Sahiwal Breed in Pastoral Production Systems in Kenya: Future Roles and Existing Gaps in Knowledge and Supportive Technical Logistics; \u3ci\u3eA Review\u3c/i\u3e

Sahiwal genetic resources is an integral part of the ASALs economy of Kenya. Sahiwal is the largest single dual purpose cattle breed kept by the pastoral communities in the ASALs where livestock products are the main drivers of food and nutrition security, and a source of income to support other household obligations. It was introduced in Kenya to upgrade the low performing small east African Zebu because of its superior productive and reproductive performance. The promising results of this upgrading programme led to the breed gaining preference over the local Zebu among the Maasai pastoralists. Despite the impressive results from this breed and subsequent high demand for milk and beef due to increase in population, supply of superior bulls and cows from the nucleus herd to the commercial herds remain low. It is likely that the problem will continue and perhaps in future the numbers of Sahiwal population may reduce unless appropriate measures are put in place. Pastoralists and other stakeholders such as policy makers need technical guidance to identify the most seemly approaches to ensure long term breed multiplication and conservation as well as optimal utilisation in ASALs. This study looks at the underlying challenges and opportunities that are there to exploit advantages of the breed. Gaps in knowledge and supportive logistics for low input production system for the breed are also discussed as well as implications of Sahiwal cattle and practices and technologies for pastoral-based systems

Genetic parameters for weaning weight of Kenyan Boran cattle accounting for direct-maternal genetic covariances

Genetic parameters were estimated for weaning weight (WW) in Kenya Boran cattle using animal models that assumed non-zero direct-maternal genetic covariance. In addition to the direct and maternal genetic effects, maternal permanent environmental and sire by herd-year interaction effects were tested. Two datasets were used. Dataset 1 (DS1) included all animals while dataset 2 (DS2) constituted only records of animals with known paternity. Estimates of direct and maternal heritabilities from DS1 ranged from 0.61 to 0.64 and 0.25 to 0.27, respectively. Estimates of direct and maternal heritabilities from DS2 ranged from 0.07 to 0.31 and 0.16 to 0.23. Direct-maternal genetic correlations were large and negative but were lower in the analyses of DS2 than in DS1. Similarly, estimates of direct and maternal heritability were lower in the analyses of DS2 than in DS1 especially when the effect of sire by herd-year effect was fitted in the model. This study shows that WW is highly heritable and under the influence of maternal effects. Estimates of genetic parameters and direct-maternal genetic covariance are dependent on data size and structure and how direct and maternal effects have been accounted for. Keywords: Parameter estimates; data structure; sire by herd-year interaction South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 36 (4) 2006: pp.275-28

Fourth report on chicken genes and chromosomes 2022

The chicken continues to hold its position as a leading model organism within many areas of research, as well as a being major source of protein for human consumption. The First Report on Chicken Genes and Chromosomes [Schmid et al., 2000], which was published in 2000, was the brainchild of the late, and sadly missed, Prof Michael Schmid of the University of Würzburg. It was a publication bringing together updates on the latest research and resources in chicken genomics and cytogenetics. The success of this First report led to the subsequent publication of the Second [Schmid et al., 2005] and Third [Schmid et al., 2015] reports proving popular references for the research community. It is now our pleasure to be able to introduce publication of the Fourth report. Being seven years since the last report, this publication captures the many advances that have taken place during that time. This includes presentation of the detailed genomic resources that are now available, largely due to increasing capabilities of sequencing technologies and which herald the pangenomic age, allowing for a much richer and more complete knowledge of the avian genome. Ongoing cytogenetic work also allows for examination of chromosomes, specific elements within chromosomes and the evolutionary history and comparison of karyotypes. We also examine chicken research efforts with a much more ‘global’ outlook with a greater impact on food security and the impact of climate change, and highlight the efforts of international consortia, such as the Chicken Diversity Consortium. We dedicate this Report to Michael