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Cattle breeds and Breeding
A breed is a race or variety related by descent and similarity in certain distinguishable characteristics. More than 250 breeds of cattle are recognized throughout the World.
In Africa there are two main races of Cattle: Bos indicus (cattle with humps) including the Boran, Sahiwal and Zebu cows (indigenous) and the Bos taurus (exotic or imported breeds). The two races can cross breed, and the crosses can be very productive both in terms of growth rates for beef, improved milk production as well as disease resistance.
Kenya is a home to a wide range of cattle genotypes. Within the East and Central Africa region, Kenya has the highest number of exotic dairy cattle. As for indigenous breeds, Kenya also ranks high with Ethiopia and Sudan topping the list of African countries with the highest population of indigenous cattle breeds.

Some agroecological zones (AEZ's) are not suitable for pure breed high yielding milk cows, but can benefit from crossbreeding the local breeds of cattle with exotic breeds. However, this will only be useful if management practices such as improved feeding, plenty of fresh water available, and a reliable source of veterinary drugs are available. Without these conditions the survival rate of cross breeds is likely to be low.
Milk Breeds
The Friesian breed
A Friesian cow from Gicheha Farm
© J.O. Ouda, KARI, Kenya
Before the establishment of the Netherlands herd book in 1873 and the Friesland herd book in 1879, both black-pied and red-pied animals were maintained separately. The preference for black-pied cattle, particularly in the United States, led to the further segregation of red-pied animals and presently this colour variation only exists in small number in the Netherlands.
Production levels of this breed declined during the 1950's when excessive emphasis was placed on correct colour pattern. During the 1970's Holsteins were imported from the United States and used to improve the milk production. This resulted in larger animals with a more pronounced dairy characteristics. The mixing of these two breeds is such that now many Friesians are 25% to 75% Holstein.
The modern Friesian is pre-eminently a grazing animal, well able to sustain itself over much lactation, on both low lying and upland grassland, being developed by selective breeding over the last 100 years. Some outstanding examples of the breed have 12 to 15 lactations to their credit, emphasizing their inherent natural fecundity. In response to demand, protein percentages have been raised across the breed and herd protein levels of 3.4% to 3.5% are not uncommon.

Typical characteristics include:
Purpose: Milk production
Potential yield: 40-50 Litres milk/day
Average body size: Large (500-550kg)
Description: Black and white short haired coat, short horns

Friesian cow with calf
© AIC Documentation Unit, Kenya
  • High milk production potential with low butter fat content of about 3.2%
    Note: Milk production will depend on level of feeding and other management
  • Suitable for zero grazing and high level management
  • Frequent calving in their lifetime
  • Need less replacements
  • Provide valuable male calves
  • Have lower cell counts
  • They are known for their versatility: they provide high quality milk and high quality lean meat

  • Heavy feeder
  • Susceptible to diseases, susceptible to milk fever
  • Susceptible to high temperatures
  • Feed requirements high (90-110Kg fresh forage/day i.e. 3 gunny bags)
  • Adequate clean water (min 60 Lts/day, more for heavy yielders)

Friesians and their crossbreeds are predominant in Kenya particularly in Central Kenya and Central Rift Valley. The farms where they can be found include:
1. Manera (Delamere Estates), Naivasha
2. KARI Naivasha, PO Box 25 Naivasha
3. KAR Lanet, PO Box 1275, Nakuru
4. Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Katuke Complex, PO Box 1392-30200 Kitale
5. Makongi Farm, PO Box 1320-30100 Eldoret
6. Kisima Farm, PO Box 19- 20107 Njoro
7. Gogar Farm PO Box 6-201080 Rongai
8. University of Nairobi Farm PO Box 29053-10202 Kabete
9. Sanctuary Farm PO Box 244-20177 Naivasha
10. Marimba Farm PO Box 32 Meru
11. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
12. Gicheha Farm, PO Box 236 Ruiru
The Ayrshire breed
The Ayrshire breed originated from in the county of Ayr in Scotland, prior to 1800. The breed was introduced to Kenya in 1908 from South Africa. It has been developed over the last century through inputs of bloodlines from Britain, South Africa, Sweden, New-Zealand, Canada and USA.
Kenya Aryshire cattle breeders emphasize on medium cow balanced for type, production, longer life and fertility. Ayrshire population in Kenya is estimated to be over 1.2 million of which nearly 30'000 are registered (see the list of breeding farms below).

