Genetic evaluation of Ethiopian Boran cattle and their crosses with Holstein Friesian for growth performance in central Ethiopia

Abstract

Breed additive and non-additive effects, and heritabilities of birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), 6 months weight (SMWT), yearling weight (YWT), eighteen months weight (EWT), 2 years weight (TWT) and average daily weight gain from birth to 6 months (ADG1) and from 6 months to 2 years (ADG2) were estimated in Ethiopian Boran (B) cattle and their crosses with Holstein Friesian (F) in central Ethiopia. The data analysed were spread over 15 years. Ethiopian Boran were consistently lighter (p < 0.01) than the B-F crosses at all ages. Ethiopian Boran also gained lower weight than all the crosses. At birth, 50% F crosses were significantly (p < 0.01) lighter than all the other crosses. However, the differences in SMWT, YWT, EWT, TWT, ADG1 and ADG2 were all non-significant among the crosses. The individual additive breed differences between B and F breeds were positive and significant (p < 0.01) for all traits. The individual heterosis effects were significant (p < 0.05) for all traits except WWT for which the effect was non-significant. The maternal heterosis effects were significant (p < 0.01) for BWT (2.5 kg) and WWT (-3.0 kg). The heritability estimates for all traits in B and crosses were generally moderate to high indicating that there is scope for genetic improvement through selection. Selection within B and crossbreeding should be the strategy to enhance the growth performance under such production systems.

Variance Components and Genetic Parameters for Milk Production and Lactation Pattern in an Ethiopian Multibreed Dairy Cattle Population

“…Average annual rainfall is approximately 1,200 mm. The annual average temperature is 18°C and the average monthly relative humidity is 60% (Demeke et al, 2004; Haile et al, 2011). …”

Cross-breeding cattle for milk production in the tropics: achievements, challenges and opportunities

“…In a more recent study, Haile et al (2007) conducted an economic comparison of Ethiopian Boran animals and their crosses of 50, 75 and 87.5 percent HF inheritance, which were all reared in an intensive, stall-feeding system in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The study covers one calendar year (2003) and collected its data from cattle kept on the Debre Zeit Research Station in Ethiopia.…”

Genetic Parameter Estimates for Growth and Reproductive Trait of Sheep for Genetic Improvement and Designing Breeding Program in Ethiopia: A Review

“…Although not all of the genetic contribution is included, essentially all which is available to a breeder who is trying to select within a breed is included. Obviously heritability is important among the several factors determining how much genetic improvement can be made in any trait [20]. If individual will be selected based on their phenotypic values, success in improvement can be predicted only from the knowledge of correspondence between phenotypic and the breeding values.…”

“…Therefore, Information of genetic parameter estimation for different traits is useful in formulating breeding program since these parameters determine the direction and magnitude of genetic improvement [20]. Understanding the concept and knowing this information is important to improve the management system.…”

“…14]. The basic pre-requisite of any breed improvement program is a priori knowledge about the extent of variability, or more precisely, the additive genetic variability present within the population under study, association between traits and repeatability of a trait [20]. In practical utility of genetic parameters successful used on sheep genetic improvement in Ethiopia: growth and reproductive trait for Menz and Horo sheep [7] and [10].…”