by A team of animal scientists from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has developed a new breed of cows that could revolutionize milk production for subsistence farmers in the Global South. These cows, a mix of Holsteins, Jerseys, and indigenous Gyrs, have the potential to produce up to 20 times more milk than traditional indigenous breeds.
The research, published in Animal Frontiers, aims to combine the high milk-producing abilities of Holsteins and Jerseys with the heat, drought, and disease-resistance of indigenous Gyrs. After five generations of crosses, these new cattle can produce an impressive 10 liters of milk per day under typical Tanzanian management conditions, surpassing the average yield of half a liter from indigenous cattle.
The project, led by Matt Wheeler, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, plans to bring embryos of these high-yielding cows to Tanzania. While Holstein-Gyr crosses, known as Girolandos, are common in Brazil, endemic diseases prevent their export to other countries. Wheeler’s team wants to establish a high health-status herd in the U.S., allowing the export of their genetics worldwide.
In March, the team plans to implant 100 half-blood Holstein-Gyr or Jersey-Gyr embryos into indigenous cattle in Tanzania. The resulting calves will be bred through successive generations to create pure synthetic cattle with five-eighths Holstein or Jersey and three-eighths Gyr genetics. These pure synthetics will maintain the disease and pest resistance along with the high milk production traits, ensuring their longevity and effectiveness.
To ensure the success of the project, training programs have been initiated for veterinarians and students in Tanzania to adopt the technology. These initiatives aim to familiarize the local population with the new breed and ensure its acceptance and implementation in the country. Collaboration with local organizations and experts has also helped shape the strategy to accommodate the preferences of Maasai herdsmen, who prefer smaller, red cattle.
While the project is still in its early stages, it holds promise for improving food security in the Global South, where the impact of climate change is most severe. The improved cattle genetics could also be used to protect cattle from changing climates in other regions, including the United States. By introducing tropical genetics into high-yielding cattle, they can better withstand heat, drought, and disease.
The potential of these climate-smart cows extends beyond the Global South. Areas like Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, and California, which also face climatic challenges, could benefit from these breeds. This forward-thinking approach to animal agriculture could have far-reaching implications for sustainable farming practices worldwide.
In conclusion, the development of climate-smart cows with the potential for significantly higher milk production is an exciting breakthrough for subsistence farmers in the Global South. By combining the genetic strengths of different breeds, these cows offer a solution to the challenges faced in tropical and changing climates. As the project advances, it is expected to contribute to improved food security and resilience in agricultural practices, both locally and globally.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
