ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses tropical Africa can be subdivided into five ecological zones: very arid; arid-to-semiarid; semiarid-to-humid, without tsetse; temperate highland; and humid, tsetse-infested. Climatic, nutritive, and disease/parasite environments characteristic of much of tropical Africa generally favor the use of cattle with varying genetic percentages contributed by indigenous breeds. A comprehensive program of characterization for the Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in these ecological zones is necessary to provide the basis for effective selection among breeds, for use in rotational crossbreeding systems, and as contributors to composite breeds. The limited genetic potential of indigenous cattle often has been quoted as a major constraint to beef and milk production in Africa. The temperate highlands are suitable for all types of cattle in terms of climate and basic pasture quality. The tsetse fly that transmits animal trypanosomiasis is a major constraint to cattle production in the humid African lowlands.
