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ON-FARM PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SHEKO BREED OF CATTLE AND THEIR HABITAT IN BENCH MAJI ZONE, ETHIOPIA M Sc Thesis
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... Farmers in the mid-altitude agroecological zone keep the Sheko cattle breed primarily for draught power followed by milk and income whereas farmers in the lowland agroecological zones often keep the breed for milk and as a source of income (Bayou et al, 2014). However, the breed is endangered, estimated at around 4,000 heads due to gradual interbreeding with local zebu, castration of the male at an early age, shift of production systems and shrinkage of grazing land (Takele, 2005). Studies done by Hanotte et al (2000) indicated that approximately 90% of the inspected Sheko bulls had their particular taurine allele almost 10% replaced by the Zebu-originated indicine allele, showing an alarming amount of crossbreeding Zebu. ...
... Due to their aggressive behaviour, Sheko cattle are difficult to harness and control by old persons, women, children and disabled persons. In addition, the early castration of bulls exercised by some farmers to control their aggressive behaviour seriously limits pure breeding of Sheko cattle (Takele, 2005). The most important constraints affecting Sheko cattle production are their sparse distribution, absence of conservation efforts, declining interest of the community in Sheko cattle due to their aggressive behaviour, inbreeding and hornlessness, which makes them difficult to restrain using rope (Elias, 2008;Bayou et al, 2014). ...
... Production and reproduction performances of the Sheko cattle breed(Takele, 2005) ...
The great diversity of agroecological conditions and production systems present in Ethiopia contributes to the country's large livestock population and makes it suitable for various forms of livestock production. The Ethiopian livestock sector provides significant economic and social benefits at household levels and to the national economy. Ethiopia has 32 recognized indigenous cattle breeds, of which the Sheko is a known trypano-tolerant breed found in the southwest of the country. However, in recent times, the Sheko population has been declining mainly due to interbreeding with local Zebu cattle and to a shift in the production system. This paper aims to review and illustrate the current status and management practices of the Sheko cattle breed towards conserving and improving the breed, and the production system. The feed resources in the Sheko home area are natural pasture and crop residues, with limited utilization of cultivated improved forage. Husbandry practices such as feeding, watering, housing and veterinary services are priority areas where improvements are needed. Enhancing the conservation and improvement of the breed would greatly benefit from the active improvement of various stakeholders, including governmental policymakers and non-governmental organizations. Therefore giving special attention to enhancing the management systems in the breed's home area is crucial. This involves the direct engagement of research centres, extension workers; and higher learning institutions in proximity to the area all aimed at the conservation and improvement of the Sheko cattle breed.
... On-farm AFC was reported for some indigenous cattle types by different authors. Takele [24] reported 54.1 months for Sheko breed whereas, Dereje [25] reported 53.1 months for Raya -Sanga cattle. Similarly, Zewdu [26] also reported 54.7 and 53.4 months of AFC for Wegera and Fogera cattle, respectively. ...
... The lifetime productivity of a cow is influenced by age at puberty, age at first calving and calving interval. The mean reported reproductive lifespan of local cattle breeding bulls (LBB) 7.9 years in the district which is longer than that reported LB of 6.5 year by Takele [24] , for Sheko breeding bulls. The mean age at castration (CA) for local male animals in the study area was 5.74 years that is comparable with the reported value (5.4 year) for kereyu cattle by Shiferaw [22] and to the reported value (5.7) for Sheko male animals by Takele [24] . ...
... The mean reported reproductive lifespan of local cattle breeding bulls (LBB) 7.9 years in the district which is longer than that reported LB of 6.5 year by Takele [24] , for Sheko breeding bulls. The mean age at castration (CA) for local male animals in the study area was 5.74 years that is comparable with the reported value (5.4 year) for kereyu cattle by Shiferaw [22] and to the reported value (5.7) for Sheko male animals by Takele [24] . According to the farmers, oxen become docile and more powerful after castration in addition to control of breeding and better price (Table 6). ...
