Programas de mejora genética de rumiantes menores basados en comunidades

A recent revision of the state of knowledge, principles and examples of breeding programs described as community based (CBBP) indicates that such programs typically relate to low-input systems with farmers having a common interest to improve and share their genetic resources. CBBP are more frequent with keepers of small ruminants, in particular smallholders of local breeds, than with cattle, pigs or chickens, with which farmers may have easier access to genetic material and alternative breeding programs. Constraints on the adoption of conventional breeding technologies in low-input-systems cover a range of organizational and technical aspects. The analysis of seven CBBP with small ruminants located in countries of Latin-America, Africa and Asia highlights the importance of bottom-up approaches and involvement of farmers and local institutions in the planning and implementation stages. The analysis also reveals a high dependence of these programs on organizational, technical and financial support. Formal socio-economic evaluations of CBBP provide governments and other development agencies with the information necessary for up-scaling and outscaling successful experiencesUna revisión reciente del estado del conocimiento, principios y ejemplos de programas de mejoramiento, descriptos como basados en comunidades (PMBC), indica que por lo general se refieren a sistemas de bajos insumos con productores que tienen un interés común para mejorar y compartir sus recursos genéticos. PMBC son más frecuentes con productores de rumiantes menores, en particular pequeños productores de razas locales, que con bovinos, porcinos o aves de corral, para los cuales los productores suelen tener un acceso más fácil a material genético o programas alternativos. Restricciones que limitan la adopción de las tecnologías convencionales de mejoramiento genético en sistemas de bajos insumos cubren una gama de aspectos organizativos y técnicos. El análisis de siete PMBC ubicados en países de América Latina, África y Asia pone de relieve la importancia que tiene la participación de los productores e instituciones locales en las etapas de planificación e implementación desde su inicio. El análisis también revela una alta dependencia de estos programas de apoyo organizativo, técnico y financiero. Evaluaciones socioeconómicas formales de PMBC proporcionan a los gobiernos y otros organismos de desarrollo la información necesaria para aumentar la escala y extender las experiencias de programas exitososFil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentin

Aspectos teóricos en el diseño de pruebas de progenie

El concepto de prueba de progenie ha sido aplicado por criadores de ganado doméstico a lo largo de la historia. Hace más de dos mil años el erudito romano Marco Terencio Varrón escribió en su libro De re Rustica Pecuaria: “La calidad de un carnero se puede determinar a partir de su conformación y la de sus descendientes”. Aunque esa referencia apunta al ovino las pruebas de progenie probablemente comenzaron formalmente con la selección de toros lecheros en el siglo XIX. El motivo clásico para pruebas de progenie es para evaluar padres por caracteres expresados en sus hijas (producción de leche, tasa ovulatoria, etc.) y más recientemente para evaluar caracteres expresados a la faena (rendimiento al gancho, terneza, etc.) pero el concepto vale para cualquier carácter y especie.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Producción AnimalFil: Müeller, Joaquín Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentin

Esquila preparto, una tecnología de adopción masiva y alto impacto en la producción ovina de la Patagonia

La esquila de lanares poco antes de la parición tiene ventajas y desventajas que dependen del ambiente y del sistema de producción. Investigaciones realizadas por el INTA en Patagonia demostraron que la esquila preparto de ovejas tiene beneficios importantes en términos de sobrevivencia de sus corderos y calidad de lana y no ofrece mayor riesgo de mortandad de las ovejas esquiladas si se toman determinadas precauciones. Las experiencias indican que es posible incrementar las tasas de señalada en 10 puntos porcentuales, mejorar el rendimiento al peine de la lana en 7 puntos porcentuales y aumentar la resistencia a la tracción de la lana 7 N/ktex. Sobre este conocimiento, la esquila preparto ha sido adoptada progresivamente y llegó aproximadamente al 40% de los ovinos de la región. Una valorización económica de esa adopción indica que el beneficio para la producción ovina de la Patagonia es de aproximadamente 14,9 millones de dólares, de los cuales el 31% se adjudica al mayor valor de la lana y el 69% al valor de los corderos adicionales.Pre-lambing shearing of sheep has advantages and disadvantages that depend on the environment and production system. Research conducted by INTA in Patagonia showed that pre-lambing shearing has significant benefits in terms of survival of lambs and quality of wool and offers no increased risk of death if certain precautions are taken. The experiences indicate that it is possible to increase lamb marking rates by 10 percentage points, improve wool combing yield by 7 percentage points and increase staple strength by 7 N/ktex. Based on this information pre-lambing shearing has been adopted progressively reaching about 40% of the sheep in the region. An economic valuation of that uptake indicates that the benefit to sheep production of Patagonia is approximately US$ 14.9 million, of which 31% is due to the higher value of wool and 69% to the value of the additional lambs.EEA BarilocheFil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentin

