Animal Breeding and Genetics

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COMPARATIVE PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY CATTLE IN LARGE, MEDIUM AND SMALL SCALE FARMS: THE CASE OF ADDIS ABABA MILK SHED IN NORTH SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) ZEWDE TOLCHA DADI
The purpose of the study was to assess productive and reproductive performance of dairy cattle in large, medium and small scale farms in Debra Libanos, Wuchale and Degem districts in North Shoa Zone Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A total of 180 dairy farms dairy holding households were randomly selected from each of large, medium and small scale farms of the study areas. From each districts three sample sites or kebeles were purposively taken based on dairy potential and availability of different dairy farm scale. The survey study was conducted on randomly selected of 42 dairy farmers that have large farms (> 30 cows), 63 dairy farmers who have medium scale dairy farms (> 5 ≤ 30 cows) and 75 dairy farmers who have small scale farms (≤ 5 cows). The survey results showed that, the average daily milk yield for local and their crossbreed of different exotic blood level of 50% ,75% and >75% was 3.05±0.55, 15.56±1.17, 20.56±2.23 and 25.64±1.78 liters per days respectively. The average lactation length (months) for local and cross breeds cows with 50%, 75% and >75% blood levels were 6.57±1.80, 8.17±0.63, 8.98±0.78 and 9.49±0.83 months. The Age at first services (AFS) for local and cross breed with 50%, 75% and >75% blood level was 46.53±0.95, 20.18±0.93, 19.10±0.30 and 18.12±0.32 months. The Age at first calving (AFC) for local and exotic crossbred cows with 50%, 75% and >75% blood levels were 54.55±0.62, 28.61±0.53, 27.79±0.36 and 27.26±0.29 months respectively. The Days Open (Days) for local and crossbred cows with 50%, 75% and >75 % blood levels were 122.86±8.01, 83.13±5.63, 67.43±2.95 and 60.63±2.99 days respectively. The Calving interval (months) for local and crossbred cows with 50%, 75% and >75% blood levels were 36.31±0.63, 17.04±1.06, 12.20±0.59 and 11.35±0.51 months respectively. The Number of service preconceptions (NSC) for local and crossbreds cows with 50%, 75% and >75% blood levels were 1.46±0.49, 2.52±0.29, 2.06±0.18, 1.67±1.78 respectively. Generally, the productive and reproductive performance of all types of crossbred and local dairy cows indicated good at farm level, districts and blood levels. Therefore, the dairy sector of the study area should plan technical and institutional improvement strategies to improve management practice of dairy farms (feeding practices, health care and housing), and regularly supplying dairy inputs to improve dairy productivity and sustain the dairy industry.
ESTIMATION OF GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC PARAMETERS FOR MILK PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION TRAITS IN A DEVELOPING SYNTHETIC DAIRY CATTLE BREED AT HOLETA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) ASAMENEW AYALEW
This study was carried out to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk production and reproduction traits of synthetic dairy cattle breed development program being implemented at Holeta research center dairy farm. Data collected from 1995 through 2024 on lactation milk yield, lactation length ,daily milk yield, age at first service, age at first calving, and calving interval from experiments targeted to develop synthetic breed at Holeta Agricultural Research Center dairy herd were used for this study. The GLM procedures of SAS software were used to estimate the effect of fixed effects such as year, season and parity while regression analysis was performed to estimate crossbreeding parameters (additive, heterosis and recombination effects). Genetic components including variance covariance estimates were analyzed using WOMBAT software. A univariate mixed model for genetic Parameters and Multiple Regression Model for crossbreeding parameters was used for data analysis. The performance of dairy cattle affected by genetic and non-genetic factors. The result of fixed effects (year and genetic group) analysis showed that a significant (p<0.0001) differences in all productive and reproductive traits. Correspondingly, productive traits (LMY and DMY) and reproductive (CI) traits were also significantly (p<0.0001) influenced by parity. The traits, lactation milk yield, were sensitive to seasonal variation. The overall least squares means for lactation milk yield (LMY), daily milk yield (DMY), lactation length (LL), age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC) and, calving interval(CI)were 2140.61 ± 32.92kg, 6.89 ± 0.07kg, 316.54 ± 3.31days, 33.56 ± 0.63months, 42.78 ± 