Jimmy Smith speaks in Australia on the pursuit of a ‘low-emissions cow’ and other livestock matters
Animal Breeding / Australia / Directorate / ECF / Genetics / ILRI / News clipping / Pro-Poor Livestock / Research

Jimmy Smith speaks in Australia on the pursuit of a ‘low-emissions cow’ and other livestock matters

‘Visiting Brisbane in November for the International Tropical Agriculture Conference for 2017, Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute Dr. Jimmy Smith discussed with Devex a range of new and exciting programs his organization is delivering to help create climate and disease resistant livestock for Africa.’ Continue reading

While some animal-transmitted diseases of the poor are declining, other, mostly foodborne, diseases are on the rise
A4NH / Advocacy / Agri-Health / AHH / Animal Health / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Food Safety / FSZ / ILRI / News clipping / Policy / Pro-Poor Livestock / RVF / Zoonotic Diseases

While some animal-transmitted diseases of the poor are declining, other, mostly foodborne, diseases are on the rise

A new category of infectious diseases is thriving. Amid mostly stabilizing population growth, declining poverty, rising urbanization and emerging economic wealth, other zoonotic, largely foodborne diseases are emerging more quickly, keeping pace with human progress. . . . “While we’re getting rid of conditions that bring about some diseases, we’re also creating the conditions to give rise to new diseases or make other diseases worse,” [ILRI’s Delia Grace] said. Continue reading

In pursuit of low-emissions cows—ILRI’s Jimmy Smith and John Goopy on transforming ‘idling’ cows to climate-smart animals ‘zooming down the highway’
Advocacy / Animal Breeding / Cattle / Dairying / ILRI / News clipping / Sheep / SLS

In pursuit of low-emissions cows—ILRI’s Jimmy Smith and John Goopy on transforming ‘idling’ cows to climate-smart animals ‘zooming down the highway’

Researchers are on the hunt for a cow that produces less methane, one of the major contributors to climate change. If and when those green genes can be easily isolated, they could be spread throughout global cattle populations. 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

The rise of ‘superbugs’ presents a nightmare scenario—the beginning of the end of modern medicine
Agri-Health / AMR / Article / Disease Control / Human Health / Policy

The rise of ‘superbugs’ presents a nightmare scenario—the beginning of the end of modern medicine

Lethal bacteria are showing resistance to more and more antibiotics, and financial and legal hurdles are making it harder than ever for science to create effective new drugs. . . . The arsenal of antibiotics is nearly empty. And significant financial and legal hurdles are getting in the way of the already challenging process of discovering effective new ones. Continue reading