Airshire cow
© AIC Documentation Unit, Kenya
Typical characteristics include:
Purpose: Milk production. Ayrshire milk is referred as "the ideal drinking milk"; it is not excessively rich, not lacking adequate fat, and it possesses desirable quantities of proteins.
Potential yield: 30 Litres/day
Average body size: Large (average live-weight 450kg)
  • Body colour: Brown and white patches in almost equal amounts with some cows tending to dark mahogany colour
  • Prominent strongly attached and balanced udders
  • Strong loins, long stooping from hip to pin bones
  • Good spring of ribs and deep body capacity

  • High milk production potential (30 Litre/day). The average milk yield from this breed in Kenya is roughly 3000 Litres in 305 days with butter fat of 4.7%.
  • The cow's milk has moderate butter fat content 4.0%
  • Fairly hardy and adaptable to varied agro-ecological zones (AEZs)
  • They are easy calving
  • They are relatively resistant to diseases and free of genetic diseases
  • Better suited to range management than the Fresian breed

  • Feed requirements high (90-110 kg fresh forage/day i.e. 3 gunny bags)
  • Need plenty of clean water (60 Litres/day)

Farms keeping Ayrshire in Kenya (officially registered):
1. Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Katuke Complex, PO Box 1392-30200 Kitale
2. Makongi Farm, PO Box 1320-30100 Eldoret
3. Kisima Farm, PO Box 19- 20107 Njoro
4. Gogar Farm PO Box 6-201080 Rongai
5. ADC Lanet Farm PO B0x 1124-20100 Nakuru
6. University of Nairobi Farm PO Box 29053-10202 Kabete
7. Moi University Farm PO Box 30900-30100 Eldoret
8. Loruk Farm PO Box 104-10400 Nanyuki
9. Waunyomu Ngeke Ranch PO Box 236-00232 Ruiru
10. Sanctury Farm PO Box 244-20177 Naivasha
11. Marimba Farm PO Box 32 Meru
12. KARI Ol Joro Orok Private Bag 20302 Ol Joro Orok
13. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
14. Sunset Farm PO Box 13366-20100 Nakuru
15. Limuru Agricultural Youth Centre PO Box 30496 Nairobi
16. Chemusian Farm PO Box 86-20107 Menengai
The Guernsey breed
The Guernsey originated on the small Isle of Guernsey, situated in the English Channel just off the coast of France. There is no concrete evidence as to the development of the Guernsey before the 19th Century but there may be some truth in the theory that the Isigny cattle of Normandy and the Froment du Léon breed from Brittany were ancestral relatives of the modern Guernsey.
Guernsey cow exhibited at 2009 Kenya Livestock Breeders Show
© J.O.Ouda, KARI, Kenya
Purpose: Milk production. Heifers generally come into milk at about two years of age.
Average body size: Medium (average live-weight 400kg).
The cow weighs 450 to 500 kg slightly more than the average weight of the Jersey cow which is around 450 kg (1000 pounds). The bull weighs 600 to 700 kg. The average weaning weight of heifers and bull calves is 75 kg.

1. The colour of the Guernsey varies from yellow to reddish-brown with white patches.
2. They have a finely tuned temperament, not nervous or irritable.
3. Physically the breed has good dairy conformation and presents the visual impression of a plain animal bred for utility rather than good looks.
4. They have an attractive carriage with a graceful walk, a strong back, broad loin, wide rump and deep barrel, strong, attached udder extending well forward, with the quarters evenly balanced and symmetrical.
5. The Guernsey bull has an attractive individuality, revealing ample vigour and masculinity. It has smooth-blending shoulders showing good refinement, strength and even contour.

