The objective of this paper is to examine whether or not sheep crossbreeding is a feasible option to improve indigenous sheep breeds in developing countries using Ethiopian case as example. Continue reading
Category Archives: Animal Breeding
Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis as low-tech tool to enhance small ruminant production
Productivity and profitability of meat and milk production from small ruminants are geared by reproductive performance. Females that fail to reproduce are only negatively impacting the environment. A major setback here is infertility but other reproductive-related problems are also important. A whole generation of easy-use, high resolution, portable ultrasound machines is now available to provide different levels of information which will translate into concrete management strategies. Continue reading
Expert group plans small ruminant genetics and breeding to the next level in Ethiopia
On 17-18 December 2015, a group of about 25 people gathered in Debre Birhan, Ethiopia, to devise the next steps for small ruminants breeding. This group comprised most of the country’s experts in sheep and goat breeding, from across the country. Continue reading
Discussing cattle breeding priorities with Nicaraguan dual purpose cattle farmers
As part of the “More milk and meat through better breeds” project, seeking to increase the productivity of dual-purpose cattle in Nicaragua through the use of appropriate breed types and the application of best husbandry practices, the Livestock and Fish team held focus group discussions in the action sites of Matiguas and Camoapa (Nicaragua). The … Continue reading
Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia review successes and challenges in sheep fattening
Selected participant farmers drawn from community-based breeding programs in Doyogena, Horro, Menz and Bonga sites are gearing up to undertake phase 2 of their sheep fattening project that runs from 15 January to 15 April 2016. Continue reading
Fish genetics in the Livestock and Fish program: Year in review
This blog post explains how WorldFish and its partners are supporting small-scale farmers to produce better strains of fish and get a greater return on their investment. Continue reading
Sheep breeding work in Ethiopia recognized by government
Earlier this year, the Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Centre was awarded a gold medal for outstanding research on Menz sheep breeding from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. Continue reading
Improving efficiency and increasing employment in Egypt’s aquaculture sector
The Improving Employment and Income through Development of Egypt’s Aquaculture Sector (IEIDEAS) project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development (SDC), has helped to strengthen the aquaculture sector by improving the profitability of fish farms and securing employment for a range of value chain actors, including women fish retailers. Continue reading
New Livestock and Fish project focuses on chickens in Africa
This week, chick geneticists and researchers are meeting in Addis Ababa to set out plans and deliverables for the African Chicken Genetic Gains project. Continue reading
Livestock and Fish breeding better farm animals and fish for developing countries
Last month, animal geneticists and breeders discussed ways forward for livestock and fish breeding in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America in an Animal Genetics flagship of the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish, which held a virtual review and planning meeting 23–26 March 2015. Continue reading