Scientists from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have engineered a breed of cow with improved milk yield and resilience to climate conditions, aiming to revolutionize the dairy sector and enhance food security for farmers in Tanzania.
The group of animal science experts from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has introduced a breed of cow poised to greatly benefit Tanzanian small-scale farmers, with the potential to produce milk at levels up to 20-fold higher than local breeds.
Published in Animal Frontiers, this initiative combines the high milk yield of Holsteins and Jerseys with the environmental hardiness of Gyrs, a native breed in tropical regions. After five generations of selective breeding, these cattle can produce approximately 10 liters of milk each day within the Tanzanian context, a significant increase from the typical half-liter yield of local cattle breeds.
Advancements in Bovine Hybridization
The project’s pioneer, Matt Wheeler, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois, plans to transfer embryos to Tanzania. This initiative aims to generate a herd with high health standards in the U.S., enabling international transfer of their genetic material.
The University of Illinois has succeeded in combining the durability traits of tropical cattle breeds with the prolific milk production traits of temperate Holstein or Jersey breeds. These embryos are slated to be transported to Tanzania later in the year to establish herds that could significantly bolster food security. The credit goes to the University of Illinois team.
Wheeler anticipates the implantation of 100 hybrid Holstein-Gyr or Jersey-Gyr embryos into Tanzanian native cattle come March. The resultant offspring will undergo successive breeding to attain a “pure synthetic” lineage with a genetic makeup of five-eighths Holstein or Jersey and three-eighths Gyr. These pure synthetics, unlike the Girolandos of Brazil, have not been officially named.
The ultimate goal is to solidify the desirable traits of milk production and pest resistance in the cattle’s genetics to ensure these characteristics are retained in future breedings.
Cultural Sensitivities and Educational Efforts
Wheeler’s team is also focusing on the cultural aspects and the need for training local stakeholders. Together with Moses Ole-Neselle from the FAO, Wheeler is not just concentrating on embryo development but also on capacity building. They initiated a bovine reproduction technology course attended by Tanzanians, with continued training planned to ensure the smooth adoption of the technology.
Wheeler is acutely aware that local cultural preferences must be respected to ensure the success of the initiative. Collaborations with Tanzanian institutes have led to adjustments in breeding strategies to meet local herdsman preferences, demonstrating a commitment to cultural sensitivity.
To fully realize the benefits of the advanced genetics, certain traditional cattle management practices in Tanzania may need modification, like the long-distance grazing habits of the Maasai herders which can negatively affect milk production.
Prospects and Obstacles
Though the project is in its preliminary phases, it is a stride towards creating a more climate-resilient agricultural practice, as discussed in the special edition of Animal Frontiers featuring Wheeler’s work. While the immediate focus is on enhancing food security in regions severely affected by climate change, the approach has broader applications, potentially safeguarding cattle globally against the impacts of a changing climate by integrating tropical genetics into high-yield breeds.
Wheeler suggests considering the benefits of these climate-adaptive genetics for cattle in areas like Mexico and parts of the United States, advocating for a forward-thinking approach to cattle breeding in anticipation of future climate challenges.
Citation: “Development of genetically improved tropical-adapted dairy cattle” by Paula V Marchioretto, R A Chanaka Rabel, Crystal A Allen, Moses M B Ole-Neselle and Matthew B Wheeler, 13 October 2023, Animal Frontiers.
DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad050
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Climate-resilient cows
What is the significance of the new cow breed developed by the University of Illinois?
The cow breed developed by the University of Illinois represents a major advancement in agricultural science, particularly for Tanzanian subsistence farmers. By crossing Holsteins and Jerseys with native Gyrs, they have created a breed that not only produces up to 20 times more milk than local breeds but also maintains resilience to heat, drought, and disease. This could lead to a transformation in local agriculture, significantly enhancing food security in Tanzania.
How does the new breed of cow help in addressing climate change issues?
The new breed offers a climate-smart solution for dairy farming in tropical countries that are facing the adverse effects of climate change. With their enhanced resistance to extreme weather conditions and diseases prevalent in tropical climates, these cows are better suited to provide stable milk production in the face of environmental challenges, thereby contributing to more resilient local food systems.
What are the genetic characteristics of the new cow breed?
The new cow breed, which is yet to be officially named, possesses a genetic makeup of five-eighths Holstein or Jersey and three-eighths Gyr. This genetic combination is designed to lock in the high milk production trait of the Holsteins and Jerseys with the climate adaptability and disease resistance of the Gyrs, ensuring these traits are retained through successive generations.
What efforts are being made to ensure the successful adoption of the new cow breed in Tanzania?
The research team from the University of Illinois, alongside collaborators such as the FAO and Tanzanian agricultural institutes, are conducting training and educational programs for local veterinarians and farmers. They are working to align breeding strategies with local cultural preferences and practices, which is crucial for the breed’s acceptance and successful integration into the Tanzanian dairy farming landscape.
What are the potential global applications of this cattle breeding technology?
While the immediate goal is to aid Tanzanian farmers, the technology has global potential. It can be used to infuse tropical genetics into high-yield cattle breeds elsewhere, which might be necessary to adapt to changing climates in other parts of the world, including regions in Mexico and the United States. This proactive approach in cattle breeding could be instrumental in tackling the broader challenges of global food security in a changing climate.
More about Climate-resilient cows
- University of Illinois ACES
- Animal Frontiers Journal
- FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Tanzania Livestock Research Institute
- Center for African Studies at University of Illinois
5 comments
really interesting read but i’m wondering, how will they ensure these cows aren’t just benefiting the big farms? what about the small scale farmers
Article mentions training for vets and students, that’s good foresight. sustainability’s not just about the cows, it’s also the people caring for them right
gotta hand it to those scientists, making cows that can withstand the heat and still produce more milk? that’s next level
wow thats some breakthrough, imagine the change for farmers in Tanzania! but what about the local biodiversity, does it get affected
heard about this crossbreeding before but 20 times more milk is huge! can these cows really thrive in Tanzania’s climate though