0.63months and, 469.01 ± 7.03days, respectively. Additive genetic effects were much larger than for the non-significant negative value of heterosis effect of lactation milk yield (3728 ± 139.39 kg of additive and -81.65 ± 97.98 kg of heterosis).The cross breeds were -21.51± 29.19 days, -2.29 ± 3.12 months, and -2.23 ± 3.12 months, reduced for CI, AFS and, AFC due to the additive effect of Friesian gene. Estimation of heritability for productive traits (LMY, DMY and LL) were 0.180 ± 1.00, 0.235 ± 0.053 and 0.219 ± 0.077, respectively and reproductive traits (AFS, AFC, and CI) 0.0798 ±0.034, 0.080 ±0.033and 0.180 ± 0.042, in respective order. The current result indicated that repeatability values of productive traits 0.589 ± 1.00 for LMY, 0.491± 0.227 for DMY, 0.735± 0.151 for LL, and0.23±0.01 for CI. The current study indicated that the direct genetic correlation between productive traits were positive and ranged from very weak (0.141 ± 0.073) to very strong (0.854 ± 0.304) genetic correlations. From the current study high correlation was observed in between LMY and LL (0.854 ± 0.304). The current study indicated that positive genetic correlation ranged from very weak to weak genetic correlation among reproductive traits. AFS-AFC (0.228 ± 0.172), AFS-CI (0.181 ± 0.194), AFC-CI (0.063 ± 0.02).The present study indicated that the genetic correlation among productive and reproductive traits was closely related with each other in some traits. Strong genetic correlation looked between CI-LL (0.785 ± 0.074), moderate genetic correlation between CI-LMY and AFC-LL (0.428 ± 0.098, and 0.40 ± 0.107), respectively. Thus, based on the study's findings, it was feasible to draw the conclusion that proper parental line selection and crossing should be used to create next-generation calves and improve the farm's overall management system.
EVALUATION OF AWASSI-MENZ SHEEP CROSSBREEDING PROGRAMS AT DEBRE-BIRHAN AND AMED GUYA SHEEP MULTIPLICATION AND BREED IMPROVEMENT CENTERS
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) DIRESS MUCHIE JEMBERIE
The study was conducted at Debre Birhan and Amed Guya sheep multiplication and breed improvement centers with the objective of evaluation performance of Awassi-Menz sheep crossbreeding program in the ranches. To achieve this, survey was conducted on crossbred program beneficiaries and data from the two ranches was used. Data collection conducted via questionnaire survey from respondents, focus group discussions and secondary data from ranches. A total of 104 beneficiary farmers were purposively selected and 9,840 lambs for Birth weight (5,991 at Debre Birhan and 3,849 at Amed Guya), 8,299 lambs for weaning weight (4,833 at Debre Birhan and 3,466 at Amed Guya), 4,462 ewes for lambing interval (2,995 at Debre Birhan and 1,467 at Amed Guya) and 368 ewes for age at first lambing (285 at Debre Birhan and 83 at Amed Guya) were used for analysis. The effects of different fixed factors like blood level of lambs and ewes, lamb sex, parity of dam, season of birth, year of birth, and birth type on survival rate, productive and reproductive performance were analyzed. The acceptance of crossbred lambs by the farmers, the preference of respondents on different traits and the purpose of using crossbred Awassi-Menz sheep were evaluated from Menz Gera Mider and Baso districts. The main smallholder sheep producers’ traits of interest were growth rate, body size, and color in the order of their importance. The overall average ram dissemination performances of the ranches per year were 92.76±14.29 rams. The overall birth and weaning weight of Awassi -Menz crossbred sheep in the present study was 3.65±0.009 and 16.17±0.038 kg respectively. In the present study lamb blood level (50%, 75%, 87.5% and 93.75%) parity, lamb sex and lamb birth year had very highly significant (p<0.0001) effect on birth weight and weaning weight of lambs at both centers. The overall age at first lambing and lambing interval of Awassi-Menz sheep in the present study was 425±6.92 and 436.44±2.41 days. The effect of birth year were significant (p<0.0001) on age at first lambing and lambing interval of sheep at both centers. The overall survival rate from birth to 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, 270 days and yearling age were reported to be 90.6%, 86.2%, 84.6%, 84.5% and 84.5%, respectively. It can be concluded that the higher blood level of Awassi crossbred sheep had higher body weight than the lower blood level of Awassi crossbred sheep. The lower blood level of Awassi crossbreed sheep lambs (50%) had higher survival rate than lambs with higher blood level (75% and 87.5%) Awassi-Menz crossbred lambs. Blood level effects influenced survival rates in the study and needs to be considered whenever there is a need to improve the performances of Awassi crossbred sheep breeds both at Debre Birhan and Amed Guya centers
EVALUATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED ABERGELLE GOAT BREEDING PROGRAM IN WAGHIMRA ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2022) MULATU GOBEZE ALAMIREW
Community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) are currently proved as one of the approaches used for small ruminants’ genetic improvement in developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to evaluate the overall performance of the ongoing Abergelle goat community-based breeding program using technical and socio-economic criteria. On-farm biological performance data was collected from 2013-2019. Survey data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Growth, reproduction and milk production performance data was analyzed using generalized linear model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version 9.0) software. The genetic parameters for the breeding objective traits were estimated by the Restricted Maximum Likelihood method (REML) of WOMBAT software fitting different single-trait animal models. Six single-trait animal models for growth performance and two each for reproductive and milk production traits were fitted for genetic parameters estimation. Best model was selected using log likelihood ratio test. The genetic trend was estimated by the weighted regression of the average breeding value of the animals on the year of birth for each targeted trait. Random assignment of a single buck for the paternal pedigree line was used in the genetic evaluation process as the pedigree data structure in this study was obtained from multiple sires joining. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated fitting multivariate animal models. Socio economic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in addition to direct narrations from formal and informal discussions. The overall least squares mean body weight at birth (BWt), three-month (TMWt), six-month (SMWt), nine-month (NMWt) and at yearling age (YWt) were 2.18±0.01, 7.27±0.03, 9.22±0.04, 12.16±0.04, and 15.56±0.10 kg, respectively. Location, sex of kid, birth type, season of birth, year of birth and parity of the dam were the important sources of variation for most of the growth performance traits (P<0.05). The average daily weight gain from birth to weaning (ADG1), weaning to six- month (ADG2), six to nine month (ADG3) and nine month to yearling age (ADG4) were 55.93±0.30, 21.59±0.29, 32.67±0.43, and 39.48±0.90 g/day, respectively. The overall least-squares mean of reproductive traits for litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter weight at birth (LWB), litter weight at weaning (LWW), and kidding interval (KI) were 1.04±0.00 kids, 0.99±0.01 kid, 3.18±0.01kg, 11.24±0.04kg, and 356.05±1.68 days, respectively. In addition, the overall least-squares means of milk production traits found in this study for average daily milk yield (ADMY), lactation length (LL), and ninety day milk yield (MY90D) were 410 ±2.11 ml, 72.44±28 days, and 36.92±0.19 liter, respectively. Site, season of kidding, year of kidding and parity of the dam were the most important traits affecting most of the reproductive and milk production performance traits. The total heritability (h2 t) estimates for weight at different ages were in the range of 0.28 to 0.40 at Bilaque site while 0.15 to 0.38 at Saziba site from selected models, respectively. Heritability estimates were in the rage of, 0.03±0.19 to 0.13±0.08 for reproductive traits and total heritability estimates for milk production traits were in the range of 0.05 to 0.20. The genetic correlations for growth traits ranged from 0.04 (BWt-NMWt) to 0.85 (TMWt-SMWt) but it was higher than the phenotypic correlation values. Genetic trend values were positive (P<0.05) for growth traits except BWt, no change (P>0.05) for reproductive traits and moderately higher (P<0.05) for milk production traits. The mean flock size of cooperative members was increased by more than 37% while reduced by 20% for non-members during the program implementation period. Even though the cooperatives build relatively strong institutional and financial capacity in the short run, they still require sustainable technical and financial support to run the breeding program. In the future, optimizing genetic evaluation methods like considering uncertain sire, economic selection index and improving mating ratio are suggested for maximizing overall benefit of the breeding program. Improving feeding and overall management assisted with strong reproductive biotechnology tools like estrus synchronization and artificial insemination are suggested for improving reproduction traits.