Community based small ruminant genetic improvement programs

A recent revision of the state of knowledge, principles and examples of breeding programs described as community-based (CBBP) indicates that such programs typically relate to low-input systems with farmers having a common interest to improve and share their genetic resources. CBBP are more frequent with keepers of small ruminants, in particular smallholders of local breeds than with cattle, pigs or chickens, with which farmers may have easier access to genetic material and alternative breeding programs. Constraints on the adoption of conventional breeding technologies in low-input-systems cover a range of organizational and technical aspects. The analysis of seven CBBP with small ruminants located in countries of Latin-America, Africa and Asia highlights the importance of bottom-up approaches and involvement of farmers and local institutions in the planning and implementation stages. The analysis also reveals a high dependence of these programs on organizational, technical and financial support. Formal socio-economic evaluations of CBBP provide governments and other development agencies with the information necessary for up-scaling and outscoring successful experiences

Vientiocho años de mejoramiento genético en una majada Merino comparada con una testigo sin selección

A los fines de demostrar progreso genético se separaron al azar dos majadas, cada una con 250 ovejas y 10 carneros, a partir de una misma población Merino del norte de la Patagonia argentina. La majada “Testigo” se mantuvo cerrada desde el servicio de 1984 hasta el servicio de 2011 con reemplazos anuales de hembras y machos elegidos al azar del propio Testigo. La majada “Núcleo” fue seleccionada por alto peso corporal (PCE), alto peso de vellón limpio (PVL) y bajo promedio de diámetro de fibras (PDF) durante un periodo de 9 años. En un segundo periodo de 8 años el Núcleo tuvo introducciones de padres de cabañas en prueba de progenie y en un tercer periodo de otros 11 años el Núcleo tuvo unas pocas introducciones de padres y fue seleccionado con énfasis en bajo PDF. El progreso genético fue calculado como la pendiente de la regresión de diferencias porcentuales en cada periodo y en el conjunto de los tres periodos. Además, se comparó la performance del Núcleo y del Testigo hacia el final de la experiencia en rasgos medidos y rasgos observados visualmente en corderos/as, borregos/as, ovejas y carneros. La tendencia genética promedio entre sexos en el primer periodo fue 0,68%, 0,31% y -0,50% para PCE, PVL y PDF, respectivamente. Estos valores se ubicaron entre el 82 y el 93% de los valores esperados teóricamente. Del primero al segundo periodo las diferencias genéticas entre Núcleo y Testigo aumentaron para PCE de 0,99 a 2,75 kg, para PVL de 0,08 a 0,27 kg y para PDF de -0,23 a -1,02 µm. Sin embargo, las diferencias no aumentaron durante el segundo periodo sugiriendo que los padres en prueba de progenie aportaron mejora genética inicial pero que no fueron siendo reemplazados por padres mejores durante el periodo. En el tercer periodo la diferencia de PDF entre majadas aumentó de -1,02 a -2,75 µm y el progreso genético en PCE, PVL y PDF durante el periodo fue sostenido. La tendencia genética en todo el ensayo fue 0,35%, 0,37% y -0,74% por año, para PCE, PVL y PDF, respectivamente. Hacia el final del experimento las diferencias entre borregos/as del Núcleo y el Testigo fueron para PCE 6,8 kg, para PVL 0,11 kg y para PDF -3,3 µm. Las respuestas correlacionadas fueron favorables para peso al destete, peso de vellón sucio y factor de confort. En ovejas las diferencias finales entre Núcleo y Testigo fueron 4,5 kg, 0,58 kg y -3,9 µm y en carneros fueron 5,4 kg, 0,66 kg y -3,5 µm para PCE, PVL y PDF, respectivamente. En borregas/os y ovejas no hubo efecto negativo sobre la resistencia a la tracción aunque en carneros el Núcleo tuvo menor resistencia a la tracción que el Testigo. Las puntuaciones visuales de suavidad, carácter, uniformidad, densidad, cabeza, cuerpo y categoría visuales fueron significativamente mayores en el Núcleo. Solo las diferencias en calidad visual de mecha y el nivel de pigmentación no resultaron significativas. El experimento demostró que es posible mejorar simultáneamente PCE, PVL y PDF. El experimento también tuvo gran impacto en la adopción del uso de mediciones para la selección de ovinos en el país.With the aim of demonstrating genetic progress two flocks, each with 250 ewes and 10 rams, were separated at random from a single Merino population of Argentina’s north Patagonia. The “Control” flock was closed from mating 1984 till mating 2011 with annual replacements of females and males selected at random from Control flock progeny. The “Nucleus” flock was selected for high body weight (PCE), high clean fleece weight (PVL) and low average fibre diameter (PDF) during a period of 9 years. In a second period of 8 years the Nucleus had introductions of stud rams on progeny test and in a third period of additional 11 years the Nucleus had a few introductions of rams and was selected with emphasis on low PDF. Genetic progress was calculated as the slope of the regression line of differences between flocks, as a percentage of the Control flock, in each period and in the three period’s altogether. In addition, towards the end of the experience the performance of Nucleus and Control lambs, hoggets, ewes and rams were compared in measured and visually scored traits. Genetic progress averaged over sexes in the first period was 0.68%, 0.31% y -0.50% for PCE, PVL and PDF, respectively. These values are within 82 and 93% of the theoretically expected values. From the first to the second period the average genetic differences between Nucleus and Control increased for PCE from 0.99 to 2.75 kg, for PVL from 0.08 to 0.27 kg and for PDF from -0.23 to -1.02 µm. The differences did not increase within the second period suggesting that rams in progeny test contributed initial improvement but were not replaced by better rams during the period. In the third period the difference in PDF between flocks increased from -1.02 to -2.75 µm and genetic progress in PCE, PVL and PDF during the period was sustained. Annual genetic progress over the full experiment resulted in 0.35%, 0.37% and -0.74% for PCE, PVL and PDF, respectively. Towards the end of the experiment the differences between Nucleus and Control hoggets was 6.8 kg for PCE, 0.11 kg for PVL and -3.3 µm for PDF. The correlated responses were favourable for weaning weight, greasy fleece weight and comfort factor. Final differences in PCE, PVL and PDF were 4.5 kg, 0.58 kg and -3.9 µm in ewes and 5.4 kg, 0.66 kg and -3.5 µm in rams, respectively. In hoggets and ewes there was no negative correlated response in staple strength but Nucleus rams had lower staple strength than Control rams. Visual scores for softness, character, uniformity, density, head, body and overall category were significantly larger in the Nucleus. Visual score differences in staple and pigmentation resulted non-significant. The experiment demonstrated that it is possible to improve PCE, PVL and PDF simultaneously. The experiment also had a large impact on the adoption of performance recording as an aid to selection of sheep in the country.EEA BarilocheFil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Giovannini, Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Bidinost, Franca. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Agencia de Extensión Rural Bariloche; Argentin

