Why small-scale beef cattle farmers struggle to improve their animals

While genomic selection is a mainstay of commercial cattle breeding, the accurate record-keeping and data analysis it requires are often unaffordable for, or inaccessible to, smallholder and communal farmers. This study by researchers from across the globe looks at the challenges these producers face with improving their herds via this method.

The world’s population is expected to increase from around eight billion people at present to about 10 billion by 2050. With this growth comes an increase in the demand for food, presenting farmers in Africa and Asia with a significant opportunity to improve production and, in turn, their livelihoods.

As incomes in advanced and low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) increase, so too does the demand for dairy and meat in these regions.

It is estimated that in order to achieve food security by 2050, livestock enterprises and efficiency will have to grow by 2% to 2,5% per annum. Due to the pressures on agriculture in developed countries, a significant proportion of this growth has to occur in the regions of greatest need, namely Africa and Asia. An increase in demand for meat and dairy also means an increase in demand for inputs such as land, water, animal feed and labour, which will drive up the cost of livestock production.

Climate change is another challenge to this, and the need for animals that are productive in hotter temperatures and drier climates is on the rise. Animals that are resistant to parasites and vector-borne diseases and can produce more with fewer inputs are also essential in the quest to improve animal production and efficiency.