EVALUATION OF GENOTYPE BY ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS ON GROWTH AND EGG PRODUCTION TRAITS OF TROPICALLY ADAPTED CHICKEN BREEDS UNDER SMALLHOLDER PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN TWO DISTRICTS OF TIGRAY REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) BISRAT TSEGAYE TEKLU
The aim of the study was to evaluate genotype by environment interactions (GEI) on growth and egg production traits of tropically adapted chicken breeds under smallholder production systems. The study was conducted in Kelte-Awlaelo and Seharti-Samre districts of eastern and south eastern zones of Tigray region, Ethiopia. Improved Horro, Kuroiler, Koekoek, Sasso and S-RIR chickens were used as experimental animals. Two Villages per district were purposively selected. From each Village, 40 households (HHs) were involved in the experiment and each HHs received 25 birds of a randomly selected breeds. The data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of R v.3.6.1 running on RStudio version 1.2.5001. Sasso chickens had higher (P <0.001) weight at 90, 120 and 150 days while, Kuroiler were superior (P <0.001) at 180 days and ADG than the other breeds. District significantly (P <0.05) affected the body weight of chickens only at certain ages. Male chickens performed better (P <0.05) than females across all ages. Among the male chickens, Kokekoek and Horro were inferior (P <0.05) in body weight at all ages. Sasso and S-RIR chickens reared in Seharti Samre district performed better (P <0.001) than Kelte-Awlaelo in most of the body weight measurements. Koekoek chicken had higher (P <0.001) HDEP% to 30 weeks as compared to Horro and Sasso chickens reared in Kelte-Awlaelo district. Except for S-RIR, Horro chicken had higher (P <0.05) HHEP% to 30 weeks than the rest breeds reared in Saharti-Samre district. Sasso chickens had lower (P <0.05) mean AFE as compared with the other breeds reared in Kelte-Awlaelo district. Chickens reared in Kelte-Awlaelo district were superior (P <0.001) than those in Seharti-Samre on egg production traits. Except for Sasso and Horro all chicken breeds attained earlier maturity in Seharti-Samre district than in Kelte-Awlaelo. All chicken breeds had higher (P <0.01) HDEP% and HHEP% (except S-RIR) to 30 weeks in Kelte-Awlaelo district than Saharti-Samre. Significant difference was observed for breed by environment/district interaction on the studied growth and egg production traits. The three way interactions between breed, district and sex factors were found to be significant only for the growth trait of ADG. Sasso followed by Kuroiler breeds are the best options to improve meat productivity of both districts, while Koekoek and S-RIR are preferable breeds to enhance egg productivity in Kelte-Awlaelo and Seharti-Samre districts, respectively.
GENETIC AND NON-GENETIC FACTORS AFFECTING SURVIVABILITY, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BOER AND CENTRAL HIGHLAND GOATS AND THEIR CROSSES REARED AT ATAYE FARM, NORTH SHOA, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2017) AMINE MUSTEFA
This study was conducted at Ataye site of Debre-Birhan Agricultural Research Center. Data pertained to512 kids/ yearlings of Boer (B), Central Highland Goats (CHG), and F1 (B X CHG), F2 (a) (F1 X F1), F2 (b) (B X F1), were collected from 381 kiddings, recorded between 2012 and 2017. The study was aimed to access the effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on growth, reproductive and survivability performances of the above genotypes. The data was analyzed using GLM of SAS (9.0) to investigate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors (dam parity, sex, year, season and type of birth) affecting body weight and daily weight gain from birth to 1 year of age, litter size and weight at birth and at weaning. Non-parametric tests were used to investigate the genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the conception, kidding and abortion rates. Survival analysis study was carried out using Weibull proportional hazards models using Survival Kit version 6.0 and chi square sub-dividing analysis using SAS (9.0) was used to access the genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the survival of the kids from birth to yearling age. Similarly Animal model were used for the estimation of genetic parameters and sire ranking based on their breeding value estimates using WOMBAT®. The overall least-squares means for body weight (kg) at birth, at weaning, at six months and at yearling and body weight gain to weaning, weaning to six-months and six months to yearling (grams) were 2.68±0.04, 9.11±0.19, 11.69±0.26, 16.41±0.38, 69.73±1.89, 30.48±1.54 and 24.33±1.21 respectively. Genotype and all the studied non genetic factors affected the body weight and weight gain from birth to yearling age. However, parity of the doe only influenced body weight gain six month to yearling. Weaning weights were not affected by sex of the kids. Yearling weights were not affected by breed and season of birth. Similarly season of birth did not affect six-month weight. The overall conception, kidding and abortion (%) of the does were recorded to be 48.75, 77.05 and 20.49 respectively. Genetic and non-genetic factors influence the studied traits but kidding and abortion percentages were not affected significantly