Exploration of production conditions: a step towards the development of a community-based breeding program for Butana cattle (original) (raw)
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Journal of Dairy Science, 2022
Butana is one of the local dairy cattle breeds of Sudan commonly kept by smallholder producers. This breed has been strongly promoted to advance the dairy production sector in the country. The main problem, however, is the lack of a systematic breeding program that involves smallholder producers. The aim of the current study was to identify the most promising design for a breeding program to improve the milk yield performance of Butana cattle under smallholder production conditions. In total, 3 breeding scenarios, including (1) the use of farm bulls, (2) the use of village bulls, and (3) the rotational use of village bulls within village groups, were simulated using a stochastic simulation approach. For each breeding scenario, 3 selection methods for bulls were considered, namely random mating, phenotypic selection, and selection based on estimated breeding value (EBV). The results showed that no genetic gain was realized with random mating in all breeding scenarios. In the farm bull breeding scenario, annual genetic gain (standard deviation units) ranged from 0.01 to 0.19 (phenotypic selection) and from 0.01 to 0.39 (selection based on EBV). In the village bull breeding scenarios, the annual genetic gain ranged from 0.01 to 0.21 (phenotypic selection) and 0.01 to 0.45 (selection based on EBV). The lowest genetic gain was realized for the rotational use of village bulls among villages within groups. Through the rotational use of village bulls, however, a higher genetic variance was maintained than in the farm and village bull breeding scenarios. We concluded that a village bull breeding program with selection based on EBV of young bulls was the most promising breeding design for achieving the breeding goal. Further studies are needed to assess the organizational feasibility of such a breeding program to ensure the participation of smallholder producers and its sustainability.
Community Breeding Practice and the Challenges in Dairy Cattle Management in North Gondar, Ethiopia
— Dairy product is an important feed supplementation. However, rearing dairy cattle is became a challenge especially at smallholder level due to lack of indigenous dairy cattle breeds. As a result, the country has established cross breeding program since 1990`s. Nevertheless, it is not uniform and does not consider smallholder farmers. Therefore, this research initiated to identify the breeding practice and the main challenges of smallholder farmers in rearing dairy cattle. For this purpose, first systematic field survey was conducted to generate preliminary information and breed judgment. Then two study areas were selected purposively based on milk production potential and dairy breed characteristics. Two focus group discussions per study area were conducted. Then, randomly 200 respondents per study area were selected. Finally, individual interview and field observation were employed to generate the needed data. Even though there is no established breeding scheme, the smallholder farmers practiced breed improvement by either cross breeding or straight breeding. They implemented Cross breeding to improve milk productivity using 50-100% exotic blood sire/semen. Pure exotic semens were preferred for AI (Artificial insemination). The smallholder framers do not select indigenous caw for cross breeding practice. However, they selected indigenous caw/heifer for replacement based on pedigree history, body stature, and udder vein. Regarding mating system, more than 50% of the respondent exercise control-mating system in their herd. Mostly this was done by pertaining the sire and dam together for a single day. In addition to this partiality in preference of sire, less productive individual cattle culled from the herd by castration, sell and slaughtering. The management system, early castration and lack of accurate estrus detection were the major challenges in dairy cattle development. As the result of this survey in the two study areas, indiscriminate cross breeding without consideration of the production system, body size and blood levels were predominant. Therefore, successive training for smallholder farmers on breeding system is highly recommended.
2024
Implementing an appropriate breeding program is crucial to control fluctuation in performance, enhance adaptation, and further improve the crossbred population of dairy cattle. Five alternative breeding programs (BPs) were modeled considering available breeding units in the study area, the existing crossbreeding practices, and the future prospects of dairy research and development in Ethiopia. The study targeted 143,576 crossbred cows of 54,822 smallholder households in the Arsi, West Shewa, and North Shewa zones of the Oromia Region, as well as the North Shewa zone of the Amhara Region. The alternative BPs include conventional on-station progeny testing (SPT), conventional on-farm progeny testing (FPT), conventional on-station and on-farm progeny testing (SFPT), genomic selection (GS), and genomic progeny testing (GPT). Input parameters for modeling the BPs were taken from the analysis of long-term data obtained from the Holetta Agricultural Research Center and a survey conducted in the study area. ZPLAN+ software was used to predict estimates of genetic gain (GG) and discounted profit for goal traits. The predicted genetic gains (GGs) for milk yield (MY) per year were 34.52 kg, 49.63 kg, 29.35 kg, 76.16 kg, and 77.51 kg for SPT, FPT, SFPT, GS, and GPT, respectively. The GGs of the other goal traits range from 0.69 to 1.19 days per year for age at first calving, from 1.20 to 2.35 days per year for calving interval, and from 0.06 to 0.12 days per year for herd life. Compared to conventional BPs, genomic systems (GPT and GS) enhanced the GG of MY by 53%-164%, reduced generation interval by up to 21%, and improved the accuracy of test bull selection from 0.33 to 0.43. The discounted profit of the BPs varied from 249.58 Ethiopian Birr (ETB, 1 USD = 39.55696 ETB) per year in SPT to 689.79 ETB per year in GS. Genomic selection outperforms SPT, SFPT, and FPT by 266, 227%, and 138% of discounted profit, respectively. Community-based crossbreeding accompanied by GS and gradual support with progeny testing (GPT) is recommended as the main way forward to attain better genetic progress in dairy farms in Ethiopia and similar scenarios in other tropical countries.
