The use of indigenous cattle in terminal cross-breeding to improve beef cattle production in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The role indigenous livestock can play in Africa's Livestock Revolution is not always recognized. In many parts of Africa pure breeding with indigenous breeds is the only viable production strategy because of adverse climatic and nutritional conditions. However, there are scenarios where the higher demands of exotic breeds and their cross-breds can be met. This article discusses the possibility of improving beef production through terminal cross-breeding with two South African cattle breeds, the Nguni and the Afrikaner, with different exotic breeds. Calving difficulties were limited and birth weights were restricted to the mid-parent value or below. Cross-breeding did not have a negative effect on cow performance such as weight change and fertility, but cow productivity increased. In most cases the weaning weight of cross-bred calves was the same or exceeded that of the pure sire breed, and the feed conversion ratio was always better than either of the two parent breeds. This made the feedlot performance of the cross-breds highly desirable. These results indicate that terminal cross-breeding with indigenous African breeds deserves more attention as a means of increasing the output of beef cattle in the subtropics and tropics. An added advantage of any system of terminal cross-breeding utilizing indigenous breeds is that the conservation and utilization of the indigenous breeds of Africa is ensured, because a constant stream of purebred females will be required. resultados demuestran que cruces terminales con razas locales africanas merecen más atención como medio para incrementar la producción de carne de ternera en el subtrópico y trópico. Una ventaja añadida de cualquier sistema de cruces terminales es la utilización de razas locales, lo que asegura la conservación y la utilización de las razas locales de África, dado que se requerirán constantemente hembras criadas en pureza.Palabras clave: bovino local, cruce terminal, Nguni, Afrikaner, producción de ternera mejorada

Growth performance of yearling F1 progeny of different crossbred beef cattle

“…But the weaning, 6-month, 9-month and 12-month cumulative weights were the highest in Simmental×BCB-1 and the lowest in purebred BCB-1, and the genotype differences were also highly significant (p<0.001). Scholtz and Theunissen (2010) found the same or exceed weaning weights of different cross-bred beef genotypes in Sub-Saharan Africa which supported the findings of the present research work. Brahman calves were born in later and did not reach to yearling age during the study period.…”

Physiological parameters for thermal stress in dairy cattle

“…As a result of global warming, livestock in the developing countries of the southern hemisphere will need to adapt to higher ambient temperatures, lower nutritional value of the grass in some cases, and spread of diseases and environmental challenges such as ticks and tick borne diseases in Africa (Scholtz and Theunissen, 2010). With such challenges, matching genotypes with production environments will become crucial, requiring the utilization of diverse genetic resources with the appropriate genetic potential for growth, milk production, resistance to disease, and fertility (Blackburn and Mezzadra, 2006).…”

Climate change and livestock production: A review with emphasis on Africa

“…Africa is in the unique position of having a high number of beef cattle breeds that have adapted to prevailing conditions (Scholtz, 1988;Scholtz & Theunissen, 2010).…”