Community‐based alternative breeding plans for indigenous sheep breeds in four agro‐ecological zones of Ethiopia

Abstract

Based on the results of participatory approaches to define traits in the breeding objectives, four scenarios of ram selection and ram use were compared via deterministic modelling of breeding plans for community-based sheep breeding programmes in four diverse agro-ecological regions of Ethiopia. The regions (and production systems) were Afar (pastoral/agro-pastoral), Bonga and Horro (both mixed crop-livestock) and Menz (sheep-barley). The schemes or scenarios differed in terms of selection intensity and duration of ram use. The predicted genetic gains per year in yearling weight (kilograms) were comparable across the schemes but differed among the breeds and ranged from 0.399 to 0.440 in Afar, 0.813 to 0.894 in Bonga, 0.850 to 0.940 in Horro, and 0.616 to 0.699 in Menz. The genetic gains per year in number of lambs born per ewe bred ranged from 0.009 to 0.010 in both Bonga and Horro. The predicted genetic gain in the proportion of lambs weaned per ewe joined was nearly comparable in all breeds ranging from 0.008 to 0.011. The genetic gain per year in milk yield of Afar breed was in the order of 0.018 to 0.020 kg, while the genetic gain per generation for greasy fleece weight (kg) ranged from 0.016 to 0.024 in Menz. Generally, strong selection and shorter duration of ram use for breeding were the preferred options. The expected genetic gains are satisfactory but largely rely on accurate and continuous pedigree and performance recording.

Efficiency of selection for body weight in a cooperative village breeding program of Menz sheep under smallholder farming system

“…0.92 kg divided by a generation interval of 1.5 years) is comparable to the genetic gain in 6-month weight (0.34 kg) in an experimental nucleus flock of Menz sheep (Gizaw et al, 2007). Our results are also within the range of genetic gains estimated for yearling weight in simulation studies in Menz sheep (0.39 to 0.94 kg per year, Mirkena et al, 2012;0.49 to 0.70 kg per year, Gizaw et al, 2009). However, the genetic gain in 3-month weight in the current study is much higher than annual genetic trend of 0.028 kg reported for village flocks of Djallonke sheep in a central nucleus breeding program in Cote d'Ivoire (Yapi-Gnaorè et al, 1997).…”

“…The majority (65.5%) of the farmers in Menz keep rams for breeding and for later fattening, and 61.8% own more than one ram while owning 14.9 breeding ewes on the average (Getachew et al, 2010). Yet, a ram service period of 2 years has been suggested as an optimal ram use for maximum genetic progress in Menz sheep (Mirkena et al, 2012). Improvements in the above traditional breeding practices are expected to improve genetic progress.…”

Application of genomic data to assist a community-based breeding program: A preliminary study of coat color genetics in Morada Nova sheep

“…The program provides alternative solutions to maximize the conservation and use of this locally adapted breed, while applying and integrating contemporary animal breeding methods with popular knowledge to support the socio-economic development of regional communities (Mirkena et al, 2012). According to the Brazilian Association of Sheep Breeders (ARCO), the breed is composed of 151 registered purebred flocks distributed across 102 municipalities (McManus et al, 2013) mainly in Northeastern Brazil (ARCO, 2014).…”

Systèmes d’élevage ovin et gestion des ressources génétiques animales dans la région du Plateau central du Burkina Faso

“…This can be a handicap for awareness actions or training and therefore innovation. In addition, data recording by farmers, as needed for overall improvement of management and selective breeding, might be difficult to implement (Kosgey and Okeyo, 2007;Mirkena et al, 2012 raising animals, the ethnic group characterization proves still significantly related to animal production practices.…”