The Importance of the Introduction of New Genetics in Genetic Diversity in Ankole
By Charne Rossouw (Unistel), Dr Morné de la Rey & Dr Anton De Swardt
The introduction of Ankole cattle into South Africa occurred between 2004 and 2005 with the purchase of a base herd of three bulls, identified as BA1, BA2 and BA3, and 22 cows by President Ramaphosa from President Museveni of Uganda in 2003. As South African veterinary services prohibit the importation of cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, from countries with reportable diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, Brucellosis, TB and others, the cattle were relocated to Sirima Quarantine Centre within the Ol-Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, a recognized quarantine facility approved by the South African authorities. There, Dr Morné de la Rey, through conventional embryo flushing, produced embryos. These embryos were imported into South Africa following the strict veterinary protocol. The embryos were implanted into recipient cattle at Embryo Plus and this started the breeding of Ankole cattle in South Africa. The first live animals were born in 2005.
An excellent article describing this journey “The Legacy of the South African Ankole” can be found in the first Journal of the Ankole Society of South Africa. At that stage, in 2018, the Society started off with 26 stud members with a total of 710 registered Ankole cattle.
Advancements in genetics for Ankole cattle: the importance of introducing new bloodlines
The Ankole is one of Africa’s most recognisable and respected cattle breeds, known for its hardiness, adaptability, and ability to perform under tough conditions. These strengths didn’t happen by chance; they are the result of generations of natural selection and careful breeding. In recent years, a new challenge has begun to surface: how can we enhance the breed while maintaining its genetic diversity? This is where the comprehension of inbreeding and genetic diversity becomes crucial, not as a complex scientific issue, but as a factor that directly influences herd performance. Over the past decade, breeders have started tracking and managing the genetics of their herds more closely. One key trend that has emerged is that many herds are becoming more closely related over time. This does not suggest ineffective breeding strategies; rather, it is a natural result of a small genetic pool, breeding within a closed or limited group and/or keeping strong bloodlines within a herd. While this can improve consistency, it also slowly reduces genetic variety.
What is inbreeding and why is it important?
In simple terms, inbreeding occurs when animals that share a familial connection are mated. The closer the relationship between the parents, the greater the inbreeding coefficient (CI) of the offspring. This indicates an increased likelihood that both gene copies originate from a common ancestor. This is significant because, over time, elevated levels of inbreeding can result in reduced fertility, slower growth rates, weaker calves, and a decrease in disease resistance. These effects may not be immediately apparent, but they gradually undermine herd performance across generations.
Putting the Ankole genetic base into perspective1
To grasp the significance of introducing new bloodlines, it is beneficial to examine the initial genetic foundation of the breed in South Africa. The original Ankole genetics that were brought into the country from 2004 to 2005 included 3 bulls and 22 cows (a total of 25 founding animals). From a genetic perspective*, this represents a rather limited starting population. By analysing these figures, we can calculate the effective population size (Ne), which indicates the amount of usable genetic diversity that is truly available.
For this initial group, the estimated effective population size is approximately 10.6. This suggests that if these genetics are used repeatedly without incorporating new bloodlines, the risk of inbreeding could increase quite rapidly. According to this estimation, the expected rate of inbreeding accumulation is about 4.7% per generation. In 2024, following a very challenging process that commenced in 2018, new genetics were brought into the country through embryos produced by Dr de la Rey in the Sirima Quarantine Centre. These genetics emanated from 10 bulls and 66 cows (a total of 76 animals). This greatly enhances the genetic foundation of the breed by raising the estimated effective population size to around 34.7. Consequently, the anticipated rate of inbreeding accumulation decreases to about 1.4% per generation, which indicates an almost 70% reduction in the rate at which inbreeding accumulates.
The most significant advantage arises when the original and new genetics are strategically combined. With a total of 14 bulls and 88 cows (102 animals), the estimated effective population size is approximately 45.3, with an expected increase in inbreeding of about 1.1% per generation. This results in an effective population size that is more than four times greater. Furthermore, there is a potential reduction of up to 77% in the rate of inbreeding accumulation compared to the original group. Practically speaking, this indicates that the introduction and integration of new bloodlines not only broadens the gene pool but also considerably decelerates the rate at which inbreeding accumulates within the population.