This study was conducted in Soro District, Hadiya Zone of Southern
Ethiopia with the objective of assessing reproductive and productive
performances of local cows under farmer’s Management. Soro district
was selected based on high cattle population. A total of 200 households
owning cattle were selected randomly and the questionnaire was
administered. The mean cattle holding per household were 13.22 ± 1.70
in the district. The mean reported age at sexual maturity for local female
and male cattle were respectively 49.0 and 44.7 in Soro district. The
mean age at first calving, in months, for local female cattle in the study
area was 54.3. The mean daily milk production per cow was 1.20 liter of
milk per day. An average lactation length, peak milk yield, lactation milk
yield were 11.08, 1.76 and 328.61 respectively. Natural mating was the
familiar and major type of mating in the district. Shortage of feed, and
water, diseases, recurrent draught, infrastructures and other constraints
like land shortage, low capital, and shortage of extension services were
major cattle production constraints. Therefore, introduction of improved
forages and the proper utilization of crop residues should be emphasized
for improving reproductive and productive performances of the cattle
production in the area
... Typically, Ethiopian smallholder farms make use of indigenous breeds of Zebu cattle, deployed in pairs, to prepare seed beds and for threshing. Horses, donkeys and mules tend only to be used to plough crop land when oxen are unavailable when they are paired with the same species or with others(Taye 2005;Urga & Abayneh 2007;Chanie et al. 2012). Generally, these equine species (horses, donkeys and mules) are deployed as modes of transport throughout most parts of the country. ...
Working animals have a crucial socio-economic role to play for many low-income communities. One such example is in Ethiopia where virtually all the draught power for agricultural production derives from working animals. However, despite this, the welfare status of working animals in this country remains poor. Hence, a clear understanding of the major welfare problems faced by working animals is key to helping improve their welfare status and to maximise their economic contribution. This systematic literature review encompasses 28 studies published between 2010–2024, that address the role of working animals and the factors impinging on their welfare. Suitability of papers for inclusion (and exclusion) involved use of a PRISMA flow diagram. In this review, we also sought to define the exact role of working animals with them found to be used not only for draught power but also as a direct source of food as well as income. A lack of medical care was also highlighted with animals afforded limited access to feed and water, subjected to regular physical abuse, and deprived of access to shelter. Insufficient assessment of welfare and improper methods of data analysis were also found to be an issue, factors that require to be addressed by future researchers to help improve the welfare of working animals in this region
... The decline in population size and deterioration in its genetic merit of Fogera cattle breed in the Lake Tana belt is due to a paradigm shift in the production system mainly from transhumance livestock dominant crop-livestock production to crop dominant crop -livestock production (Kebede et al. 2014). Sheko cattle breed is also endangered (Hanotte et al., 2000;Taye, 2005). Molecular genetic evidence showed that about 90% of the sampled Sheko bulls have had their specific taurine allele replaced by indicine allele confirming an alarming introgression of Zebu genes (Hanotte et al., 2000). ...
... As expected conformation traits measurements in males were higher than those in the females except NL (Table 3). Different reports revealed that the mean values of indigenous males are usually greater than their counter female groups (Taye 2005;Garoma 2006). ...
Mammo M, Alemayehu K, Tassew A. 2017. Conformation traits of dairy cattle populations in selected Districts of Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia. Biodiversitas 18: 1669-1679. The study was conducted in three selected districts of northwestern Amhara. The objective was to quantify the characteristics of conformation traits of dairy cattle populations at smallholder farmers' level. 279 cattle keepers were selected for measurement of conformation traits. About 105 indigenous cattle from each district and 42 crossbred female cattle were considered for measurement. SPSS (2007) was used to analyze qualitative data and SAS (2014) for quantitative data. The results revealed that the conformation trait measurements (cm) of indigenous cattle had significant variation (P< 0.001) on neck length for dairy type (54.07 ± 4.80) and meat type (51.96 ± 4.05) traits. The width at the point of the shoulder was 7.72 ±1.96, 6.60 ± 1.68 and 5.35 ± 1.61 for meat type, dual type and for dairy type cattle, respectively. A male cattle had significant variation over female except neck length. All qualitative traits were laid intermediate levels (4-6 point) except crossbred which was 63.64 %. About 30% of dairy type cattle had high rear udder depth and 43.33% dairy type cattle had strong central ligament. Crossbred cattle had 42.1% sickled rear leg. In general, about 57.5% dairy type cattle and 95.2% crossbred cattle have very angular shape as 75% of meat type cattle lack angularity. From this research, it could be concluded that there were significant differences of conformation traits between dairy type and beef type cattle from the cattle population considered in the study for developing specialized dairy or beef breed types. As well as indigenous dairy type cattle are comparable to other known dairy cattle breeds like Kanan, Fogera and Barka. However, farmers did not exercise in developing product specific and specialized breeds with their corresponding production system than multipurpose. Thus, selection and appropriate planed breeding program is crucial for future dairy cattle genetic improvement to match genotype and environment and meet producers' production objectives. Hence, conformation traits can be a vital tool to make decisions on cattle selection and breed improvement.