2020
The study was conducted from January 2018 to May 2018 with the objective of studying breeding practices, reproductive and productive performance of dairy cows in Gimbi district, west Wollega zone. A total of 120 dairy producers were randomly selected from four representative kebeles (Chuta Giyorgisi, Lelisa Yesus, Bikiltu Tokuma and Enango Dembali) and interviewed. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to gather the required data and the collected data were analyzed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS Version 20). As the study result indicated about 89% of the households were used natural mating as method of breeding and only 3% of them were utilized AI but they perceived as it had no worth. The mean age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC) and calving interval (CI) of local cows was 42.23 ± 7.4; 51.73 ± 6.97 and 15.03 ± 1.04, respectively. And 29.02 ± 2.65; 38.14 ± 5.43 and 14.48 ± 1.19 was the mean age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC) and calving interval (CI) of crossbred cows, respectively in the study area. All the reproduction parameters included in this study were significantly different at (P<0.05) between breeds. Moreover, 1.18 ± 0.52 and 5.83 ± 0.28 liters were the daily milk yield of local and crossbred dairy cows, respectively. The indigenous dairy cow has 7.15 ± 0.13 months of lactation length, whereas 8.87 ± 0.18 months were the lactation length of crossbred dairy cow. Comparing with the recommended standard, the dairy cows of the study area were familiarized with poor reproductive and productive potential. Thus, the benefits derived from dairy cows were not commensurate with their number. Since genetic improvement of livestock has a major impact on animal productivity and reproductively, its effects are permanent, cumulative and usually highly cost effective; practicing advanced breeding methods (cross breeding though AI and sound estrus detection), upgrading genetic makeup of the animal (crossing local with Holstein Friesian) and practicing good management system in the study area is highly needed.
Assessment of Dairy Cattle Breeding Practices in West Shoa Zone
This study was conducted to assess the breeding practices of dairy cattle in Adea Berga, Ejerie and Metarobi districts. The study was undertaken using questionnaire-based survey and a participatory group discussion method. A total of 180 households were participated in the interview. A Structured questionnaire was used to describe qualitative and quantitative traits. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Frequency distribution procedures were used for statistical analysis of survey. Result from the survey indicated that the mean herd size of cattle per household was 6.42 ± 0.50, 8.10 ± 0.69 and 9.04 ± 0.76 in Adea Berga, Ejerie and Metarobi districts respectively. All of the respondents owned dairy cow and about 40%, 61.70% and 10% of the households had 1.92 (ranging 1-10), 2.41 (ranging1-10) and 3.28 (ranging 1-16) crossed cows in Adea Berga, Ejerie and Metarobi districts respectively. About 48.30%, 56.70% and 40.70% of the respondent practiced AI services in Ada Berga, Ejerie and Metarobi respectively, while 3.30% of the respondents practiced synchronization in Ada Berga and Ejerie. On the contrary, about 26.70%, 21.70% and 53.30% of household were practiced uncontrolled natural mating in Ada Berga, Ejerie and Metarobi respectively. Milk production was the primary objective of keeping livestock whereas Metarobi farmers keep their livestock for drought and milk purpose. Finally, the information on breeding practice assessment in these districts may serve as a basis for improvement of dairy cows and may help for designing appropriate breeding strategies of dairy cattle.
Advances in Life Science and Technology, 2015
The study was conducted from May to October 2014 in selected districts of Soro woreda, Hdiya Zone, Southern, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to assess breeding technology on dairy cattle production at small holder level. To under taken the study, purposive sampling method was used. Data was obtained from both primary and secondary sources and the collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The study was found 398.76 average total livestock and 350.3 cattle per households in TLU. The study showed that only 39% of the respondents used artificial insemination for breeding their dairy cattle while 61% did not use. Respectively,42 %, 23%, 19% and 16% of respondents have said artificial insemination has advantage over natural mating because artificial insemination can use in accelerating introduction of new genetics, has low cost in comparison of bull price, no need of bull management and low disease transmission. On the other hand, due to heat period of cow...
