Genetic parameters for test-day milk yield in tropical Holstein Friesian cattle fitting a multiple-lactation random regression animal model

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Estimation of genetic parameters for first-lactation test-day milk yield in Holstein Friesian cows fitting random regression models

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Genetic analysis of milk yield in first-lactation Holstein-Friesian in Ethiopia: A lactation average vs random regression test-day model analysis

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Factors in the suboptimum performance of rural water supply systems in the Ethiopian highlands

Access to safe drinking water services in the Ethiopian Highlands is one of lowest worldwide due to failure of water supply services shortly after construction. Over hundred water supply systems were surveyed to find the underlying causes of failure and poor performance throughout the Amhara Regional State. The results show generally that systems with decision-making power at the community level during design and construction remained working longer than when the decisions were made by a central authority. In addition, the sustainability was better for water systems that were farther away from alternative water resources and contributed more cash and labour. The results of this study of the importance of decision-making at the local level in contrast to the central authority is directly applicable to the introduction of rain water management systems as shown by earlier efforts of installing rain water harvesting systems in the Ethiopian highlands

The pathway to genetic gains in Ethiopian dairy Cattle: Lessons learned from African Dairy Genetic Gains Program and tips to ensure sustainability

In recent years, information and communication technology, and genomic tools have respectively enabled crowd-sourced herd performance recording and fastening of genetic gains in dairy cattle. The African dairy cattle genetic gains (ADGG) program is a collaborative effort of International Livestock Research Institute, Livestock Development Institute, and other national and international partners to foster sustainable genetic improvement. The ADGG program has developed and implemented digital herd performance recording tools, national dairy recording platforms, digital extension services, and genomic evaluation pipelines for Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The initial program’s target was to register 12,000 dairy herds in each country, however in Ethiopia’s in 98 districts and 6 regions, more than 74,500 herds and 157,000 animals had been registered by July 2022. The volume and diversity of data being captured by national dairy database is steadily growing. For example, today 440,000 test-day milk yield and 313,000 body weight records have been captured. The above data has been used to undertake the first genomic evaluations, results of which have been publicized in the national Cow and Bull Catalogue for the locally bred but genetically superior bulls and cows. Three of the top ranked bulls have been recruited into the National Artificial Insemination (AI) center for broader use nationally. So far, a total of 67,000 semen straws have been extracted from these bulls and are being used to breed cows and heifers in 14 districts of Ethiopia, thereby not only benefiting many local smallholder dairy farmers, but also significantly saving the country foreign exchange which would otherwise have been used to import bulls and semen from outside the country most of bulls may not be as locally adapted and genetically superior. The great achievement has been realized due to existence of systematic animal identification and consistent performance recording, both of which are crucial for sustained national genetic evaluation, identification, and use of genetically superior and locally adapted dairy breeding stock. Furthermore, identifying roles and responsibilities, and strengthening collaboration among key dairy actors and strong government leadership and support are mandatory to build sustainable breeding program

Podoconiosis treatment in northern Ethiopia (GoLBet): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Podoconiosis is one of the forgotten types of leg swelling (elephantiasis) in the tropics. Unlike the other, better-known types of leg swelling, podoconiosis is not caused by any parasite, virus or bacterium, but by an abnormal reaction to minerals found in the clay soils of some tropical highland areas. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been responsible for the development of simple treatment methods without systematic evaluation of its effectiveness. It is essential that a large scale, fully controlled, pragmatic trial of the intervention is conducted. We aim to test the hypothesis that community-based treatment of podoconiosis lymphoedema reduces the frequency of acute dermatolymphangioadenitis episodes ('acute attacks') and improves other clinical, social and economic outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN This is a pragmatic, individually randomised controlled trial. We plan to randomly allocate 680 podoconiosis patients from the East Gojjam Zone in northern Ethiopia to one of two groups: 'Standard Treatment' or 'Delayed Treatment'. Those randomised to standard treatment will receive the hygiene and foot-care intervention from May 2015 for one year, whereas those in the control arm will be followed through 2015 and be offered the intervention in 2016. The trial will be preceded by an economic context survey and a Rapid Ethical Assessment to identify optimal methods of conveying information about the trial and the approaches to obtaining informed consent preferred by the community. The primary outcome will be measured by recording patient recall and using a simple, patient-held diary that will be developed to record episodes of acute attacks. Adherence to treatment, clinical stage of disease, quality of life, disability and stigma will be considered secondary outcome measures. Other outcomes will include adverse events and economic productivity. Assessments will be made at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months thereafter. DISCUSSION The evidence is highly likely to inform implementation of the new master plan for integrated control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), in which podoconiosis is identified as one of eight NTDs prioritised for control. Potentially, an estimated 3 million patients in Ethiopia will therefore benefit from the results of this trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number. REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN67805210 . Date of registration: 24 January 2013