace on World Food Day

The interview below, Could animal-sourced protein really solve the world’s hunger crisis?, of veterinary epidemiologist and food safety expert Delia Grace, of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), was originally published in the Oct 2017 ‘Food and Nutrition Security’ issue of the monthly newsletter for Health for Animals. Both display quote graphics are by Health for Animals. Continue reading

On the two central, and under-resourced, assets of the developing world: Women and livestock
Africa / Directorate / Event report / Gender / ILRI / ILRIComms / Interview / Policy / Pro-Poor Livestock / Women

On the two central, and under-resourced, assets of the developing world: Women and livestock

An interesting discussion took place at a news conference that followed the policy session on Thursday morning (11 May 2017), the fourth of this five-day Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Meeting of the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock. A member of the audience asked the following question of the distinguished panel members, who included ministerial rank leaders of livestock development agenda in several African countries. Continue reading

Jimmy Smith in Australia makes the case for greater investments in pro-poor livestock development
Africa / Australia / Directorate / Food Security / ILRI / Interview / Opinion piece / Policy / Pro-Poor Livestock / Research / South Asia / Southeast Asia / Vietnam

Jimmy Smith in Australia makes the case for greater investments in pro-poor livestock development

The livestock sector plays a significant role in development, but Dr. Jimmy Smith, director general of the International Livestock Research Institute, says this is not reflected in official development assistance—which contributes less than 0.25 percent to livestock.

Jimmy Smith visited Australia between April 3 and April 7, as the last leg of a global trip. In each country, he pushed for greater ODA toward livestock sectors in the developing world. During his stay, Smith discussed his thoughts with Devex. Continue reading