ECONOMIC VALUES IN DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FUNCTIONAL TRAITS

Genetski i socio-ekonomski ujednačena selekcija proizvodnih (mlijeko i govedina) i finkcionalnih osobina (zdravlje, plodnost,djelotvornost iskorištavanja hrane i mliječnost) u mliječnog goveda traži ispravne ekonomske vrijednosti. lspravne relativne razine ekonomskih vrijednosti osobina daju optimalne razine genetskog poboljšanja u skladu s budućim uvjetima proizvodnje; ispravne apsolutne razine važne su za točno izračunavanje ekonomske dobiti uzgojnih programa. Izvođenje ekonomske vrijednosti zahtijeva dobru ekonomsku osnovu, pravilnu metodologiju u odnosu na modele, ukljudujući fiziološko oblikovanje proizvodnje životinja, ekonomičnosti farme i socijalnih aspekata i odgovarajuće pretpostavke uvjetra buduće proizvodnje. Područje definicije cilja uzgoja zanimljivo je osobito zbog toga što se znanje o oblikovanju poboljšava a nesigurni uvjeti buduće proizvodnje neprestano mijenjaju. Osim toga, iako se istraživanja provode već dugo vremena praktična integracija funkcionalnih osobina u ciljevima uzgoja mliječnog goveda još uvijek je veliki izazov za uzgajivače životinja. Ciljevi izvještaja ove radne grupe su: a) predstaviti definiciju skupine osobina uzgojnih ciljeva, b) raspraviti o metodologiji izvođenja ekonomskih vrijednosti, c) dati sažetak literature o ekonomskim vrijednostima funkcionalnih osobina, d) raspraviti o mogućem opravdanju razlike u definiciji uzgojnih ciljeva nekih zemalja, područja i/ili individualnih farma, i e) raspraviti o mogućim budućim tendencijama što bi mogle utjecati na uzgojne ciljeve promjenom ekonomskih vrijednosti.A genetically and socio-economically balanced selection on production (milk and beef) and functional traits (health, fertility, efficiency of feed utilisation and milkability) in dairy cattle requires correct economic values. Correct relative levels of economic values of traits give optimum levels of genetic improvement according to future production circumstances; correct absolute levels are important for an accurate calculation of economic revenues of breeding programmes. The derivation of economic values requires a good theoretical basis, proper methodology in terms of models including physiological modelling of animal production, farm economics and social aspects, and appropriate assumptions on future production circumstances. The field of breeding goal definition is of ongoing interest, especially because knowledge on modelling is improving and on uncertain future production circumstances are continuously changing. Moreover, although research has been undertaken for a long period, the practical integration of functional traits in dairy cattle breeding goals is still a major challenge for animal breeders. The aims of this working group report are: a. to present the definition of a set of breeding goal traits, b. to discuss the methodology in deriving economic values, c. to present a summary of literature on economic values of functional traits, d. to discuss a possible justification of differences in breeding goal definition for countries, regions, and/or individual farms, and e. to discuss possible future trends potentially influencing breeding goals by changing economic values

Use of simulation to examine a dairy goat breeding program in Tanzania

This paper discusses selection in a dairy goat population for improved performance by conceptualizing it for a population in Tanzania. Seven strategies (5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, 100 test bucks) were simulated. A progeny test based selection breeding program fitting Mgeta (Morogoro, Tanzania) situation was optimized. The selection intensity, accuracy of prediction, and genetic gain of milk yield (kg) per day at heritability 0.1 and 0.2 are discussed. Use of natural mating for 1000 goats, in cooperating villages, were assumed. Three elite bucks were selected for breeding with 12% of the best females. Outlines of essential elements for a local sustainable dairy goat breeding program in Tanzania are included with a schematic figure showing selection steps for dairy goat breeding scheme fitting in Mgeta area. This study found that selection intensity gained when testing many bucks is more important for daily milk yield (DMY) (kg) genetic gain than the extra accuracy gained when testing fewer bucks. Mgeta has a mountainous terrain, small herd sizes per farmer and long distance from one cooperating village to another. Testing 30 bucks is practical for Mgeta. That gives relatively high (42% or 53%) accuracy of selection and genetic gain (2% or 2.6% for 0.1 or 0.2 heritability). The current results of estimated genetic gain are close to reported findings under other environments. Based on dairy goats of Norwegian breed in Tanzania, milked once daily, if 210 days of milking and an average of 1 litre milk yield is considered, the possible genetic gain per year in this program is equivalent to an increase of 4.2kg for 0.1 heritability and 5.5kg of milk per doe for 0.2 heritability of the trait. Such an increase in amount of milk due to a breeding program under the considered environment is promising. Collaborative efforts from farmers to consumers along the dairy goat market chain remain important elements to realize a sustainable high gain. The proposed breeding program may not be perfect in future because of practical options and accessibility to new knowledge. Thus, it becomes indispensable to revise breeding programs.publishedVersio

Situation analysis and prospects for establishing a dairy goat breeding program in Tanzania

Dairy goats in Tanzania accounts for two percent of the 17 million goats in total. Toggenburg, Saanen, Norwegian, Anglo Nubian and French alpine are dominant exotic dairy breeds distributed in all regions of Tanzania but abundance in Manyara, Morogoro, Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. Both public and private organizations have played in importing and distribution the exotic breeds in the country. For example, the collaboration between in Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) participated importing the Norwegian goat breed. The FARM Africa (Food and Agricultural Research Management) and HPI (Heifer Project International) responsible for Toggenburg and Saanen dairy breeds. The support with dairy goats has proven to be rather effective in improving food security and livelihood of people who owned them. Long term benefits of the goats can be realized if breeding principles are well considered e.g. reliable source of replacement breeding stock. As a step towards achieving that, a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats (SWOT) analysis of a dairy goat breeding program in Tanzania today were analysed in this paper. The analysis revealed potential possibilities for establishing sustainable dairy goat breeding program in the country. However, poor and unreliable records were the main hindrances for sustainable genetic improvement of goats in the country. Alternatively, this paper propose a simplified breeding plan that benefits from progress made elsewhere through occasional semen import for AI in one breeding nucleus herd in the country, multiplied by another unit/centre for distribution to clients. Key roles and risks of private and public institutions participating in implementing the breeding plan are highlighted.publishedVersio

Situation analysis and prospects for establishing a dairy goat breeding program in Tanzania

Dairy goats in Tanzania accounts for two percent of the 17 million goats in total. Toggenburg, Saanen, Norwegian, Anglo Nubian and French alpine are dominant exotic dairy breeds distributed in all regions of Tanzania but abundance in Manyara, Morogoro, Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. Both public and private organizations have played in importing and distribution the exotic breeds in the country. For example, the collaboration between in Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) participated importing the Norwegian goat breed. The FARM Africa (Food and Agricultural Research Management) and HPI (Heifer Project International) responsible for Toggenburg and Saanen dairy breeds. The support with dairy goats has proven to be rather effective in improving food security and livelihood of people who owned them. Long term benefits of the goats can be realized if breeding principles are well considered e.g. reliable source of replacement breeding stock. As a step towards achieving that, a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats (SWOT) analysis of a dairy goat breeding program in Tanzania today were analysed in this paper. The analysis revealed potential possibilities for establishing sustainable dairy goat breeding program in the country. However, poor and unreliable records were the main hindrances for sustainable genetic improvement of goats in the country. Alternatively, this paper propose a simplified breeding plan that benefits from progress made elsewhere through occasional semen import for AI in one breeding nucleus herd in the country, multiplied by another unit/centre for distribution to clients. Key roles and risks of private and public institutions participating in implementing the breeding plan are highlighted