Research Results - (PDF, 101 mb) - USAID

Breeding a Genetically Improved Dual Purpose Goat
Adapted For Production in Kenya
Principal Investigator
Texas A&M University
Jeremy F.Taylor
Jeremy F. Taylor, Department of Animal rcience, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843
Collaborating Scientists
Bonfance Mwandotto, Research Scientist and Resident Scientist, TAES
Scott K. Davis, Professor, TAES
Francis Ruvuna, Research Scientist, TAES
Harvey Blackburn, Research Scientist, TAES
R.M. Waruiru, Professor, University of Nairobi
C.O. Ahuya, Research Officer, KARI
S. Mkuu, Technical Officer, KARI
U.S. Institution
Department of Animal Science, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), Texas A&M
University, College Station, Texas, 77843
Collaborating Institutions
Ke:nya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Kenya House, Koinange Street, P. O. Box 57811,
Nairobi, Kenya
University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Summary
Project objectives are to breed a genetically
improved dual purpose goat for Kenya
and to determine the genetic mode of resistance
to Haemonchus contortus,a parasite that is difficult
and expensive to control through the use of
drugs. Indigenous goats are too low in genetic
potential for growth and milk yield to provide a
base for developing a suitable dual purpose goat
and exotic dairy breeds are not viable in western
Kenya. Therefore a breeding program was
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designed and implemented to produce a low
maintenance and high milk producing goat
adapted to Kenya conditions.
A study initiated in 1989 investigated
milk yields of Kenya dual purpose goats, F~s,
and indigenous East African and Galla does.
The Fls were from crosses of Toggenburg and
Anglo Nubian breeds with East African and
Galla breeds. The results indicate considerable
.
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