Thesis

ON-STATION PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS OF GUMUZ SHEEP AT METEMA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SUB CENTER IN AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

2022-01-25T00:00:00Z

ON-STATION PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS OF GUMUZ SHEEP AT METEMA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SUB CENTER IN AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA Wubie Atalel The study was conducted with the aim of performance evaluation and developing live weight prediction equation for Gumuz sheep under on-station management. The data collected at Metema Gumuz sheep station from 2016 to 2021 was used to evaluate growth, reproductive performance, survival rate and to develop prediction equations from linear measurements for Gumuz sheep. A general linear model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version, 9.4) was used to analyzed growth, reproductive performance and linear body measurements. Survival rate was analyzed using GENMOD procedure of SAS with logit link function and the live weight prediction equations were developed using stepwise regression procedure of SAS. The overall least squares mean for birth (BW), one-month (OMW), three-month (WMW), six-month (SMW), nine-month (NMW) and yearling weight (YW) of Gumuz sheep were 2.40±0.04, 5.80±0.10, 9.29±0.21, 13.33±0.38, 15.62±0.50, and 18.40±0.62kg, respectively. Sex, dam parity, ewe postpartum weight, birth type, season, and year of birth were sources of variation that affect lamb growth performance at various stages. The overall least-squares means of body weight gain from birth to one month, one month to three-month, three-month to nine-month, nine-month to twelve-month and birth to yearling were 100.50±3.33,75.78±2.05, 48.02±1.6, 40.72±1.32, 39.63±1.53, and 42.22±1.72 g/day, respectively. The average age at first service and lambing of Gumuz sheep were 293.94±20.34 and 442.02±21.20 days, respectively. Birth year, ewe postpartum weight, and dam parity were important factors that affected age at first service and lambing. The mean lambing interval (LI) for Gumuz sheep was 289.59±10.92 days whereas; liter size (LS) and annual reproductive rate (ARR) were 1.21±0.03, and 1.59±0.11, respectively. The least-squares mean of survival rate from viii birth to one, one to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to twelve and birth twelve months of ages were 87.11± 0.41, 79.81±0.35, 74.78±0.32, 68.78±0.34 and 54.85±0.32%, respectively. Season of birth, year of birth, birth type, lamb's birth weight, and dam parity had a considerable influence on the survival rate of lambs. Age was a highly significant (P<0.001) source of variation for all body measurements while sex significantly affected (P<0.01) some traits (WH, FCL, and HL) only. Most body measurements were positively and highly (P<0.001) correlated with body weight. The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that HG and BL were the utmost important variables to predict live body weight for one month male and female, respectively; BL and WH were important variables to predict live body weight for three-month male and female, respectively; PH was important variables to predict live body weight for six-month male and female, WH was an important predictors for nine month male and female, HG were important predictors for yearling male and female lambs. Thus, where there is no access to weighing balance and in the field, the producers could use these traits to predict live weight. To improve the growth performance and survival rate of lambs, better management should be given especially for lambs born in dry season, twin birth and for those lambs born with light weight

PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP POPULATIONS AND DEFINING BREEDING OBJECTIVES IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF CENTRAL AND WEST GONDAR ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

