1. Our Infrastructure
A Decade in the Making
6,000+
Genotyped crossbred animals
4
African countries
ETH · KEN · TZA · NGA
10+
Years of continuous data
2. Who We Are — LGNFR at ILRI
Led by Dr. Anu Frank-Lawale — Ethiopia · Kenya ·
Tanzania · Nigeria
Genetics
Crossbred genomic evaluation across 4 African countries
Feed & Nutrition
Feed formulation, efficiency, G×E interaction
Data Science
ADGG platform, 6,000+ genotypes & phenotype records
AI / Digital
Generative AI, LLM agents, decision-support tools
3. Research Pillars
Pillar 1
Genomic Breeding & G×E
6,000+ genotyped crossbreds · 10+ yr data · Genotype × feed environment interaction across 4 countries. Iowa State reproductive technology disseminates top-performing genetics.
Pillar 2
Feed Innovation & Nutrition
Local feed resource characterisation · Breeding for feed efficiency · Nutritional quality of animal-source foods. Genome → Feed Trough → Farmer's Table.
Pillar 3
Climate-Smart Traits
Global Methane Genetics Initiative (Bezos Earth Fund, 5 countries) · Methane breeding values · Multi-omics + neural-network GBLUP. Productive × Resilient × Low-Emission.
Pillar 4
Generative AI for Livestock
LLM agents for automated genetic evaluation · Natural language queries on breeding values · AI prediction: multi-omics + environment → phenotype forecast · Decision support.
4. Full Research Portfolio
Areas of Inquiry — Obj. 1.2 + 2.1
Livestock Genetics
Crossbred Genomic Evaluation
Genomic selection for dairy & beef traits; G×E interaction; improved genomic prediction across diverse African feed environments.
Feed & Nutrition
Feed Efficiency & Innovation
Local feed characterisation, optimal ration formulation, breeding for feed conversion; translating genetics to household nutrition outcomes.
Animal Health
Health & Disease Resistance
Genomic approaches to disease resilience; vaccine delivery; AI-assisted diagnostics across smallholder systems.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture Productivity
Genomic selection for aquatic species; innovative feeding strategies; sustainable intensification in African aquaculture systems.
Climate-Smart
Methane & Resilience Traits
Methane emission breeding values; heat stress tolerance; multi-omics for climate adaptation and low-emission livestock.
Generative AI
AI-Powered Decision Support
LLM agents for genetic pipelines; natural language breeding queries; right breed × right feed × right environment.
5. The Iowa State × ILRI Alignment
Iowa State University Brings
Prof. Curtis R. Youngs & Team
Reproductive technologies: ET, IVF, AI — accelerated genetic dissemination
U.S. Land-Grant credibility & eligibility as Lead Management Entity
Essential Feed the Future network & U.S. scientific leadership
30+ years · 15 countries · 220+ publications
ILRI — LGNFR Brings
Dr. Anu Frank-Lawale & Team
Data, genomic pipeline & NARS partners across 4 African countries
Feed & Nutrition Science — ADGG platform, 6,000+ genotypes
Generative AI & digital tools for livestock decision support
Field sites: Ethiopia · Kenya · Tanzania · Nigeria
Together: not collaboration — multiplication.
6. Open Collaboration Call
Open to U.S. University Collaboration
FtF Innovation Labs require a U.S. Land-Grant university as Lead Management Entity.
ILRI–LGNFR is a ready and flexible sub-recipient partner with world-class data,
genomics infrastructure, and AI tools. We welcome U.S. university partners to anchor the application —
together addressing livestock genetics, animal health, aquaculture, feed innovation, and climate-smart
traits at scale across sub-Saharan Africa.
Contact us to co-design a proposal ahead of the April 3, 2026 deadline.
7. The Vision
G×E Research
Genotype × feed-environment interaction across 4 African countries — which genotypes thrive on which local feed?
Generative AI
LLM-powered decision support for livestock breeding & management — right breed, right feed, right environment.
Efficient AI & ET
Accelerated dissemination of best genetics through reproductive technology to smallholder herds fast.