Production, Reproduction and Adaptation characteristics of Boran cattle breed under changing climate: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

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.

Genetic improvement approaches of indigenous cattle breeds for adaptation, conservation and sustainable utilization to changing climate in Ethiopia

“…In general, high-producing breeds from temperate regions, which make up most of the market's production today, are not well adapted to heat stress situations (Pilling and Hoffmann, 2011;Renaudeau et al, 2012). As a result, selection for improved meat, and/or milk traits without considering adaptation to extreme environmental conditions may increase animals' susceptibility to elevated temperatures (Bayssa et al, 2020). Therefore, selection and breed improvement strategies should not only exploit the production potentials of animals but also their adaptability capacity so as to limit the productivity losses and other health effects on animals.…”

“…This is especially important as the climate becomes warmer, conditions for diseases occurrences turn out to be more favorable and feed resources become scarce leading to cost rises (Hoffmann, 2010;Kantanen et al, 2015). Adaptive characteristics to climate change encompass a wide range of physiological, behavioral, and morphological features (Melesse et al, 2011a;Melesse et al, 2011b;Melesse, 2016;Bayssa et al, 2020). Climate change adaptation strategies address not only livestock tolerance to heat, but also disease resistance, water scarcity tolerance, and the ability to cope with poor quality feed.…”

“…In contrast to exotic breeds, indigenous livestock breeds in Ethiopia are the hardiest breeds, well suited to the local climate and capable of coping and producing in harsh conditions due to physiological and genetic adaptations (Rojas-Downing et al, 2017;Bayssa et al, 2020). It is clear that breeds that evolved in diverse, stressful, tropical environments possess a unique adaptive traits (Gizaw et al, 2013b).…”