Characterization of Awassi lamb fattening systems: a Syrian case study

Intensive lamb fattening systems are evolving in developing Middle Eastern countries due to high demand for lambs at favorable prices; however, little is known about their characteristics and constraints. A survey was conducted in Syria involving 241 farmers to characterize the fattening production systems and main constraints, with emphasis on feeding, management, labor, and marketing. Most farmers (90%) considered the income from fattening to be from medium to high, and 57% expressed that lamb fattening along with alternative income sources compose the family's livelihood strategies. Fattening systems offer employment to family members. Market price was the main decision factor to buy and sell lambs, but this was only part of various marketing aspects. Male lambs usually bought at markets at the mean age of 4 months (mean weight of 31 kg) are sold after fattening at a 50–60 kg weight range. The average yearly fattening cycle was 2.7 batches, and the average number of lambs per batch was 232. For 65% (n = 241) of the farmers the major constraint to fattening was feeding cost, and for about a half of farmers (51%, n = 241), disease outbreaks and prices for veterinarian services constituted the second important constraint. Research on least-cost fattening diets and curbing disease problems to increase farmer's income margins is needed. It is expected that due to existing commonalities, the information emerging from this study regarding major constraints to Awassi lamb fattening systems could be useful for an across-synthesis on Awassi fattening production in the regionFil: Wiedemann Hartwell, Birgitte. International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas; Siria. University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Division of Livestock Sciences; Austria. Fredensborg; DinamarcaFil: Iñiguez, Luis. International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas; SiriaFil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Wurzinger, Maria. University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Division of Livestock Sciences; AustriaFil: Knaus, W.F. University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Division of Livestock Sciences; Austri