... Cattle production in the research area has been hampered by socioeconomic issues such as a lack of cash to engage in livestock breeding and production, labor scarcity for herding, and the cost of supplementary feeds. Takele [24] identified these primary restrictions as the factors affecting cattle output in the Benchi maji zone. ...
This study was conducted to characterize cattle husbandry practices in Hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia. Three districts were purposively selected. A total of 180 households were selected randomly. Six focus group discussions with key informants were held. There were significant (p<0.05) differences across the districts in livestock number per households. Cattle are the dominant livestock species, mainly used for milk and draught power. The mean cattle holding per household were 10.87±1.16, 6.8±.40 and 15.22±1.70 in Shashogo, Misha and Soro districts respectively. The most popular farming system in the areas was mixed crop-livestock production. Local female and male cattle reached sexual maturity in 49.0 and 44.7 months in Shashogo, 52.7 and 48.8 months in Misha, and 50.1 and 46.8 months in Soro districts, respectively. Local female cattle in the research area had an average age at first calving of 53.2 months in Shashogo, 59.1 months in Misha, and 54.3 months in Soro districts. In the districts, natural mating was the most common and common method of mating. Cattle production was hampered by a lack of feed and water, illnesses, repeated draughts, infrastructure, and other factors such as land scarcity, poor capital, and a lack of agricultural extension.
This study was conducted to determine the biological and environmental factors affecting milk yield and dry matter consumption and to analyze the effects of these factors on animal production. The study determined the variables affecting milk yield as input factors, such as lactation period, number of days of gestation, age, TMR dry matter ratio, and environmental factors. As a result of regression analyses, it was determined that each 1% increase in the TMR dry matter ratio decreased the milk yield by 0.9148 L, and each increase in the number of lactations increased the daily milk yield by 3.753 L. However, it was observed that the increase in the number of lactation days caused a decrease in milk production, and milk yield decreased as the gestation period extended. The most appropriate independent variable values were determined using statistical optimization analyses to maximize milk yield and optimize dry matter consumption. As a result of the analyses, the optimum value for the TMR dry matter ratio was calculated as 46.77%, 5 for lactation number, 6 for lactation day number, 230 days for gestation period, 55.8 months for cow age, and 20 °C for air temperature. The optimum values of the dependent variables were determined to be 61.145 L for daily milk yield and 19.033 units for dry matter consumption. The prediction intervals provided by the model served as reference points for future observations and showed that milk production was strongly affected by certain environmental and biological factors.
Characterization on overall Begait cattle circumstances.
Ethiopia has a large farm animal genetic diversity. The existence of this diversity is due in large part to its geographical location near the historical entry point of many livestock populations from Asia, its diverse topographic and climatic conditions, the huge livestock population size and the wide range in production systems. Livestock diversity in Ethiopia has suffered considerably due to the many wars, civil strife and cyclical famines. Growing transhumance and migrations in the lower altitude areas have resulted in massive interbreeding between traditionally isolated livestock populations. In the highlands, government sponsored crossbreeding programmes have severely compromised the sustenance of genetic diversity in indigenous livestock, especially cattle and poultry. Yet not much has been done to document the existing indigenous livestock breeds and the impacts of agricultural Development, increasing human populations and the booms and bursts in livestock population numbers associated with periodic good years and bad years. The national effort in Ethiopia towards systematic characterisation and documentation of livestock biodiversity has been negligible let alone planned interventions to curb the continuing threat of loss of genetic diversity. There is no national focal point to co-ordinate and monitor activities in characterisation, documentation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources in Ethiopia, and the two major sources of systematic information on characterization of Ethiopian AnGR are administered by international research institutions who have no functional links with any one national institution. This rather substantive national task therefore remains unattended for, and needs serious attention from researchers, policy makers and Development practitioners. There is a need to identify and mandate a national institution to be the focal point of such activities. This is indeed essential because, both inter-species and intra-species (between and within breeds) diversity provide better household livelihood security for the majority of rural and urban households. There is cause for concern on the low level of research and Development interest on the characterisation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources in this country.
