As climate change intensifies, livestock in tropical Africa are increasingly exposed to heat stress (HS), which is linked to decreased feed intake, reduced milk and meat production, impaired reproduction, and overall poor animal health. The consequences of HS are far-reaching, particularly for smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend on animal agriculture. While traditional methods of mitigation—such as providing shade and cooling systems—offer temporary relief, they are often costly and unsustainable. A more promising and enduring solution lies in the realm of genetics.

A recent case study by Habimana et al. (2025) on “The Role of Genetics in Understanding and Improving Heat Tolerance in Tropical African Livestock” has revealed that indigenous breeds exhibit better heat tolerance due to evolutionary adaptation (i.e., efficient water use, high feed efficiency, and effective thermoregulation) but are generally less productive than exotic breeds. The challenge, therefore, is to combine the heat resilience of local breeds with the high productivity of exotic ones through informed genetic selection and breeding programs. By linking these phenotypic traits with genetic data and meteorological information, researchers can identify key candidates for breeding that maintain performance under heat stress.

Notable scientific strides in molecular genetics (i.e., the identification of specific genes associated with heat tolerance) and genomic tools (including genome-wide association studies and marker-assisted selection) are increasingly being used to incorporate these traits into breeding programs. Despite these gains, Africa faces unique challenges in implementing genetic solutions, e.g., limited access to performance and weather data, high costs of genetic testing, and a lack of infrastructure for consistent data collection, particularly among smallholder farmers. Moreover, many genetic studies in Africa rely on small sample sizes, limiting their applicability.

As further discussed in the case study, future research should focus on large-scale studies involving indigenous breeds and invest in farmer-friendly technologies for data collection. There’s also a need for interdisciplinary approaches—merging genetics, climate science, and machine learning—to simulate future climate scenarios and guide breeding decisions. Additionally, engaging farmers and assessing their willingness to adopt heat-tolerant breeds is critical for the success of any genetic program. Ultimately, integrating genetics into Africa’s livestock development agenda offers a sustainable pathway to combat heat stress, boost productivity, and enhance food security.

As the climate continues to change, investing in resilient, genetically improved livestock is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Access the full article:https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/animalsciencecases.2025.0017