Nomadic pastoralism in southern Iran

The nomadic pastoralist system in Baft district in Kerman province is well known in Iran for producing cashmere from Raeini goats. However, there is little information on the production system. Interviews were carried out with 30 Siahjel nomad families of Raen origin in proximity of about 20 km to Baft city in 2010 to characterise the production system in terms of family labour force, work sharing, livestock numbers, management and marketing practices, and diseases. The nomads move their livestock over large distances within the rangelands of the region from May to November, and the majority migrate south during autumn and winter. Of the nomad families, 87% live with and manage their animals together with one or more other related families. All household heads are males. All family members are involved in raising livestock; males and hired labourers dominate the physically harder jobs like shepherding and breeding, while women are involved in milking and caring. Of the animals, 80% are owned by adult or young unmarried males, none by daughters. Average proportion of goats and sheep per family flock are 89% and 8%, respectively, which indicates that Siahjel nomads mainly rely on goats. Adult breeding females constituted the largest group within the goat herds. The rationale for keeping a high number of male goats may be related to their greater production of cashmere. Diseases accounted for 57% of adult and 88% of young animal deaths. The most prevalent diseases were enterotoxaemia, foot-and-mouth disease, pneumonia, agalactia and diarrhoea. Animal sales, meat, cashmere and milk production are the major reasons for keeping goats. Rangeland is considered as the main source of feeding (85% of total annual feed intake); the remaining 15% is provided by stubble grazing. However, the herds do not produce enough meat, milk and cashmere to sustain the life of the nomad families, and thus, they often have to sell part of their stock which will further decrease their income.Fil: Ansari-Renani, Hamid R. Animal Science Research Institute; IránFil: Rischkowsky, Barbara. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas; EtiopíaFil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Seyed Momend, S.M. Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center; IránFil: Moradi, Sepehr. Animal Science Research Institute; Irán. University of Mashad. Agriculture College. Animal Science Department; Irá

Observations on the efficiency of using different cashmere combs

The effect of using small or large cashmere combs on cashmere harvest, cashmere quality and combing time was studied on Raeini cashmere goats in nomadic goat breeding systems of the Iranian province of Kerman. Two groups of 20 goats of different ages were combed with either a large or a small comb, three times with intervals of 2 weeks in early spring when natural fiber shedding has started. Combed cashmere weight, duration of combing, fiber diameter, and down yield were measured. A sample of combed cashmere was analyzed using a Laserscan instrument. A general linear model including type of comb, stage of combing and age of goat was fitted to analyze the data. Small combs collect more cashmere (31.0 vs. 21.7 g, P 0.05) but combing time is higher (3.75 vs. 2.79 min, P < 0.01). In the first two combing sessions much more cashmere was obtained than in the last (28.1, 32.0 and 19.0 g, respectively, P < 0.01), but the weight of total combed cashmere was much less than typical shorn fleece weights. Combing can be justified only if a considerable price premium can be obtained from selling combed cashmere instead of selling shorn cashmere, or if the combed cashmere is used to add value on-farm. If this is the case, small combs with short rods are preferable since more cashmere can be collected without affecting its qualityFil: Ansari-Renani, Hamid R. Animal Science Research Institute; IránFil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Rischkowsky, Barbara. International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas; EtiopíaFil: Seyed Momend, S.M. Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center; IránFil: Ehsani, M. Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center; IránFil: Moradi, Sepehr. University of Zanjan. Agriculture College. Animal Science Department; Irá

