This study was aimed to generate organized information on physical characteristics and prediction of live weight using linear body measurements of indigenous sheep types in five districts of Bale zone (Agarfa, Dinsh, Goba, Sawena and Dawe Kechan). The study was based on field measurements. Multistage purposive sampling was used for selection of districts. Three kebeles from each districts were sampled using simple random sampling techniques. About 600 matured sheep (540 female and 60 male) sheep were sampled for body measurements and qualitative character based on four age category (1 PPI, 2 PPI, 3 PPI and 4 PPI). Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical analysis system. On the identified dimensions, the sheep population in highland district were found within the same region of space and were clustered with long tailed, no toggle, black and red coat color, no wattle, lateral ear form and forward and upright horn orientation while sheep in Sawena and Dawe kechan were characterized as patch coat color pattern with black and white color, polled horn, dropped ear form, fat rumped tail type, concave head profile and absence of toggle and presence of wattle. The highest correlation between chest girth and body weight both for male and female sheep indicate that chest girth is the best variable for predicting live weight than other measurements. The overall mean of body weight, body length, heart girth, wither height, pelvic width, ear length, rump height, rump length, rump width and head length were 26 Kg, 48.75 cm, 71.4 cm, 62.1 cm, 16.32 cm, 11.1 cm, 63.66 cm, 14.04 cm,16.86 cm and 9.11 cm, respectively. The best predicted body weight (BW) Model for female sheep is -13.53+0.40HG+0.25BL-0.17HL and Model for male sheep (BW) is -13.66+0.41HG+0.39SC+0.27RL-0.11PW. The present phenotypic characterization reveals that, the existence of diversity of sheep genetic resource across different agro-ecologies. Arsi bale sheep breed is distributed in highland districts and black head Somali sheep is distributed in lowlands of bale zone.

Genetic diversity of Trifolium quartinianum accessions from Ethiopia were studied using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 24 accessions, divided into three populations were used for the present study. DNA was extracted from a bulk of samples using a modified CTAB method. A total of 84 bands were amplified by the four di-nucleotid ISSR primers in the overall experimental materials. Genetic diversity was high at the species level (PPL = 100%, h = 0.29, I = 0.44). Comparison of population-based genetic diversity showed that Gojam population was the most diverse. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed high level of within-population variation with 83.13%. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) and Principal Coordinate (PCO) analysis showed that only accessions of T. quartinianum from Gondar formed separate cluster. The study clearly indicates the presence of variable genotypes with their unique identity that deserve conservation attention.

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A study was conducted on productive and reproductive performances of indigenous chicken population and traits preference of smallholder farmers in Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia for assessing productive and reproductive performances of indigenous chicken population and farmers traits preference in study area. The study was conducted in five selected districts (Madda Walabu, Delomena, Berbere, Ginnir and Sinana districts) of Bale zone, south east Ethiopia. For this study, a total of 390 household having indigenous chicken population were sampled using simple random sampling techniques. The collected data were coded and inserted on Microsoft excel spread sheet and analysed using SAS software version 9.13. Growth rate and egg production traits are the first and second selection criteria preferred by farmers/pastoralists across study districts. Weight is the main trait preference by farmers/pastoralist both for male and female chicken across all study districts. The average age of indigenous cockerels and pullets at first mating and laying was 4.30 ± 0.1 and 4.50 ± 0.1 months, respectively. The number of clutches per hen and eggs per clutch and total eggs produced per hen per year were 4.0 ± 0.12, and 20.18 ± 0.66 eggs, respectively. The hatchability and survival rate of chicks were 76.25 and 74.35%, respectively. The result of study indicated that farmers/pastoralists in study area were practices different selection criteria and trait preference both for male and female chicken. Therefore, the study suggested that there is an opportunity for genetic improvement through selection and there is a need of in-depth breed characterization and the relationship of trait preference of farmers/pastoralists with economical values of the traits.