Trypanosomosis is a widespread constraint on livestock production, mixed farming and human health in tropical Africa. The disease, however, is just one of many constraints faced by rural people and its relative importance depends on specific circumstances. Control may be achieved by a variety of autonomous and/or purposive measures. Autonomous control includes the multiple environmental impacts of human population growth, the expansion of agriculture, settlements and road networks, and the elimination of wildlife, through hunting and habitat loss. Purposive control measures fall into three categories: those related to animal husbandry and breeding; those directed against the trypanosome; and those targeted at the vector: tsetse (Glossina spp.). For purposive disease control measures to be sustained and effective in the reduction in poverty, disease control must be a priority concern of livestock producers and/or affected communities, and the benefits of increased production and/or improved human health must exceed the costs of control.
Comparisons of productivity of indigenous cattle in five production environments in three subSaharan countries are presented. Factors discussed, in addition to herd age and sex structure, are reproductive performance, calf and cow mortality, calf growth to one year and milk offtake for human consumption. These parameters are used to construct indices which provide an indication of cow performance for each system studied. -Authors
Trypanosomosis, or sleeping sickness, is one of the most important livestock diseases in Africa. Some West African cattle breeds show a degree of resistance to a trypanosome infection: they are trypanotolerant. At the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya, an F2 experiment has been established to unravel the genetic background of trypanotolerance. This thesis had two main aims: First to determine the genetic background of trypanotolerance, and second to investigate opportunities to incorporate this information in a breeding scheme to increase performance of cattle in tsetse-infested areas. Based on the results from the F2 experiment, several traits were defined, which reflected features of trypanotolerant cattle. Subsequently, based on preliminary results from an analysis to determine chromosome fractions containing genes (QTL) involved in trypanotolerance performed at ILRI, the mode of expression of these QTL was investigated and one of the QTL was found to be maternally imprinted. These QTL could be utilised in an introgression scheme, but also for within breed selection. Both options were investigated. When introgressing QTL for disease resistance the optimal number of backcross generations from genetic or economic point of view was found to be different. The number of animals required is increasing very rapidly with increasing number of QTL to be introgressed. Within breed selection to increase production under constant infection pressure can be applied with or without aid of QTL for disease resistance. Mass selection on production under infection can be applied if no QTL information is available. A non-linear selection response is achieved in both potential production and disease resistance. Important advantage of QTL information for disease resistance is that animals can be selected outside the infected environment. In implementing a breeding scheme it is important to take into account that social-economic values and environments are very different in large parts of Africa as compared to Western countries. This thesis has demonstrated that there are good opportunities for using selection to improve the results of local farming systems.
The State of the World survey of animal genetic resources (SoWAnGR) has highlighted the necessity to reconcile the varying systems applied by different organisations for the identification and categorisation of endangered breeds of livestock. Currently, many of these systems are irreconcilable. In particular, there is a need to interpret national breed populations in the context of their international population. Rare Breeds International has developed and applied a system which overcomes these problems, and which coincides with criteria applied by FAO. The system utilises three criteria, namely distinctiveness, local adaptation, and numerical scarcity. Numerical scarcity is measured preferentially by the number of annual female registrations rather than the number of breeding females. The system embodies simplicity, accuracy and effectiveness, based on global data, and will enable more effective interpretation of SoWAnGR reports.
The recently published World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity (WWL-DAD) provides the first comprehensive list of endangered livestock breeds worldwide (FAO/LTNEP 1993). This document will function as a global early warning system to help prevent the erosion of livestock genetic resources. Seven species are covered, namely ass, buffalo, cattle, goat, horse, pig and sheep. Within these species, breeds at risk are defined as critical (The Critical Breeds List) or endangered (The Endangered Breeds List) based on the number of breeding females. Although the statistics for these seven species are still incomplete at the time of going to press, over 390 breeds are already known to be at risk.