Irish-Kenyan Partnership Advances Dairy Cattle Research on Gestation

In a significant collaboration, researchers from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority in Ireland, have co-authored a study focusing on dairy cattle gestation. The research, titled “Gestation length and its associations with calf birth weight, calf perinatal mortality, and dystocia in dairy cattle,” was featured as Editor’s Choice in the August 2025 issue of the Journal of Dairy Science.

The objective of the study was to understand the association between non-genetic factors and gestation length in dairy cattle. Additionally, the study examined how gestation length affects calving performance. This research was supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya through the Dairy Ireland Kenya Project, with additional funding from Science Foundation Ireland and Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The findings of the study offer valuable insights for predicting calving dates by taking into account key factors associated with gestation length. These findings can be integrated into decision support tools that help predict herd calving patterns more accurately. This can aid producers in optimizing herd average gestation length as part of a broader breeding strategy, mitigating potential issues arising from extremely short gestations.

This research initiative underscores Ireland's commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture and smallholder livelihoods in Kenya. By fostering such international collaborations, both countries aim to enhance agricultural practices and outcomes.