Fibre quality of South American camelids in Argentina: a review

Argentina’s annual camelidfibre production is estimated at 60 000 kg for llama (Lama glama), somewhat more than 2 000 kg for gua-naco (Lama guanicoe) and about 845 kg for vicuña (Vicugna vicugna). The potential for increasing these amounts is huge consideringthat barely 30 percent of llamas are shorn and considering the size of the wild camelid population in the country. A compilation ofpublished and unpublished work confirms that almost 50 percent of the llamas are single-coated, about 40 percent have whitefleecesand that averagefibre diameter is about 22 μm in the main llama production area. In general, there is a wide variation infleece weightsandfibre quality between and within herds. However, a llamafleece classing and pricing system is not yet in place to motivate imple-mentation of such programmes. Guanaco and vicuñafleeces are double-coated but thefine undercoat represents more than 80 percent ofthefleece weight. The proportion of downfibre remaining after mechanical dehairing is only 50 percent in guanacos and 70 percent invicuñas. The guanaco undercoatfibre diameter is about 16 μm and vicuñafibre diameter is typically between 13 and 14 μm. Bothfibresare relatively short. Research is needed to establish optimum shearing season and shearing frequency that results infibre qualitydemanded for handcraft and industry in each of the three species.La producción anual defibras de camélidos en la Argentina se estima en 60.000 kg de llama (Lama glama), algo más de 2 000 kg deguanaco (Lama guanicoe) y unos 845 kg de vicuña (Vicugna vicugna). El potencial para aumentar esas cifras es enorme considerandoque apenas el 30% de las llamas son esquiladas y considerando el tamaño de las poblaciones de camélidos silvestres de ese país. En unarecopilación de trabajos publicados y trabajos inéditos se confirma que casi el 50% de las llamas tienen vellones de simple capa, el 40%de los vellones son blancos y que el promedio de diámetro defibras es menor a 22 μm. En general se observa una gran variabilidad enpesos de vellón y en caracteres cualitativos de lasfibras entre y dentro de tropas. Sin embargo todavía no hay un sistema de clasificacióncon precios diferenciales que motive al productor a implementar tales programas de mejora. Los vellones de guanacos y de vicuñas sonde doble capa aunque la capa interior representa más del 80% del peso de vellón. El descerdado mecánico deja solo un 50% defibrasfinas de guanaco y 70% defibrasfinas de vicuñas. El diámetro defibras de la capa interior de los guanacos es de aproximadamente16 μm y el de vicuñas está entre 13 y 14 μm. Ambasfibras son relativamente cortas. Es necesario estudiar en los tres camélidos laépoca y la frecuencia de esquila que resulten enfibra de la calidad demandada por artesanos e industria.Fil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Rigalt, Francisco Antonio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Catamarca; ArgentinaFil: Lamas, Hugo Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Abra Pampa; ArgentinaFil: Sacchero, Diego Mariano. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Cancino, Andrea Karina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Wurzinger, Maria. University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Division of Livestock Sciences; Austri

Beneficio del progreso genético en ovinos de la Argentina

Se analizó el beneficio económico del mejoramiento genético observado en planteles de las razas Merino Astado, Corriedale e Ideal que utilizan el servicio de evaluación genética Provino en Argentina. Con estadísticos poblacionales y parámetros reproductivos de sistemas de producción de referencia de cada raza se calculó el número de corderos descendientes de carneros producidos en los planteles. Usando metodologías de flujo génico se calcularon las expresiones genéticas de cada cordero a través de su vida útil y de la de sus descendientes. El beneficio de 10 años de mejora genética en los planteles, acumulado por 20 años en las majadas comerciales, y descontado a una tasa del 5% anual, resultó ser de 7,70, 0,93 y 0,12 millones de USD para las poblaciones Merino Astado, Corriedale e Ideal, respectivamente. Para las dos primeras razas se consideró una estructura de tres estratos y para la raza Ideal de dos estratos. Los análisis de sensibilidad indicaron que hay amplio margen para aumentar el beneficio económico en la cadena de valor ovina a través del mejoramiento genético en la Argentina. Para ello se deberían alentar políticas de promoción tanto del mejoramiento genético a nivel de los planteles como del aprovechamiento de carneros mejoradores.The economic benefit of genetic improvement observed in stud flocks of the Horned Merino, Corriedale and Polwarth breeds using Provino, the Argentinean sheep genetic evaluation service, was analysed. With population statistics and reproduction parameters estimated from reference production systems of each breed, the number of stud ram progeny was calculated. Using gene flow methodology, genetic expressions were calculated for each lamb throughout his life and that of its descendants. The benefit of 10 years of genetic improvement in the stud flocks accumulated over 20 years in the general flocks and discounted at an annual rate of 5% turned out to be 7.70, 0.93 and 0.12 million USD for the Horned Merino, Corriedale and Polwarth populations, respectively. For the first two breeds a three tier structure was modelled and for the Polwarth breed a two tier structure was modelled. Sensitivity analysis indicated an ample scope to increase the economic benefit of genetic improvement in Argentina. Promotion policies for further genetic improvement in the stud flocks and increased dissemination of rams should be encouraged.EEA BarilocheFil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Vozzi, Pedro Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Chubut; ArgentinaFil: Giovannini, Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Juan Mauricio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; Argentin