The new open-access reference guide emphasizes that breeding objectives must reflect farmer priorities and production realities. Local breeds are critical for climate adaptation and resilience in small-scale and low-input production systems, but many are at risk of extinction due to indiscriminate crossbreeding with exotic breeds.
A promising African swine fever vaccine candidate offers strong protection against one strain but fails to protect against others. The study highlights the need for region-specific vaccines and calls for further research into matching vaccines to virus types.
A new reverse genetics system for African swine fever virus (ASFV) has been developed, enabling rapid vaccine development and research into the virus's biology. This technology can be adapted for other viruses, including lumpy skin disease, Zika, chikungunya, and Ebola viruses.
The African Animal Breeding Network can play a key role in transforming African livestock production systems by harnessing genomic technologies and breeding programs to drive genetic gains. This approach balances productivity with sustainability, supporting livelihoods and strengthening food security across the continent.
A new report highlights the perils and promise of wild meat hunting, consumption, and trade in Africa and Southeast Asia. The report proposes a four-pronged approach to make wild meat value chains fairer, safer, and more sustainable, while reducing zoonotic disease risks.
A new study highlights five countries—India, China, Brazil, Pakistan, and Sudan—as key locations for strategic investments in sustainable livestock practices. These countries have high greenhouse gas emissions and large numbers of people and animals exposed to climate stress.
African-led research sequenced the genome of a drought-resistant bean, paving the way for genetic improvements to promote widespread cultivation. The lablab bean offers nutritional and economic benefits, as well as improved soil fertility, making it an important crop for diversified food systems.
A new study found that despite awareness of COVID-19 risks, bushmeat consumption remained unchanged in rural communities along the Kenya-Tanzania border. Education levels played a critical role in understanding disease transmission. Increased food costs caused by regulations led to increased bushmeat consumption.
A new study assessing One Health Networks globally reveals that investment has not been equitably distributed, with low diversity in stakeholder and sector representation. The study highlights the need for more inclusive and equitable partnerships to address pressing global health threats.
A systematic review found that livestock production is associated with improved height-for-age Z scores and weight-for-length/height Z scores in under-five children. However, it also increases the risk of disease transmission through water, food, and insects.
A recent study found that livestock systems are a significant source of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria and genes, which can spread to humans through contaminated manure. The researchers recommend ecosystem-wide surveillance and improved manure disposal practices to combat AMR on a global scale.
A meta-analysis found that adopting existing mitigation strategies could reduce livestock methane emissions enough to help the sector limit its share of global warming to the 1.5°C target by 2030. The identified most effective strategies include increasing feed intake, grazing on less mature grass, and feeding concentrates.
A six-step framework for improving disease surveillance in remote areas of low- and middle-income countries aims to address pandemics early, saving human lives. The framework incorporates mobile-phone applications, increased clinical and diagnostic capacity, national and global integration to transform data into actionable interventions.
Researchers have identified a genetic marker that predicts East Coast fever tolerance in cattle, paving the way for breeding programs and potentially reducing livestock losses by up to 100%. The discovery could also lead to more sustainable and cost-effective farming practices in Africa.
A study found that climate change could lead to significant economic losses of $15-40 billion annually for livestock farmers, especially in poor, tropical countries. Adaptation measures such as breeding heat-stress tolerant cattle and relocating animals to suitable regions can mitigate these losses.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on smallholder farmers in the developing world, with up to 80% reporting reduced food purchases and 50% suffering income loss. The study highlights the need for policymakers to balance disease containment measures with the food security needs of rural populations.
A study in Nairobi, Kenya, found that bacteria are shared among humans and animals, with households serving as key gateways for transmission. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding the urban environment to prevent emerging diseases.