1. ILRI’s Livestock Genetics Program - LiveGene
Visit to ILRI by Heifer International
30 January 2018
Karen Marshall, ILRI
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2. LiveGene
Delivering improved genetics to the world’s small-scale livestock keepers
Working with partners

3. LiveGene Objectives
Determine the most appropriate genetic improvement strategies for different livestock production systems.
Design and support implementation of sound breeding programs and delivery of the desired genetics
Discover the genes responsible for better productivity and resilience and use this information in breeding programs
Support the development of policies and institutional arrangements that would enable improved access to, and sustainable use of, livestock genetic resources.

4. Project highlight – Senegal Dairy Genetics
Various government initiatives to increased dairy productivity through improved genetics - but questions on which breed to promote
Project aimed to identify and promote utilization of the most appropriate breed / cross-breed type
Partnered with 220 dairy keeping households, with cattle, over an almost 2 year period to obtain data
Collaboration with Heifer International Senegal on domestic biogas training (146 female and 366 male farmers)

5. Project highlight – Senegal Dairy Genetics
8.0 x household profit
7.5 x milk production
2.4 x household profit
3.2 x milk production
Breed
Management level

6. Project highlight – Senegal Dairy Genetics
Breed
Management level (*)
Zebu * **
Zebu x Guzerat
Zebu x Bos Taurus
***
High Bos Taurus
****
Breed preference –
male / female famers
+/+
+++/+++
++/+
Productivity -
liters milk / annum
175
568
223
640
508
1,315
1,422
Profitability -
CFA / annum/cow
60,235
142,041
65,384
186,670
236,028
479,525
407,441
Environmental sustainability -GHG EI, kg CO2eq/kg protein
338
190
307
165
188
110
108
Food quality -
milk protein/fat
For milk protein – no difference between breed-types
For milk fat – variation between breed-types, but changing trend on parity
Food safety -
aflatoxin levels in feed
Low
Medium
High
Very high
Equality -
gendered impacts
Women control income from milk sale in a majority of households
Women control income from milk sale in fewer households