Guernsey cow
© J.O.Ouda, KARI, Kenya
1. High milk production potential (25 Lt/day).
2. Milk has moderate butter fat content 4.3%.
3. Feed requirements: Moderate (65-85Kg fresh forage/day i.e. 2 gunny bags)
4. Guernsey are efficient converters of feed to product, being of intermediate size, Guernsey produce their high quality milk while consuming 20 to 30 percent less feed per pound of milk produced than larger dairy breeds.
5. Guernsey reach reproductive maturity at an early age and can calve at 22 months of age. This provides an early return on investment.
6. Guernsey produce calves big at birth, which are easy to rear.
7. Guernsey are well known for having the minimum of calving complications.
8. Guernsey are adaptable to all climates and management systems and lack any known undesirable genetic recessives.
9. Her fawn and white coat enhances her heat tolerance and reduces heat stress, which adds to her ability to maintain production levels anywhere.
10. They are docile and have an ideal Dairy Temperament.

1. Need plenty of clean water (40 Lts/day)

Farms keeping Guernsey in Kenya (options):
1. Egerton University, PO Box 356, Njoro
2. ADC Lanet Farm PO B0x 1124-20100 Nakuru
3. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
4. Gicheha Farm, PO Box 236 Ruiru
The Jersey breed
Despite considerable research, nothing definite is known as to the actual origin of the cattle first brought to Jersey Island. Most research agrees that the Jersey probably originated from the adjacent coast of France, where in Normandy and Brittany cattle resembling Jerseys are found.
Purpose: Milk production.
Average yield: 22 litres/day and 6.3% butter fat.
Average body size: Small - medium (350 Kg)

Jersey cow
© AIC Documentation Unit, Kenya
1. Jerseys in Kenya are typically light brown in colour, though this can range from being almost grey to dull black. They can also have white patches which may cover much of the animal. A true Jersey will however always have a black nose bordered by an almost white muzzle.
2. They have protruding eyes.
3. This breed is well known for milk with high quality - it is particularly richer in protein, minerals and trace elements than those from the larger dairy breeds. The milk is also rich in colour which is naturally produced from carotene.
4. Milk production potential is moderate (20 Lt/day), depending on feeding and management regime.
5. The highest milk production record of 12,138 litres in 305 days from this breed has been reported Canada with 6.4% butter fat (782 kg) and 3.5% protein (428 kg).

1. Feed requirements is relatively low (65-85 Kg fresh forage/day i.e. 2 gunny bags).
2. Milk has high butter fat content 5.2%.
3. It is hardy and adaptable to varied AEZs.
4. The Jersey's hard black feet are much less prone to lameness.
5. They perform well under a wide range of systems and are well-known for their high feed conversion efficiency.
6. Jerseys generally produce milk components at a lower cost compared to the other major breeds.
7. They stay in the herd longer than any other dairy breed. Her milk has greater nutritional value, plus the highest yield and greater efficiency when processed into cheese and other value-added products.
8. The breed has little or no calving problems, greater fertility, a shorter calving interval, and earlier maturity.
9. Also suitable for cross breeding/ improving local breeds.

1. Susceptible to milk fever and tick borne diseases

A few contacts/farms where Jersey can be found in Kenya are:
1. OlEndeti (Grammaticas) Nairobi, Tel-2067686
2. Ololua Farm (Carol Rees) PO Box 21007 Nairobi, Tel-891015
3. Ontulele (Biddy Davis) Nairobi Tel-891518)
4. Ol Donyo (Tara Llewelyn) PO Box 111 Nanyuki
5. Rawhide (Janet Mills) Nakuru 051-343005
6. ADC Sabwani Complex, PO Box 680 Kitale
Dual Purpose Breeds
Purpose: Meat and milk production
Average body size: Large (average live-weight 750 kg)
Description: Body color brown

1. High production potential with good management and good feeding

1. Susceptible to tick borne diseases.
2. Only suitable for cool areas with year round quality fodder availability.
3. Potential milk yield: low to moderate (10-15 Liters/day).
4. High forage requirement
The Boran breed
By careful selection and application of the strict standards of excellence of the Boran Cattle breeders Society, the Boran breed has been developed into an ideal beef animal suitable for the arid range areas to be found in many parts of the world.
The original strains of the breed came from Ethiopia and were adopted early in the 20th Century by commercial cattlemen in Laikipia, Machakos and the Rift Valley Districts of Kenya. The Boran society was formed in 1951 and its panel of inspectors continues to ensure that the breed progresses and keeps up to date with the demands of modern beef production. The society promotes exports of embryos world wide and semen is exported throughout the East African region.

