{Data on animal identification systems and selection criteria for sheep and goats were collected from the Rendille and Gabra communities in northern Kenya. These were then analysed through computation of indices, which represented a weighted average of all rankings of a particular trait or identification system. The three most important records kept were castration (indexþinspace}=þinspace

This study estimated genetic and phenotypic parameters and annual trends for growth and fertility traits of Charolais and Hereford cattle in Kenya. Traits considered were birth weight (BW, kg), pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG, kg/day) and weaning weight (WW, kg); calving interval (CI, days) and age at first calving (AFC, days). Direct heritability estimates for growth traits were 0.36 and 0.21; 0.25 and 0.10; 0.23 and 0.13 for BW, ADG and WW in Charolais and Hereford, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates were 0.11 and 0.01; 0.18 and 0.00; 0.17 and 0.17 for BW, ADG and WW in Charolais and Hereford, respectively. Direct-maternal genetic correlations ranged between -0.46 and 1.00; -0.51 and -1.00; -0.47 and -0.39 for BW, ADG and WW in Charolais and Hereford, respectively. Genetic correlations ranged from -0.99 to unity and -1.00 to unity for growth and fertility traits respectively. Prospects for improvement of growth and fertility traits exist.

Increasing population pressure, land scarcity and diminishing production resources are promoting goat production in the tropics. Dairy goat breeding (DGB) projects have been implemented by development agencies, governments and the private sector with the objective of improving the dairy merits genetically through crossbreeding with exotic genotypes. The performance of these projects is still a cause for concern. Therefore, sustainable dairy goat breeding forces various stakeholders to re-orient their breeding goals, strategies and design of breeding programmes towards a sustainability perspective. This paper highlights a set of key requirements for establishing sustainable dairy goat breeding programmes. Conclusions are drawn based on the lessons learnt from numerous examples of DGB projects in East and Central Africa keeping sustainability concerns insight to inform on-going and future projects.

A deterministic model was developed and applied to evaluate biological and economic variables that characterize smallholder production systems utilizing the Kenya Dual Purpose goat (KDPG) in Kenya. The systems were defined as: smallholder low-potential (SLP), smallholder medium-potential (SMP) and smallholder high-potential (SHP). The model was able to predict revenues and costs to the system. Revenues were from sale of milk, surplus yearlings and cull-for-age animals, while costs included those incurred for feeds, husbandry, marketing and fixed asset (fixed costs). Of the total outputs, revenue from meat and milk accounted for about 55{%} and 45{%}, respectively, in SMP and 39{%} and 61{%} in SHP. Total costs comprised mainly variable costs (98{%}), with husbandry costs being the highest in both SMP and SLP. The total profit per doe per year was KSh 315.48 in SMP, KSh -1352.75 in SLP and KSh -80.22 in SHP. Results suggest that the utilization of the KDPG goat in Kenya is more profitable in the smallholder medium-potential production system. The implication for the application of the model to smallholder production systems in Kenya is discussed.

Economic values for production traits (milk yield, MY, kg; 12-month sale weight, LW, kg; consumable meat percentage, CMP) and functional traits (doe live weight, DoWT, kg; number of kids weaned, NKW; kidding frequency, KF; kidding rate, KR, {%}; doe weaning rate, DoWR, {%}; doe survival rate, DoSR, {%}; post-weaning survival rate, PoSR, {%}; pre-weaning survival rate, PrSR, {%} and; residual feed intake of yearlings, RFIy, kg and does RFId, kg) were estimated for the Kenya Dual Purpose goat (KDPG) for systems under two bases of evaluation. The production systems included smallholder low-potential (SLP), smallholder medium-potential (SMP) and smallholder high-potential (SHP), while the bases of evaluation considered were fixed flock-size and fixed feed resource. Under both bases of evaluation, economic values were highest in SMP apart from the economic values for feed intake-related traits (RFIy and RFId). In SMP, the economic values under fixed flock-size scenario were KSh 71.61 (LW), 20.90 (MY), 45.20 (CMP), 13.68 (NKW), 3.61 (KF), 6.52 (KR), 12.39 (DoWR), 22.96 (DoSR), 22.87 (PoSR), 13.18 (PrSR), -2.76 (RFIy) and -3.00 (RFId). The corresponding economic values under fixed feed resources scenario were KSh 73.28, 29.39, 45.20, 16.91, 4.76, 9.45, 13.84, 25.67, 25.15, 16.19, -2.76 and -3.00. Generally in all production systems, economic values for most traits were higher under fixed feed resource than under fixed flock-size scenario. In all systems, the economic values for most of the traits were sensitive to changes in prices of feed, milk and meat. The positive economic values for most traits under fixed flock-size scenario and fixed feed resource indicates that a unit increase in genetic merit for the traits would have a positive effect on the profitability of the systems.