by mating season similarly conception (%) were not affected by mating weight. The overall least-squares means for litter size at birth was (1.40±0.03), at weaning was (0.67±0.03), litter weight (kg) at birth was (3.63±0.07) and at weaning was (10.68±0.28) respectively. The traits were not affected by parity. Similarly litter size at birth and at weaning were not affected by breed of the doe and season of kidding. Litter size at birth was not affected by year of kidding while litter weight at weaning was not affected by type of birth. The overall least squares means for body weight at mating and at kidding (kg) of the does were 26.52±0.40 and 28.04±0.39 respectively. These traits were affected by breed of the does and year of mating year but not by season of mating. The heritability estimates ranged were slightly over estimated due to small sample size. The h2 among the (B and F1) for body weight at birth, at weaning, at six-months and at yearling ages were (0.43±0.28 and 0.73±0.17), (0.78±0.50 and 0.67±0.27), (0.75±0.52 and 0.65±0.27) and (0.23±0.70 and 0.65±0.27). Similarly genetic and phenotypic correlations were also over estimated. Sires were also ranked based on their estimated breeding values for body weight from birth to yearling age among the B and F1. The overall survival (%) of the kids at day 4, 90, 180 and 365 were 73.99, 53.57, 47.98 and 40.27 respectively. The above survivability traits were not influenced by sex and parity. Similarly survival at day 90 and 180 were not affected by genotype. Season of birth also influenced the survivability of the kids at the 4th day (after birth). So from this study we can conclude that the overall growth, reproductive and survivability performances of all the studied genotypes were quit low which indicating their sub-optimal adaptability to the study area. Thus, evaluating the genotypes based on a large sample size reared across different locations under different management is desired to come to a definite conclusion. Similarly as the yearling weight were highly correlated with the weaning and six month weight then we can therefore consider them as indicator traits for yearling weight of the goats. The findings also showed variation across bucks (based on their EBV) for the growth traits.
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND TRADITIONAL BREEDING PRACTICES OF FARMERS REARING INDIGENOUS GOATS IN HIDABU ABOTE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) GENANEW ABERA
The study was conducted to describe morphological features, traditional breeding practices of farmers rearing indigenous goat types at Hidabu Abote district. The district was stratified in to highland, midland and lowland. Multi-stage sampling techniques were applied to select the kebeles and households within each agroecology. The research was composed of data collection using semi-structured questionnaire and morphological characterization. One hundred twenty households were randomly selected representing three agro-ecologies. For morphological studies, 342 goats of both sexes were used. Based on morphometrical traits, 16 structural and functional indices were calculated. The results indicated that the average goat flock size in highland, midland and lowland were 3.8, 7.2 and 12.0, respectively; and were significantly different between agro-ecologies. The overall average age at first kidding in highland, midland, and lowland was 11.4, 11.1 and 11.1 months, respectively. The kidding interval of goats in highland, midland, and lowland was 8.9, 8.4 and 8.2 months, respectively. Average number of litter size in highland, midland, and lowland was 1.5, 1.6, and 1.9, respectively. Disease, feed, and water shortage were reported as major constraints. From qualitative traits, the dominant coat color patterns of both sexes were plain (78.7%), pied (21.1%) and spotted (0.3%). The frequently observed coat color types were white (53.2%), brown (26.6%) and light red (15.5%). The proportion of goats with horns and wattles was 95.9% and 71.9, respectively. About 69% of the goats were characterized with concave head profile. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among sex, agro-ecology, and age, except ear length (P>0.05) for body weight and some morphometric traits. The respective average body weight (kg) of both sexes in highland, midland and lowland was 31.1, 30.1 and 32.3 being significantly different from each other. Goats reared in the lowland had higher (p<0.05) body length, chest depth and rump length values compared with those raised in other agro-ecologies. Similarly, scrotal circumference was higher (p<0.05) in lowland goats than in the highland. Heart girth was found to be the best independent variable to predict body weight for both sexes (R2=95%). The structural indices result showed that the body index was 0.87, which classify the studied goats as medigline goat. The compact index value 4.6, which classified them as meat type. However, the proportionality index (107) which is above 100 classifying them as dairy type breeds. In conclusion, the highest values for body weight, body length, chest depth, rump length and scrotal circumference were observed in those goats raised in the lowland. It is thus recommended to focus on the genetic and management improvement strategies of goats reared in the lowland.