Breeding practices in indigenous dairy cattle breeds in Northern Amhara, Ethiopia
This study was aimed at understanding of the general indigenous dairy cattle breeding activities of the community and major conformational traits particularly used by smallholder farmers in selecting better indigenous dairy cows. The study was conducted in Fogera, Dembia and Wogera districts of northern Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Interviews using pre-tested structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to generate the data. SPSS was employed to analyze the data. The most common mating system in all sites was natural controlled mating, but free mating and AI also exist in small frequencies. The first breeding objective of the community was obtaining better milk yield. The farmers' trait preferences was mostly includes higher milk off-take, faster growth rate, adaptability to local feed conditions and diseases, and breeding ability, traction and butter fat yield of the cattle. In doing so, Fogera cattle breed was preferred by most of the participants of the study, due to better expression of the dairy traits. Among the selection criteria of farmers for indigenous dairy cows, navel size, udder and teat size, and pelvic width were commonly stated and hold the first three ranks of selection in all districts.
This paper was aimed to review and indicate cattle breeding practices and marketing system, traditional selection practice of the pastoralist and the gaps that exist in south and southeast pastoral areas of Ethiopia. In pastoral areas the environment is good for livestock rearing and large numbers of livestock population are found. But there is no such a satisfactory cattle's breeding system in the areas in general. Almost all pastoralists practiced natural, unplanned and uncontrolled mating system. Livestock marketing system in a pastoral area is not well organized, the production system was not market-oriented and infrastructure required for marketing is not enough. Therefore, in pastoral areas, there is a need to select appropriate breeding method in line with vibrant and effective breeding policies for natural service for sustainable and effective animal breeding practice. Open nucleus breeding schemes would be a good strategy for cattle breed improvement where there is no adequate expertise and structures for operation of an effective improvement program based on artificial insemination (AI) and recording in the whole population. In conclusion, animal breeders, policy designers and any development practitioners have to give due attention to transform the existing pastoral breeding practices targeting towards livestock productivity and production improvement of local cattle breeds to improve the livelihood of the pastoralist sustainably.
Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal, 2015
A survey was conducted on 75 smallholder householders and 205 sample cows selected by random and purposive sampling with the objectives of investigating the challenges, potential and opportunities of production of indigenous Horro and their F1 Jersey cross heifers and cows. The means ± SDs of total farmland, cropland and grazing land holding of individual smallholder householders of the study area was 3.6±3.16, 2.86±2.51 and 0.81±0.89 respectively. The means and SDs of livestock species holdings were 17±11.66, 2.9±3.98, 2.9±4.83, 1.8 ±1.66 and 9.3±8.97 for cattle, sheep, goats, equine and poultry respectively. Breeding method of cattle used was within the proportion of 63.8% and 36.2% for natural mating, and for bull and AI services respectively for on-farm production, while both AI and controlled natural mating were used in the Research Center. The means±SD of NSPC for Horro and their Jersey crossbred heifers was 2.1±1.09 and 1.7±0.94 respectively, where NSPC was significantly influenced by breed of cattle at P<0.05. The overall mean ± SE milk off-take per cow per day for local and crossbred cows were 1.5±0.01 and 5.02±0.12 litres, respectively. Feeding management, breed of animal and site of production significantly influenced milk productivity at P<0.001 both in wet and dry seasons of the year.
International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Bioresearch, 2019
The present study was conducted to detect technical and practical obstacles of crossbred dairy cattle breeders in Mossay area (Nyala) and provide recommendation for possible solution. A total of 32 (thirty two) dairy farms in area of the study were surveyed during October to December 2018. Data was obtained by structured questionnaire designed properly to cover the objectives of the study. Also, personal interview with breeders and researchers observations were used. Then, data was processed and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages) by SPSS (version.11). The results revealed that 57% of the breeders did not use records. The majority (92%) of the respondents agreed that feed stuffs raw materials prices were the major hinder and limiting milk production factor in the area of the study. Moreover, (78%) and (74%) of the breeders respectively, confirmed that the weak connection between extension authority and the farmers was a real obstacle. Whereas, (60%) of them replied that weakness of infrastructure was one of the milk production constraints in area of the study. However, only (23%) of the breeders claimed that outbreak of infectious diseases was a part of obstacles in area of study. The results elucidated that the most frequent infectious diseases were: blood parasites (babesiosis and Theileriosis) (42.6%), then brucellosis (22.2%), Mastitis 22.2% and Foot and mouth disease 13.2%. The results revealed that (78%) of the respondents extremely agreed and (13%) of them agreed that weak marketing system and brokers control over retail prices were the main constraints facing the farmers in area of the study. Furthermore, (67%) of the breeders demonstrated that absence of regulations for milk and milk products quality control has adverse effects on marketing process in area of the study. The study detected some managerial, technical, extension, hygienic and marketing constraints facing the breeders in area of the study and suggested packages of solutions included within the recommendations.