Livestock genetics and breeding

Rege, J.E.O., Ochieng, J. and Hanotte, O.H. 2020. Livestock genetics and breeding. IN: McIntire, J. and Grace, D. (eds.). The impact of the International Livestock Research Institute. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI and Wallingford, UK: CABI: 59-102

This chapter describes the contributions of the International Livestock Research Institute's (ILRI) to animal breeding. The specific topics include the genetic characterization and history of livestock, breeding technologies, genetic improvement of indigenous livestock, tools and methods for conducting breed surveys, classification of African livestock populations, molecular genetic characterization, the genetic history of cattle in Africa and linking livestock to human history, genetic history and geography of African sheep, genetic history and geography of African chickens, genetic history and geography of the African dromedary, establishment of a joint laboratory with CAAS in Beijing and expansion into Asia, ILRI's genetic characterization as a catalyst for international interest, genetics of trypanotolerance and genetics of resistance to gastrointestinal parasites.