ON FARM PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS GOAT TYPES REARED IN BENA-TSEMAY AND DEBUB ARI DISTRICTS OF SOUTHERN REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2022) ZERIHUN FISEHA BOGALE
The study was conducted to physically characterize indigenous goats’ population in Debub Ari and Bena-Tsemay districts (Debub Omo zone). A total of 180 households were identified by using multi-stage (purposive and systematic) sampling techniques for characterization of the survey study. 630 mature goats were sampled randomly for the phenotypic characterization. The average (±SD) goat flock size per house hold was 14.97±7.4 for Bena Tsemay district which was significantly (P<0.01) higher than the 9.07±6.3 heads/household for Debub Ari district. Saving was primary purpose of male goats rearing both in Debub Ari and Bena-Tsemay districts. Similarly respondents in Debub Ari keep female goats primarily for asset (saving) with the index value of 0.53 whereas respondents in Bena-Tsemay district keep female goats for income source with the index value of 0.53. The major criteria considered for selecting breeding bucks and does in both districts were physical appearance and body conformation. Natural pasture was the main feed source and rivers, pond and rain water were main water source for goats. The age at puberty of male goats was 10.19±1.17, and 11.71±0.81 months while for females it was 9.92±0.93 and 11.45±1.04 months in Debub Ari and Bena-Tsemay, respectively. The average kidding interval for Debub Ari and Bena Tsemay goat was 8.57±0.62 and 8.09±0.65 months, respectively. Disease and feed shortage were the major production constraints in studied districts. 52.38% of goats in Debub Ari and 60% of goats in Bena-Tsemay had patchy coat color pattern. Among the sampled goat population, brown coat color was dominant one on both sexes. Majority of female and male goats were horned and had horizontally carried ear orientation both in Debub Ari and bena Tsemay districts. Fully matured (4ppi) female goats (30.46± 0.58, 25.15±0.16) and male goats (34.43±0.35, 33.33±0.81) had average body weight (kg) in Debub Ari and Bena-Tsemay district respectively. Positive correlation (P<0.01) were observed among most of the different body measurements for female and male goats population. Paunch girth (52.3%) and chest girth (77.3%) had high coefficient of determination (R2) for female and male respectively to estimate live body weight from others linear body measurements. The result revealed that the goats’ populations were related with woyito-guji goats’ type and more suitable for meat than milk production but it needs genotypic characterization to classify the goats’ breed clearly.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION AND CARCASS EVALUATION OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP IN GEBIRESU ZONE, AFAR REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) TE’AME GEBREMEDHIN FITWI
The study was carried out in Gela’alo and Gewane districts of Afar region to phenotypically characterize indigenous sheep populations and evaluate the carcass components. To this effect, 180 households from six kebeles were selected randomly. Five hundred forty sheep of both sexes were sampled for phenotypic characterization study. Based on the morphometric measurements, structural indices were also calculated. Qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS while quantitative data using SAS version 9. The result showed that most of the household heads were male (76.6%) and pastoral system was the dominant production system. Among the livestock species, goats accounted for the largest proportion followed by sheep and the average goats and sheep flock size was 28.5 and 24.2, respectively. The primary purpose of keeping sheep was for milk consumption. The major feed resources for sheep during wet and dry seasons were communal natural pasture. Rivers and tape water were the main water sources for sheep in the study area. The households mainly practiced natural and uncontrolled mating systems. Selection was practiced both for male and female sheep. Appearance, color, age and sexual maturity were the most important traits in selecting breeding rams while milk yield, lambing interval, appearance and lamb growth were reported as traits given emphasis in choosing breeding ewes across the two studied districts. Feed shortages, recurrent drought, and disease were the major sheep production constraints in both districts. The most observed coat color pattern of sampled sheep populations were plain (50.7%) and patchy (49.3%) while the most observed coat color type was different color with white dominant (38.5%) followed by fawn (23.5%). All sampled sheep populations were characterized by short and coarse hair without a horn. Age, sex and districts had significant (P<0.05) effect on most of the quantitative variables. The average body weight (kg), body length, chest girth, height wither, rump height and tail length (cm) was 33.6, 57.4, 68.8, 62.1, 61.2 and 21.2, respectively. Positive and highly significant (P<0.01) correlations were observed between quantitative traits in both sexes except ear length. Heart girth and rump height were the best-fitted traits to predict body weight for ram and ewe, respectively. The structural indices indicated that the sampled sheep could be characterized as dairy type. The overall dressing percentage and carcass weight were 37.0% and 8.59 kg respectively. It is concluded that understanding the phenotypic characterization, husbandry practices and carcass characteristics of indigenous sheep can be used as base line data in designing a sustainable breeding program in the study area.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION AND OESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION OF INDIGENOUS GOATS FOR IMPROVED REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN MIRAB-ABAYA AND ARBAMINCH-ZURIA DISTRICTS OF GAMO-GOFA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2018) DEREJE DEA