Purpose: Meat and milk production
Average body size: Medium (Average live-weight is 350-400 kg)

Boran cow dehorned
© AIC Documentation Unit, Kenya
The Boran is typically white in colour with dark points and pigmented generally black skin. Steel-grey with black points is not uncommon. Fawn and red also occur, but black is rare and is not considered a true Boran colour. The Breed standard permits all colours except brindle.
The head is carried well, of medium length and slightly convex. Ears are small in comparison with the Indian breeds and not pendulous. Horns are generally short, round in cross- section and upright, but there is some variation in size and length. They can be 46 cm in circumference at the base and up to 84cm or more in length, measured on the outside curve, but this is exceptional. Polled animals are not uncommon and some animals have been selected for this condition.
The hump is well defined and thoracic; it is larger in the male than in the female. The Boran shows a surprisingly straight top line for a Zebu animal. The well developed hindquarters have frequently been remarked upon. The rump is long., wide and muscular in the male and the buttocks are well fleshed. Among Zebu breeds the Boran is outstanding in this character.
Skin is generally thin, with loose folds and pliable. Both the dewlap and umbilical folds are well developed.
The Boran is generally vigorous and alert. Being accustomed to desert condition, it covers vast distances in search of grazing and water and in some areas is only watered on alternate days or on the third day.

In the view of the cattlemen, the first job of a cow is to produce a calf a year. Boran can meet this objective. It is acknowledged that the greatest attribute of the Boran is its fertility. Even under harsh conditions the Boran cow will continue to breed and rear calves and do this without punishing herself. One explanation for this high fertility is that the cow has relatively low body weight loss over the suckling period, thereby maintaining a good condition, thus able to conceive again.

Boran cattle live a long time. It is quite normal for 15 years old breeding cows to be sound mouthed and it is also on record that a 16 year old Boran bull is still producing high quality semen for artificial insemination.

Boran cattle are recognized as being generally quite, docile and easy to handle. This trait has developed over many generations of cattle living close to man.
The Boran cattle Breeders society makes docility a strait selection criterion and this feature has been recognised by Australian cattlemen who import Borans.

Beef production and Carcass Quality
Average weight gains per day on grass & feedlot: Grass = 0.7 - 1.0 kg per day depending on grass quality. Feedlot = 1.3 kg per day depending on type of cross used (this was found at a recent trial at Marania Farm - Timau where using Boran cross Angus steers & heifers) . Trials in Nebraska, USA, show that the Boran and its crosses score consistently better than other Zebu breeds for meat tenderness, carcass marbling and rib eye area. Butchers in Kenya prefer Borans and their crosses for this reason.

Disease resistance
True resistance to disease is a complicated matter. Recent studies of immunity to diseases in Zebu breeds are now becoming more widely known. For practical purpose the Boran has a useful degree of host resistance to ticks and from Australia it is reported that the breed is 'completely resistant to buffalo fly'. Borans are generally less affected by foot and mouth diseases than exotics and recover faster. It is also clear that the morbidity and mortality rates of East Cost Fever are lower in Boran than in Boss taurus breeds; the Boran being naturally more resistant.

