This study characterises farmer’s preferences for breeding rams and tackles their willingness to contribute to the wool sheep Koundoum conservation programme through their quantified appreciation of the main phenotypic features of the sheep breed in the region. In Tillabéri region, i.e. the Koundoum sheep’s area of origin, the proportional piling tool is first used in 11 focus group discussions of breeders to determine the main selection criteria of breeding rams. The multi-attribute analysis me

Increasing genetic resistance to gastrointestinal parasite infections in sheep would limit the use of drugs and the emergence of resistant parasites. However, this is a very complex trait. The identification of genomic areas associated with the trait is hindered by genotype–environment interactions. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain information from non-cosmopolitan sheep populations. Here, the West African Djallonké sheep genomic profile is analyzed to contribute to solve this gap.

The complex balance between innovation and conservation regarding animal genetic resources makes it difficult to find mutually accepted improvement pathways between breeders, government agencies, and research and education institutions. This study maps stakeholder viewpoints on cattle genetic improvement in Niger using the Q method, which appears effective in identifying the concerns of stakeholders on complex agricultural innovation topics.

The present study aimed at characterizing genetic diversity and relationship of 3 Niger cattle breeds (Zebu Arabe, Zebu Bororo and Kuri). High levels of allelic and gene diversity were observed while genetic differentiation was low. High genetic diversity and poor genetic structure might be due to historic zebu–taurine admixture and ongoing breeding practices in the region. The result of this study will help formulate effective strategies for conservation and improvement of Niger cattle breeds.

Body traits (16 body measurements and 18 qualitative traits) have been analysed in 183 adult sires belonging to nine West African cattle breeds via multifactorial methods to ascertain breeding preferences of African farmers. No clear patterns of homogenisation of the appearance of individuals within cattle breed could be assessed. Since no selection programmes exist and unsupervised matings are the rule, differentiation among African livestock breeds cannot be assessed in European terms.