The present study was designed with the objectives of describing the goat production systems, morphological features and evaluate oestrus synchronization of indigenous goats in Arba-Minch-Zuria and Mirab-Abaya districts of Gamo-Gofa zone. A total of 120 HHs were interviewed for goat production survey while 615 goats (151 males and 464 females) were used for morphological measurements and 60 does for oestrus synchronization from the two districts. The results confirmed that goats ranked 2nd after cattle and were primarily produced for generating income and saving purposes in the study areas. The major mating system was uncontrolled (80.83%). Goat castration (65.83%) and culling (93.33%) were common goat breeding practices whereas kid weaning was not well practiced. Body size, pedigree and prolificacy were the magnificent selection criteria for breeding does whereas color incorporated for bucks. Communal browsing areas were the main goat feed sources in which January through March months were commonly known for the feed shortage. Male goats have higher off-take rate at early age (94.17%) to the market than females (82.50%). Feed shortage (30.37%) followed by labor limitation (23.33%) and land shortage (15.56%) were the major goat production challenges identified. In morphological measurements, the predominant coat color pattern was plain for male (63.82%) and (70.02%) for females. Brown coat color for males (32.24%) and (34.05%) for females was possessed predominantly. Horned goats were (86.84% for males and 94.55% for females), toggle (14.47% for males and 9.85% for females), bearded (53.29% for males and 22.06% for females. The prominent horn shape was straight (93.13% for males and 93.11% for females). About 61.83% of male and 78.95% of female goats were characterized by possessing obliquely upward horn orientation. Except Body length, males possessed higher values for Body weight, Rump lenght, Head width and Horn length than females (P<0.05). Goats in Arbaminch-Zuriya district possessed significantly (P<0.05) higher values on BW, BL, CG, RW, HeW and SC than in Mirab Abaya district. In males, positive and strong association were depicted between BW and BL (r=0.68), WH (r=0.62), CG (r=0.61) and HoL (r=0.63). In case of females, positive and moderate associations were observed between BW and CG (r=0.38), RW(r=0.37) and HeL (r=0.31). CG was a single importance variable in the prediction of body weight in females where as BL in males (P<0.05). Regarding to the oestrus synchronization, about 85% of the does expressed oestrus within 55.68±19.92 hours after hormone administration where as the overall conception rate was 81.67%. Doe body weight, body condition, parity and age have significantly affected (P<0.05) oestrous response and conception rate where as location has not significantly (P>0.05) affected. Morphological traits’ variations suggest that this goat ecotype has not yet been selected through structured selective breeding. While conducting oestrus synchronization on goat, considering body weight, BCS, parity and age factors was better to reflect higher conception rate.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION, HUSBANDRY PRACTICES, AND DEFINING BREEDING OBJECTIVE TRAITS OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP POPULATIONS IN MESKAN AND SODDO DISTRICTS, EAST GURAGE ZONE, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) WOLYU SHIFA
The study was conducted in the Meskan and Soddo districts of the East Gurage Zone of the Central Ethiopia Regional State with the objectives of identifying and generating comprehensive information on husbandry practices, breeding objectives, selection criteria, and phenotypic characterization of indigenous sheep populations under the smallholder management system. A total of 176 households were selected randomly from Meskan and Soddo districts (3 rural kebeles from each district), and 270 mature sheep (30 males and 240 females) were taken for morphometric data. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed to gather survey data focused on husbandry practices, breeding objectives, selection criteria, and breeding performance of indigenous sheep. Following the survey study, own flock animal ranking and group-animal ranking experiments were carried out, 15 breeding ewes and 15 breeding rams from each district were randomly selected and used for the group animal ranking experiment. The survey data were analysed using SPSS version 26, while indices were computed for the ranked data. The own flock and group ranking experiment data were analysed using SAS version 9.4. Based on the investigated results, the top two objectives of keeping sheep were income generation and ceremonies in the study area. The most prevalent feed source for sheep during the dry season was grazing aftermath (57%), while in the wet season, natural pasture (65.91%) was common in the study area. The major source of water during the dry season was pipe water (57.39%), whereas in the wet season, rivers (31.82%) were mostly used in the study area. The larger portion of the respondents in both districts practiced castration. The majority of sheep keepers (89.20%) in the study area practiced uncontrolled mating due to a lack of awareness (67.95%). The majority of the respondents (57.95%) do not have their own breeding ram; however, they use rams from communal grazing lands. The average weaning age of indigenous sheep lambs in the study area was 3.56 months. The proportion of breeding males to breeding females was 1:3.39. The mean age of male sheep at sexual maturity and female sheep at first service in the study area was 7.74 and 8.07 months, respectively. The mean values of age at first lambing, lambing interval, number of lamb crops per ewe life time, and reproductive lifespan of ewe were 13.75 months, 7.96 months, 11.99 lambs, and 8.23 years, respectively. The major selection criteria of the farmers for breeding rams was body size (index = 0.28), while twining ability for breeding ewes with an index value of 0.31. The most important health affecting problem for sheep was diarrhea (index = 0.30). The main constraint that hindered sheep productivity in the study area was disease incidence, with index values of 0.27. It was found that in the own-flock ranking experiment, sheep keepers focused on the animal's reproductive performance and mothering ability, while in the group-animal ranking experiment, they selected the animals based on observed physical appearances like coat colour and body size. Heart girth was the single best predictor of body weight (P < 0.001) in the study area. In general, frequent twinning, shorter lambing intervals, and higher adult body weight are the most desirable traits, which may also be used as selection criteria. Considering the producer's objective traits in the current study would help in designing sheep productive performance improvements in the study area.
SOME PHYISICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CASHMERE TYPE FIBERS FROM LONG HAIRED ARSI BALE GOATS
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) BALI TESFAYE SORA
A study was carried out to access the fleece quality parameters of long haired Arsi Bale goats which are reared at Dinsho and Agarfa District of Oromia regional state. The long haired Arsi Bale goats are raised in the cold areas of Bale zone and have very long hairs and warm undercoat. Earlier studies have indicated that the goats are raised primarily for their skin and pelt which are used as saddle cover and also for covering of furniture’s in the home. This study was carried out to access the physical and chemical quality of the fleece obtained from healthy bucks and does reared in the selected kebeles of Dinsho and Agarfa District. Proportional sampling method was used to identify the bucks and does. Based on the same 21 bucks from Dinsho district and 17 from Agarfa district and 29 does from Dinsho district and 33 from Agarfa district were selected. The age of the bucks was determined by their dentition and only adult (>1 year old) goats were selected for the fleece. The fleeces were combed from the neck region of the healthy goats and then they were packed in plastic bags before being transported to the laboratory at School of Animal and Range Science laboratory. The fleece were studied for staple length, numbers of crimps/inch, numbers of hairy, hetero and fine fibers, average diameter of the hetero, hairy and fine fibers (in micron). The chemical properties of the fleece included the percentages of ash, wax, scouring yield and burr. The numbers of fleece and their diameter was accessed using a digital microscope at 40X magnification. The data were analyzed for the effects of location and sex on the fleece quality parameters. The findings for the bucks indicated that there were differences (P<0.05) only in crimp, numbers of pure fibers and scouring yield of the bucks reared in the two locations. While among the does there were differences P<0.05 in staple length, crimp, fiber diameters (hairy, hetero and pure), in percentages of ash, scouring yield and wax of the bucks reared in the two Districts. The study also shows that there was a wide variation in the numbers of pure, hetero and hairy fleece while, differences in the fiber diameter were minimum. The study pertaining to the effects of sex further indicated that there were differences in the fiber wax parameter among the bucks and does raised at Dinsho. In Agarfa district there were differences (P<0.05) in staple length, numbers of hairy fibers, hetero and pure fibers, hetero and pure fiber diameters. The within sex differences due to location can be due to the adaptability of the goats to the locations and also due to crossings of the bucks/does with the short haired Arsi Bale goats. The differences between the sexes within locations can be ascribed due to sexual dimporphism and also the traditional breeding objectives which differ across the sexes. There was a possibility of selection within the genotypes for the parameters studied and thereafter further improving the same.