Survival Characteristics
Being an animals which in obliged to walk long distances, selection for perfect feet and leg conformation is necessary for registered cattle. Inspectors will not compromise on this point. Dark pigmentation and black points have become more sought after to satisfy pedigree criteria and export demands.
The herd instinct of the Boran makes it very easy to manage in bush country. They are noted for being able to 'graze on the trot' and they will always stay together. The Boran male and female share breed points, the sexes, however, show marked dimorphism - the female being notably small, whilst the male grows to a large size.
The cow has a well-carried udder with strong attachments and neat, small teats, in contrast to some Asian Zebu breeds. Boran heifers reach puberty at an average age of 385 days. She is an excellent mother, not only will she feed her calf so well that high weaning weights are attainable, but she guards against predators, and will never allow her calf to get lost in the bush. Calving problems hardly exist. Calves at birth weigh an average of 28 kg for males and females, 25 kg.
Boran cattle have developed adaptive traits of crucial importance for their survival. Some of these characters are - the ability to withstand periodic shortage of water and feed, ability to walk long distances in search of water and feed and ability to digest low quality feeds. The herd instinct of the Boran makes it easy to manage and survive in bush country. They will always stay together and can "graze on the trot".
The well-developed beef conformation shows up in carcase appraisals. The depth of eye muscle, marbling, even fat cover and ratio of hind to forequarter make the Boran difficult to beat, hence the preference of Kenya butchers for young, well-finished Boran steers.

1. Docile
2. Milk has high butter-fat of 4.8%
3. Good breeds for marginal areas

1. Milk production potential is low (10 Kg/day)
2. Difficult breeders, most mating at night
The Sahiwal breed
Sahiwal bull
© AIC Documentation Unit, Kenya
This Zebu breed originates from India and Pakistan. National study was established in 1963 in Naivasha with the purpose of improving the breed for milk and beef i.e. as dual purpose breed. For a long time the breed was confined to government farms where the focus was conservation, characterization, improvement and utilization in smallholder systems. This breed is adapted to utilization of of poor quality pasture and rough terrain.

Purpose: Meat and milk production
The milk yield is highly variable because of variation of management regimes. Yields may range from 5-10 litres/day
Average body size: Large (average live-weight 350-400 kg)
Description: Body colour is solid brown

1. Docile.
2. Good breeds for marginal areas.
3. Milk has high butter-fat of 4.8%

2. Difficult breeders, most mating at night

Farms where they can be found include:
The largest herds in Kenya are kept by KARI, Naivasha and El-Karama Nanyuki.
The East African Zebu
East African Zebu
© Anne Bruntse, BioVision
Purpose: Milk and meat production
Average body size: small (average live-weight 250-300 kg)

Description: Body colour is variable, the breed has a prominent hump

1. Very hardy and disease resistant animal

1. Milk production potential is low (5 Lt/day)
2. Late maturing (3 years)
Beef Breeds
Purpose: Meat production
Average body size: Large (average live-weight 550 kg)
Description: Body color reddish brown body with white head and feet

1. Good beef conformation for the discerning consumer.

1. High forage requirement
2. As all exotic breeds Hereford is susceptible to tick borne diseases.
3. Only suitable for cool areas with year round quality fodder availability.

Purpose: Meat production
Average body size: Large (average live-weight 800 kg)
Description: Body color white

1. High production potential with good management and good feeding.
2. Good beef conformation for the discerning consumer.

1. Susceptible to tick borne diseases.
Breeding Cattle
Planned breeding programmes yield the best results when the breeder considers the individual production characteristics in cows and how they can be passed on to offspring. The breeder must also be able to match these characteristics to consumer requirements. In other words - what does your market demand?
In small herds inbreeding depression (in common language - inbreeding) is a very real danger for continued productivity of the livestock ventures. Inbreeding can lead to smaller animals, less productive animals, high incidences of deformities and low disease resistance among other undesirable characteristics.
By having a good breeding strategy such inbreeding can not only be totally avoided, but the opposite can be achieved namely higher productivity, better milk and meat yields, healthy animals with good disease resistance, just to mention a few of the most common goals for breeding strategies