Genetic and economic efficiency of alternative schemes breeding for resistance to gastrointestinal (GI) helminths in meat sheep was evaluated using deterministic simulation. Four breeding objectives and schemes were assessed. The first breeding objective simulated a situation where the flock size cannot be increased due to non-feed related constraints (FLOCK). The second specifically assumed that the flock size is restricted due to limited amount of feed resources (FEED). The third and fourth objectives assumed that sheep performed only tangible roles (TR) and both tangible and intangible roles (IR) in the production system, respectively. Within these breeding objectives, four breeding schemes that differed in the measures available for use as selection criteria were compared. The schemes ranged from one that utilised birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, litter size and lambing interval (scheme 1) to one that included two measurements of faecal egg count (FEC, eggs/g) in young rams immediately after weaning (scheme 4). For scheme 1, resistance to GI helminths was not included in the breeding objectives. A two-stage selection process was assumed in the selection of rams to be used in the nucleus. The annual monetary genetic gain and profit per ewe for all schemes varied within breeding objectives but were highest in TR. Within each breeding objective, the annual monetary genetic gain and profit per ewe was highest for the breeding scheme with the highest level of recording (scheme 4). In all objectives, the difference in the profit per ewe between a scheme that included records on FEC measured once in rams immediately after weaning (scheme 3) and scheme 4 was small (1.3–3.7%) indicating that there is little benefit taking a second measurement of FEC. The optimal size of the nucleus was determined by the breeding objective. In schemes 3 and 4, profit per ewe was optimal when the top 5%, 5%, 10% and 10% of rams were selected in the first selection stage for FEC measurement in FLOCK, FEED, TR and IR, respectively. The practical implications of these results are discussed.

Small ruminants (i.e., sheep and goats) are ubiquitous, and contribute significantly to the subsistence, economic and social livelihoods of a large human population in low-input, smallholder production systems in developing countries. Increasing human population, urbanization and incomes, coupled with changing consumer preferences are creating more demand for these animals and their products. This demand can effectively be met by substantially increasing the productivity of these animals. Integrated effort in terms of management, health, genetic improvement and product technology to enhance production and decrease wastage is, therefore, desirable. Efficient genetic improvement programs can boost output and profitability for the smallholders. However, there is a lack of information on sustainable conventional genetic improvement programs under smallholder production circumstances. Consequently, methods for implementing and the factors influencing the success of genetic improvement programs should be studied. This review focuses on the technical and infrastructural issues affecting the genetic improvement of small ruminants in low-input, smallholder production systems. It is concluded that a key step is to identify existing structures, institutions, and indigenous breeding practices, and, to build upon these foundation programs where there are opportunities for sustainable genetic improvement.

This paper describes the role of the camel in shaping and supporting the pastoral economy and culture of the Somali community in northern Kenya. Over 70% of Kenya’s land mass consists of arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of low agricultural potential, and northern Kenya falls within this region. Extensive livestock grazing, in a nomadic pastoral production system, is the most suitable means of utilizing ASALs. Of the many nomadic communities living in northern Kenya, the Somali tribe is perhaps the largest keeping mainly camels, but also cattle and small stock (sheep and goats). Camels are well adapted to the harsh conditions of the ASALs. In the Somali pastoral lifestyle, camels play multiple roles, of which milk production is perhaps the most important. Camel meat is a delicacy not to be missed during festivities. Male camels are also used for transportation of water, and of household items when families move to new grazing sites within the range. In addition, camels have an important role in traditional social relations, such as in payment of a dowry, and in compensation of injured parties in clan feuds. In the Somali culture, camel ownership (in terms of herd size) is an indication of social status. Also, in the Somali traditional economy, camels are the main reserve stock, and therefore act as a store of wealth and security against drought, disease and other natural calamities.