The hidden risk: losing what makes Ankole special
Ankole cattle are highly valued for their resilience to heat, their capacity to flourish in poor grazing conditions, and their robust resistance to diseases. These characteristics stem from genetic diversity – a broad array of genes present within the population.
If the level of diversity decreases significantly, we face the risk of:
- A decline in adaptability.
- A rise in health issues.
- An increased reliance on intensive management.
In essence, the very qualities that render Ankole cattle so valuable may begin to diminish.
Where do new bloodlines fit in?
Introducing new bloodlines, commonly referred to as outcrossing, is among the most effective methods for safeguarding and enhancing breeds. This process does not involve arbitrary crossbreeding. Instead, it entails incorporating animals that have a lower degree of relatedness to your herd while remaining faithful to the breed.
What happens when you introduce new genetics?
1. Reduced inbreeding levels
New bloodlines help to decrease the genetic relatedness among animals, effectively aiding in the “reset” of the inbreeding levels within your herd.
2. Healthier, more robust animals
You may see improvements in:
- Fertility
- Growth
- Calf survival
This phenomenon is commonly known as hybrid vigour, which holds particular significance in extensive farming practices.
3. An expanded genetic toolbox
Increased genetic diversity means:
- A wider array of selection options
- Improved capacity to adapt to environmental changes
- Enhanced long-term sustainability
A real opportunity for the Ankole breed
One of the notable advantages of the Ankole breed is its presence in various regions, each with its own unique bloodlines. This offers a significant opportunity: by thoughtfully incorporating genetics from different Ankole populations, breeders can:
- Strengthen diversity
- Reduce inbreeding
- Maintain breed identity
Finding the right balance
While new bloodlines are important, balance is key. Breeders should aim to:
- Avoid overusing a single bull, no matter how good he is.
- Introduce new genetics gradually and strategically.
- Keep selecting for the traits that matter: adaptability, fertility, and function.
The goal is not to change the breed, but to protect and strengthen it.
Looking ahead
In the last 5 to 10 years, there has been an increasing recognition of the significance of genetics in Ankole breeding. More breeders are beginning to consider more than merely choosing the best animals, they are now also inquiring how closely related their animals are, and what implications this has for the future. This change is crucial. The enduring success of the Ankole breed will rely not only on our selection choices but also on how we handle the genetics that inform those choices.
The journey to new genetics
In the second journal of the Ankole Society of South Africa 2024, Martin Joubert of Full Blood Genetics captures the journey of sourcing the next generation of Ankole in Uganda for himself, President Ramaphosa, Ntaba Nyoni Ankole, and Dr Morné de la Rey, Embryo Plus. This journey followed the same process of acquiring the cattle in Uganda and exporting them to Ol-Pejeta conservancy in Kenya where Dr de la Rey again produced a significant number of embryos for importation into South Africa. Daniël Naudé of Benella Ankole also acquired his own bulls and cows which similarly went through the same process until importation of the embryos into South Africa.
Importation of the embryos in 2024, produced from the 14 bulls and 88 cows, South African veterinary services conducted very stringent protocol. This protocol, to a certain extent, compromised the viability of some of the embryos and resulted in only approximately 35% of the embryos producing calves on the ground. As at the first quarter in 2026 only 52 male and 75 female (with a total of 127) calves have been registered from the new genetics imported in 2024. When these animals are capable of being bred with the first generation Ankole imported in 2004/2005, a Blended Generation will be created. This creates a great opportunity for the outbreeding of the first generation. Further opportunity exists with the selective breeding of the new generation genetics to create more new generation cattle that will further assist in the increase of the effective population size and decelerate the rate at which inbreeding accumulates within the population.
Final thought
Quality breeding transcends merely producing the finest animals in the present; it encompasses the responsibility of ensuring the breed remains robust for future generations. By carefully managing inbreeding and incorporating new bloodlines as necessary, Ankole breeders can guarantee that this remarkable breed not only survives but flourishes well into the future.
1 Note regarding the values utilised. The values shown above are theoretical approximations derived from the count of founding animals. They demonstrate the genetic potential and constraints of the population. In reality, the levels of inbreeding within the breed may vary and would necessitate pedigree or genomic information for accurate determination.