Inbreeding may be defined as mating of individuals more closely related than the average relationship of the population.
Farm animals and birds are very sensitive to inbreeding, and usually full-sib matings can only be continued for a few generations because of a marked decrease in viability and fertility. Breeding within small populations, such as a herd or flock, without introduction of new animals from outside, leads automatically to a certain amount of inbreeding.
All organisms, including the very best bull in any breed, have genetic traits that could be desirable or undesirable from a farmers perspective . The problem arises when two of the undesired traits are present in the same animal (one inherited from each parent. Imagine that this trait is present in a particular bull, and that bull is very popular (because he also has some desirable trait, such as superior milk production in daughters). As this bull is bred to many females, half of the resultant offspring would now carry the undesired trait possessed by that bull. If these individuals are mated to one another, then 25% of their offspring would have double the undesired trait (one from each parent), and another 50% would carry the undesired trait in their genetic base. In this extreme form of inbreeding, in just two generations the defect went from being expressed in one out of all the animals to one out of every four animals, with three-quarters of the animals now carrying the defect.
In farm mammals, each male may be used to serve a large number of females, and under such conditions the increase of the inbreeding coefficient per generation in a closed breeding unit can be estimated simply by dividing 100 by eight times the number of males used. Thus, when only one homebred sire is used, the decrease in heterozygosity (variability) in each generation is 12.5 percent.
When artificial insemination is used, a small number of sires again are used to serve a large number of females. Nevertheless, the reduction in heterozygosity may be relatively small in such cases, because many young sires are used for progeny testing, and several tested sires enter into service each year. The modern trend in artificial insemination is to use the tested sires for only relatively short periods of time, after which they are replaced with younger sires, which presumably have made even better records. Such rapid turnover in sires serves also to reduce the length of the generation interval in breeding programs.

How can the effects of inbreeding be avoided?
When two lines are crossed, then any undesired traits present in one line but not in the other are masked (hidden) and there is typically a boost in the fitness of the offspring. This effect is known as heterosis or hybrid vigor, and is essentially the opposite of inbreeding. This effect even extends to crosses between breeds of cattle, which is why crossbreeding programs are popular (for producing cattle for beef operations, for instance). Essentially, one can get many of the benefits of two breeds of cattle (and other farm animals) in the first generation of a cross by using unrelated parent stock.
The cheapest way of making sure no inbreeding takes place is to:
1. Keep close breeding records of all animals in the herd
2. Make sure parents do not breed with offspring and
3. Siblings do not breed with each other
4. Use AI - carefully noting the name of the sire providing semen at each AI service next to the name of the cow in your diary, so that after some time you will have a record of the family tree of every individual. (see here)
5. Make sure the same sire semen is not used on his offspring.
6. Ask your AI provider to bring different origin semen over time.

Overview of Breeding methodologies
Depending on your goals for breeding animals different breeding techniques can be used. The following is a brief overview of some breeding methodologies used by professional animal breeders. Most of them are not practical for most people, but for the dedicated animal breeder combinations can be used depending on the breeding strategy.
  • Progeny = Offspring
  • Backcross: Progeny resulting from the mating of a two-breed cross animal to one of the parental
  • Crisscrossing: A continuous program of crossbreeding in which there is an alternate use of males belonging to two breeds. Using two breeds designated as P1 and P2, a crisscrossing program, beginning with the two-breed cross animal (P1 x P2), would begin by backcrossing to one of the parental breeds [(P1 x P2) x P1]. Females resulting from these matings would be bred to a P2 male, [(P1 x P2) x P1] x P2, and so on.
  • Crossbred: Progeny resulting from the mating of outcross animals belonging to different breeds.
  • Genus cross: Mating of animals belonging to different genera (for example, mating of domestic cattle, Bos taurus or Bos indicus, to the buffalo, Bison).
  • Grading: Mating of purebred males of a given breed to non-purebred females and the resultant female offspring in successive generations.
  • Inbred line: Line of animals produced by mating related animals.
  • Inbreeding: Mating of animals more closely related to each other than the average relationship within the breed or population concerned.
  • Incross: Progeny resulting from the mating of animals from different inbred lines within a breed.
  • Incrossbred: Progeny resulting from the mating of animals from inbred lines of different breeds.
  • Linebreeding: Generally mild form of inbreeding in which animals mated are related to some supposedly outstanding individual.
  • Outbreeding: Mating of animals less closely related to each other than the average relationship within the breed or population concerned.
  • Outcross: Progeny resulting from the mating of unrelated animals within a breed.
  • Species cross: Mating of animals belonging to different species (for example mating of European breed cattle, Bos taurus, to Brahman cattle, Bos indicus).
  • Three-breed rotational cross: A continuous program of crossbreeding in which males of three breeds are used on a rotational basis. Using three breeds designated as P1, P2 and P3, the first generation would involve production of two-breed cross animals, P1 x P2. In the second generation, two-breed cross females would be mated to males of the third breed, (P1 x P2) x P3; three-breed cross females would be mated to males of one of the breeds used to produce the two-breed cross animals, [(P1 x P2) x P3] x P1, and so on.
  • Topcross: Progeny resulting from the mating of animals belonging to different families within a breed.
  • Topcrossbred: Progeny resulting from the mating of inbred males to non-inbred females of another breed.
  • Topincross: Progeny resulting from the mating of inbred males to non-inbred females of the same breed.
  • Two-breed cross: Progeny resulting from the mating of males of one breed to females of another breed.