2022-01-25T00:00:00Z

PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP POPULATIONS AND DEFINING BREEDING OBJECTIVES IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF CENTRAL AND WEST GONDAR ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA. Guadie Goshu This study was targeted to phenotypically characterize the indigenous sheep populations and defining breeding objectives in selected districts of central and west Gondar zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. The survey was undertaken on 187 households (HHs) selected by random sampling. Body measurements were taken from 193 sheep, 26 male and 167 female. Dentition had used to estimate the age of the sheep. Data were assembled through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and field observations. Survey data and body weight and linear body measurement data and structural indices were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 (2011). Source of cash income, meat for home consumption, savings, ceremony/gift/ and manure were the major purpose of keeping sheep. The average sheep flock size owned per household of Alefa was 10.86±0.59 lower than Quara 12.5±1.11 and higher than Takusa 9.92±0.46. Color, appearance and growth rate were used for male selection while Color, appearance, growth and twinning ability was the preferred traits for breeding ewe in all districts. The overall average age at first mating in males was 5.09±0.06 while for female was 5.02±0.05 months. Age at first lambing was 10.01±0.05, Lambing interval was 7.36±0.05, reproductive life span of ewes and average number of lambing per ewe’s lifetime were 18.07 ± 0.15 years and 16± 0.24 lambs, respectively. Mating of sheep in Alefa, Takusa and Quara in 85.71%, 58.46% and 15.38% of the cases was) practiced controlled mating system, respectively. Major sheep production constraints were disease, predator, feed shortage, water shortage and market in order of importance. The overall body hair coat colour pattern was 74.16%, 13.47% and 11.92% for plain, patchy and spotted, respectively. Red (38.34%), brown (27.46%), red with white (17.1%), white (8.29%), black with white (5.7%) brown with white head (2.07 %)), red with white head (0.52%) and white with black neck (0.52%) were the common coat colors observed. xi District has effect on live body weight and linear body measurements. Body weight of Quara sheep was significantly (p<0.05) heavier than Alefa and in turn Alefa was heavier than Takusa. Effect of Ago-ecologies were significant (p<0.05) on body weight and linear body measurements. Body weight of lowland sheep heavier than midland sheep. Sex had also significant effect (p<0.05) and Body weight of male sheep heavier than female sheep. Positive and significant (P<0.05) correlations were observed between body weight and most of the body measurements for traits observed in this study of indigenous sheep populations. The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that body length and chest girth were the utmost important variables to predict live bodyweight of ewes and rams, respectively. District had a significant influence (p<0.05) on length index, body index, proportionality, transverse pelvic, longitudinal pelvic, dactyl thorax index, body ratio, relative cannon thickness index, over increase index and width slope. Strong correlations were observed between structural indices calculated from the same linear body measurements. The study revealed that indigenous sheep in the study areas are longilinear, convex curve. However, further studies are needed to clearly classify the indigenous sheep types into their production purpose.

On Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Dairy Cows Conformation Traits and Breeding Practices of Farmers in Selected Districts of Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

2022-01-25T00:00:00Z

On Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Dairy Cows Conformation Traits and Breeding Practices of Farmers in Selected Districts of Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia Tiruwork Chekol The study was conducted in three selected districts of Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. This study was conducted to characterize dairy cow’s conformation traits and identify breeding practices of farmers in the study area. A total of 302 dairy cows, Local (269) and Crossbreds (33) were purposively selected for measurement of conformation traits, and a total of 182 dairy cows owners were randomly selected and interviewed with pre-tested semi structured questionnaires to obtain general information. Conformation trait measurements were taken in centimeter (cm) in the morning before milking and prior to any feed intake using graduated measuring stick and flexible meter tape. SPSS (version 25) was used to analyze qualitative/survey data and SAS (2021, version 9.4) for quantitative/measured traits. The results revealed that Udder depth were ranked first for selecting dairy cows followed by teat length. Next to teat length, teat thickness were identified. The primary challenge for dairy cows production identified in the study area was low genetic potential and 50% of the respondents was used local bull for mating service. In highland, midland and low land areas, 47.3%, 39.0% and 73.3% of respondents used natural mating by using local bull, respectively. All qualitative traits were laid intermediate levels (4-6 point) except foot angle which is found Very low angle (1-3) (39.7%) and Udder depth (UD) was Deep udder (1-3) (39.7%). Crossbreds of dairy cows had a significant effect (P<0.01) on BD, CW, RW, RUW and TL. Breed had a significant effect (P<0.01) on conformation traits. From phenotypic characterization of dairy cows conformation traits, Angularity and muscularity have no significant difference between them (p>0.05), but other traits BD, CW, RW, RUW, TT, FUA, HQ, RLS and RTP have significant difference (p<0.05). From comparing of local and crossbred dairy cows by using conformation traits, Rear Legs Set, Hock quality, Fore Udder x Attachment and Rear Teat Placement have no significant difference among themselves (p>0.05), in other ways BD, CW, RW, RUW, TT and RTP have significant difference (p<0.05). The conformational traits data obtained in this study are vital and valuable tool for husbandry practices of dairy cows and is useful tool in future strategies and should be well utilized to improve the performance of dairy cows. From this research, it could be concluded that there were significant differences of conformation traits between crossbred dairy and local dairy cows. Hence, characterization of conformation traits of dairy cows can be a vital tool to make decisions on dairy cows’ selection and breed improvemen

