The first consists of an account of the origin and distribution of cattle throughout the tropical and sub-tropical world, citing contemporary evidence from anthropological, archaeological, historical, linguistic, livestock husbandry and genetic studies. It is a first, and therefore controversial, attempt to provide a comprehensive overview as to the origin of the very large number of tropical cattle breeds.

In the second part an attempt is made to classify and describe all major tropical and sub-tropical cattle breeds in Afria, The Americas, Asia and Oceania. The primary reasons for classification are to facilitate conservation of all these breeds and to provide basic information for the selection of those breeds most suitable for inclusion in breeding projects. Requirements for future breeding strategies and policies are discusses in the third part of the book, together with the role that biotechnology could play in future tropical cattle breeding plans.