Efficient reproduction and breeding form the foundation for sustainable improvement of animal productivity and are critical factors influencing
the economic stability of livestock farmers. Low fertility is often identified as one of the primary constraints hindering the proficiency
of livestock production systems in developing countries.
Decreasing the age at which an animal bears its first offspring and the interval between successive births increases the number of animals yielding a marketable product or available for sale themselves. Increased numbers of animals also allows for more intense selection of the best animals to serve as parents of the next generation. Low rates of reproduction can also contribute to the endangerment of a livestock population. Most of the world’s livestock genetic diversity is found in developing countries.
The objective of our activities is to support the adoption of an integrated approach to improving reproduction and breeding, using a wide variety of methods and technologies. Many of the activities relate to the adoption and subsequent management of artificial insemination programs. Included are interventions to monitor reproductive cycles and improve female fertility, education to increase the skill of inseminators, and consultation on the development of breeding and selection programs. The work also includes the characterisation of livestock genetic resources using both phenotypic and molecular approaches.