Table comparisons of results of inbreeding/linebreeding and outbreeding
Trait Inbreeding/linebreeding Outbreeding
Uniformity Good Poor
Fertility Poor (to good with selection) Good
Growth Poor (to good with selection) Good
Predictability Good Poor
Poor Poor (to good with selection) Good
Longevity Moderate Good
by Marete, 2011

Breeding Strategies and Plans
Distinct objectives are essential to a breeding plan. As we have seen above not only must inbreeding be avoided, but we should aim to improve our livestock breeds for better future profitability such as in:
1. Milk production
2. Better milk composition (depends on your market)
3. Good udder or body shape
4. Beef/meat production
5. Growth rate per month (also related to good nutrition)
6. Disease resistance
7. Color preference
8. Polled/non polled etc.

Both quantity and quality must go together for efficient production.
Genes determine the way animals look. For example the coat colour in cows is the phenotypic expression of the genes that regulate coat colour. The breeder can only plan according to the trait observed. Other genes determine whether the udder will be small or large, whether the animal has horns, the size of the body etc.

Some examples of simple breeding strategies we can mention:
1. To increase milk production in zebu cattle: This can be achieved by upgrading the Breed with a proven exotic dairy breed (jersyey, Guernsey, Friesian) upto the fourth generation or the larger and more productive Boran or Sahiwal cow depending on disease pressure in your area.
2. To increase disease resistance in exotic dairy breeds: Introduction of animals with better resistance to disease such as Boran or Sahiwal will improve the disease resistance of the dairy breeds. The cross bred offspring may take more after one parent than the other, but very good experinces have been had with such crosses.
3. Better performance within a breed: Look carefully at the pictures of sires offerd by the AI service provider to determine whether the proposed sire will add better body conformation to the animal offsprings. Some AI semen providers will supply pictures of offspring, with strengths highlighted. Or if natural breeding is practiced - exchange the bull if the offspring consistently have undesirable traits.
N/B: The successive offsprive from the initial/ subsequent crossing is the one used for successive matings and not the original dam.

Table of some choices of breeding strategy for different producer goals
Goal Inbreeding/linebreeding Outbreeding
Uniform offspring crops Good choice with selection Good in first cross, then poor
Supreme show animals Poor in most cases Good if non-uniform goats
Rapid growth meat animals Moderate at best Good to excellent
by Marete, 2011

Selection of Individuals:
Individuals selected must possess desireable characteristics which have good repeatability and heritability and will, therefore, be passed on to offspring. Selection aims to change the gene frequencies in order to improve the subsequent generations.
Selection may be direct or indirect. The direct method selects cows having the best expression of the trait to be improved. Indirect selection improves a trait by selecting cows with a related trait. The effectiveness of indirect selection depends upon the correlation between two traits. This is of great importance since animal breeding usually involves more than one trait. An example of indirect selection is given by high growth rate, where selection for this trait is likely to improve early maturity and slaughter weight and also the efficiency of feed conversion.