Estimation of Genetic Parameter for Growth and Reproductive Performance Traits and Designing Conservation Strategies for Fogera Cattle Breed

2021-09-29T00:00:00Z

Estimation of Genetic Parameter for Growth and Reproductive Performance Traits and Designing Conservation Strategies for Fogera Cattle Breed Assemu Tesfa Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Growth and Reproductive Performance Traits and Designing Conservation Strategies for Fogera Cattle Breed Assemu Tesfa*I,2, Dilip Kumar', Solomon Abegaz' and Getinet Mekuriaw':' 'Andassa Livestock Research Center, P.O.Box 27 Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 2Bahir Dar University Colleges of Agriculture and Environmental Science, P.O.Box 5501 Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 3Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), P.O.Box 30726 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and "lnternational Livestock Research Institute (lLRI), P.O.Box 5689 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The study was initiated to estimate the genetic and non-genetic parameters of growth and reproductive traits and designing conservation strategies for Fogera cattle breed. The study was conducted in Fogera, Dera and Bahir Dar Zuria districts as well as Andassa Livestock Research Center of Amhara region. Two types of data viz. on-station and on-farm was used for the study. The questioner data targeting to on-farm reproductive performance of the breed was collected during 2014. A total of 150 households were purposively selected and interviewed from five peasant association. Whereas the on-station data covers the period from 1992 to 2013 (a total of 22 years) that was collected from farm records of the center. Two meetings (one national and one regional) were conducted to identify the major actors and their tasks on the conservation strategy. The fixed effects for the on-station data were birth year, season, sex, parity, mating type and dam source, while district, parity and age of the dam were used for the on-farm data. A general linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2002) was used to analyse the performance data. Genetic parameters (heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations) were estimated with ASREML software. The least squares mean (LSM) and standard errors (SE) for on-station data of birth and weaning weight were 21. 35±0. 09 and 102. 16±0. 77kg, respectively; whereas age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval and number of service per consumption were 38. 93±0. 72 month, 51.76 ± 0.72 month, 19.53±0.32 month and 1.17±0.01, respectively. The genetic parameter estimate was done for birth and weaning weight by four animal models those fit direct, maternal and permanent environment as a random effect with sex, season and year as fixed effects. The direct heritability estimate for birth and weaning weight of the current study with the inclusion of all random effects was 0.2088±0.0695and 0.1813±0.0539, respectively. The phenotypic and genetic correlation between BW and WW was O.0613±0. 0075 and O.0712±0. 0343, respectively. The LSM±SE for on-farm performance of Fogera cattle breed for AFS, AFC, Cl and NSC was report . '!'Z4>rtiL05month, 51.4±0.05 month, l\H( """"i'~" . ~,l' '/<\\t.m. 1,e" I .."" IX .•..• - ••!'. - _~ r, 'I,.. "- "-~'v/ ~.•.•.•.~< • '~~. AY...>~-7~~~~'.:·<¥. ~.: t, ! '* I ,;;'1".'- ".•~~", 1\ \\ . ..., ~ .( ;, \~.". 'v:) \, .. "J..'i' .... ".•.... i/ \~. "":,,>'1' -''\ ". . •• ,," ~I \"0, ,--.... f'tt ~'). 1'-:6. ~tf ~~~". ..••.•. ~o ....1:.1 •.•. ';,\,'b