Introduction Climate change affects livestock production and productivity, which could threaten livestock-based food security in pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems of the tropics and sub-tropics. Boran cattle breed is one of the hardiest Zebu cattle reared by Borana Oromo pastoralists for milk and meat production. However, there is limited comprensive information on production, reproduction and adaption traits of the Boran cattle in Ethiopia. Thus, this paper aims to compile the main production, reproduction and some adaptation traits of Boran cattle based on systematic review and meta-analysis of peer reviewed published and unpublished literature. Methodology A combination of systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA guideline was employed. Accordingly, out of 646 recorded articles identified through database searching, 64 were found to be eligible for production, reproduction and adaptation characteristics of the Boran cattle, 28 articles were included in qualitative systematic review while 36 articles were used for quantitative meta-analysis. Result The Boran cattle breed has the ability to survive, produce and reproduce under high ambient temperature, utilize low quality forage resources, and resist water shortage or long watering intervals and tick infestations. The review revealed that the breed employs various adaptation responses (morphological, physiological, biochemical, metabolic, cellular and molecular responses) to cope with harsh environmental conditions including climate change, rangeland degradation, seasonal feed and water shortages and high incidences of tick infestations. The meta-analysis using a random-effects model allowed provision of pooled estimates of heritability and genetic correlations for reproduction and production traits, which could be used to solve genetic prediction equations under a population level in purebred Boran cattle. In addition, heritability and genetic-correlation estimates found in the present study suggest that there is high genetic variability for most traits in Boran cattle, and that genetic progress is possible for all studied traits in this breed. Conclusion The Boran cattle breed has the ability to survive, produce and reproduce under high ambient temperature, utilize low quality forage resources, and resist water shortage or long watering intervals and tick infestations. However, currently there are several challenges such as recurrent droughts, pasture deterioration and lack of systematic selection and breeding programs that play to undermine the realization of the potential of the breed. Thus, we recommend systematic selection for enhancing the reproductive and production performances without compromising the adaptation traits of the breed coupled with improved management of rangelands.

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IntroductionClimate change has devastating effects on livestock production and productivity, which could threaten livestock-based food security in pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems of the tropics and sub-tropics. Hence, to sustain livestock production in an environment challenged by climate change, the animals must have the ability to survive and produce under extreme conditions. Boran cattle breed is one of the hardiest Zebu cattle reared by Borana Oromo pastoralists for milk and meat production. This paper aims to compile the main production, reproduction and adaptation traits of Boran cattle based on systematic review amd meta-analysis of peer reviewed and published articles on the subject.MethodologyCombination of systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA guideline was employed. Accordingly, out of 646 recorded articles identified through database searching, 64 were found to be eligible for production, reproduction and adaptation characteristics of the Boran cattle, twenty-eight articles were included in qualitative systematic review while 36 articles were used for quantitative meta-analysis.ResultBoran cattle have diversity of adaptation (morphological, physiological, biochemical, metabolic, cellular and molecular) responses to the effects of climate change induced challenges - notably high temperature and solar radiation, rangeland degradation, seasonal feed and water shortages and high incidences of tropical diseases. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model showed estimates of heritability and genetic correlations for reproduction and production traits. In addition, heritability and genetic-correlation estimates found in the present study suggest that there is high genetic variability for most traits in Boran cattle, and that genetic improvement is possible for all studied traits in this breed.ConclusionThe review revealed that Boran cattle exhibit better reproduction, production and adaption potentials as compared to other indigenous zebu cattle breeds in Ethiopia under low-land, poor pasture and water conditions. On other hand, the breed is currently challenged by adverse effects of climate change and other management factors such as high rate of genetic dilution, reduced rangeland productivity, lack of organized breed improvement programs and discriminate selection of gene pool. Thus, we recommend strategic breed improvement and genetic conservation program of Boran cattle breed in collaboration with Borana pastoralists through proper quantification of important traits and estimation of the pure Boran cattle population while controlled cross breeding strategy could be used in urban and peri-urban areas for maximum utilization of adapataion and production pottential of this breed.

Fodder trees are integral components of agroforestry system in the tropics. Indigenous fodder trees (IFT) are grown in Sidama, Ethiopia, for different purposes. However, their composition, biomass yield and socioeconomic importance are inadequately studied. The objective of this study was to assess species composition, biomass yield and socioeconomic contribution of IFT. Three districts and 12 kebeles were purposively selected, from which 273 households were randomly selected for household survey. Sixty households were randomly selected for inventory within nested quadrats of 20 x 20 m. Twenty eight IFT species belonging to 26 genera and 24 families were identified in three agro ecologies. Species richness in lowland (11.08) was significantly higher than highland (9.6) and midland (7.7) (p < 0.001). Similarly, lowland (1.5) was significantly more diverse than midland (1.2) and highland (0.8) (p < 0.001). Arundinaria alpine, Hygenia abyssinica and Erythrina brucei were dominant IFT, altogether accounted for 72.35% of the total basal area. In midland, Cordial africana, Ficus sur, Dracaena steudneri and Melleitia ferruginea were dominant species, and Acacia albida, Acacia tortolis, Balanites aegyptiaca and Cordia africana were dominant in lowland, altogether accounting for 56.1 and 76.72% of the total basal area, respectively. Biomass yield were significantly different (p < 0.05) among agro ecologies. E. brucei, D. steudneri and C. africana had the highest biomass yield in highland, midland and lowland, respectively. Farmers with large land size, small family size, practicing agroforestry, having awareness and interest about fodder trees had significantly affected the decision to have IFT. In addition to fodder supply, IFT contribute to soil fertility improvement, income source and timber production. Hence, the dominant IFT are important for maintaining biodiversity and contribute as a feed source. Further research is recommended to evaluate the nutritive value of IFT.

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