Selection of Breeding Stock
Selection of breeding animals is based on:
  • Pedigree or parentage information
  • Performance records (Estimated breeding values and phenotype)
  • Cost of semen from proven bulls
  • Available bulls in the area
Then mates are assigned accordingly

Breeding technologies
The following methods are used in breeding:
  • Artificial insemination (A. I.) (please link to cow AI)
  • Natural mating (proven and healthy bulls where A.I. is not available)
  • Multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) (Not approved for Organic certified herds): is the process of taking embryos (fertilized ova) from a super ovulated dam (the donor) and transferring them to a surrogate dam (the recipient).
The procedure was developed in the 1970's and 80's and used commercially in cattle. Many advances have been made through the years and the process has been modified for small ruminants, as well as other species. It is a commercially viable option in many livestock operations today.
The most important benefits of Embryo Transfer is increasing the number of offspring from a valuable dam. If you had a valuable female and bred her once a year, you should get 1 offspring per year on average. By flushing you could get 6 to 8 offspring (or more) per flush. And she could be flushed 2 to 3 times per year. Artificial insemination only propagates the genetics of the valued male; MOET propagates the female's genetics as well. MOET programs can be done using artificial insemination.

The Kenya Stud Book
This is a book which contains all the proven animals, their parentage and how one can acquire them. For registered pedigree grade cattle, its best to consult the KSB (please link to KSB website).
When trading in breeding cattle, it is often found that registration with the Kenya stud book, will more than double the price of your animals. Buyers want to know the history of their breeding stock and how to choose the mates without resorting accidentally to inbreeding through AI, and they are willing to pay for this service. The Kenya stud book personel will also give advice on good breeding strategies suited to your situation.
Here is an extract from the Kenya stud book website:

Functions of Kenya Stud Book
  • Registering and issuing of certificates for both pedigree and grade livestock.
  • Setting the grading-up scheme.
  • Setting up the registration rules in liason with the respective Breed societies.
  • Producing annually volumes for registered pedigree and grade livestock.
  • Promotion of proper animal identification.

Benefits of Livestock Registration
  • Keeping animals with proper Ancestry and identification records
  • Adding value to your stock since Registered stock fetch better prices.
  • By consistently following the up-grading scheme the farmer is assured of owning an proved stock after each successive generation. Hence one can also easily own pedigree stock without necessarily having to spend a fortune buying the same.
  • Affords the farmer a chance to contribute in the National Breeding program through the contract mating program which requires that the Bull dam be registered with the KSB.
  • There are also many opportunities for the registered stock to participate in competitions such as ASK shows and breeders shows. Prizes are offered in these events and they also offer a perfect opportunity for the farmer to market his/her stock. Most of these events require that the show animals be registered as a condition.
  • Registration records are also an important National assets for the management of animal genetic resources and biodiversityconservation.

Functions of the Dairy Recording Service of Kenya
  • Recording officially and accurately the quantity (kgs) and quality (Butterfat) of milk produced by each cow in every recorded herd.
  • To produce lactation certificates for the registered herds.
  • Calculating herd average certificates and life time production for the recorded herds and issuance of the appropriate certificates.
  • To avail the production data to the Livestock Recording Centre which is responsible for progeny testing and to the Bull Purchasing Committee for the Contract Mating Program.
  • We offer extension services to the Registered and New farmers where we visit them and offer sound advise on Livestock management and proper record keeping at the farm level.
Review Process:
Jan 2010: Jack Ouda, senior scientist KARI, Kenya and Infonet team
Nov 2011: Update by Andrew Marete, M.Sc. Animal Genetics and Infonet team
Information Source Links
  • AIC Documentation Unit, Kenya
  • Central Artificial Insemination Service.
  • Kenya Stud Book (Breeding Organisation):, Email:, P.O. Box 478 NAKURU. Contact person Geoffrey Mwangi Manager KLBO. Phone +254 733876335.
Sahiwal bull
The process of changing the farm management from conventional to organic practices as per the organic standards.
Genetic resources
Refers to genetic material of actual or potential use.

