Breeding programme and infrastructure

The aim of this thesis was to study potential breeding strategies for indigenous livestock in Eastern and Southern Africa under low input production systems. The thesis covered a study of the status of supportive infrastructure for use of animal genetic resources. The case of Red Maasai sheep was studied as a model for design of strategies for improvement of an indigenous breed under threat. Studies [I-II] were performed through participatory approaches by use of structured interviews, while [III] comprised analyses of data collected at a research station, and [IV] was based on simulations. The infrastructure in the countries studied was weak and organizations needed more farmer involvement [I]. Countries with least university training in animal breeding also had least developed activities for animal genetic resources. A significant genotype by environment interaction was shown for Red Maasai and Dorper sheep in two different environments in Kenya [II]. Dorper was superior to Red Maasai for live weight in the less harsh environment, whereas breed differences were small in the harsh environment. Body size and milk production were highly ranked for both breeds. Red Maasai was appreciated for reproduction and adaptive traits and Dorper mainly for its larger body size. Dorper ram lambs were heavier live but did not have heavier carcasses than Red Maasai [III]. When basing their payment on assessed live weight, evaluators substantially undervalued Red Maasai lambs economically compared to Dorper. Opportunities for substantial genetic gain in live weight and carcass weight of Red Maasai sheep were shown in [IV]. When conditions are harsh, purebreeding of Red Maasai was superior to crossbreeding. The use of Dorper as a terminal sire breed to produce crossbred lambs for slaughter may be practised if environmental conditions are favourable and survival rates are high. It was shown that a nucleus breeding programme could sustainably improve the productivity of an indigenous breed, while contributing to biological diversity

Infrastructure for sustainable use of animal genetic resources in southern and eastern Africa

The Global Plan of Action (GPA) for Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) adopted by FAO recognizes the role of AnGR for food security through improved productivity while maintaining genetic diversity. A critical issue for conservation and genetic improvement programmes is the availability of supportive infrastructure. The objective of the present study was to assess existing and needed infrastructure for sustainable use of AnGR in a sample of countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. Information was primarily obtained from semi-structured interviews with key personnel in animal breeding during country visits. Countries studied are at different stages of development. No complete breeding programmes are in place but some conservation programmes exist in most countries. Except for a few cases, livestock recording as basis for R&D and breeding practice is lacking. The institutional setup to support animal breeding programmes is fragmented and needs to be better integrated. Shortage of skilled personnel is noted as the most serious constraint for development. Countries with least university training in animal breeding have least developed AnGR activities. However, since the GPA was agreed upon, many countries have re-casted their policies and make efforts to develop breeding policies. A change in mindsets aiming at closer collaboration among institutions, farmer involvement and capacity development and strengthening at all levels is suggested

Sustainable breeding strategies for the Red Maasai sheep

How could we conserve Red Maasai sheep and increase productivity for better livelihood for livestock keepers

Economic analysis of smallholder dairy cattle enterprises in Senegal

Smallholder dairy production in Senegal is important to both livelihoods and food and nutrition security. Here, we examine the economic performance of smallholder dairy cattle enterprises in Senegal, using data from longitudinal monitoring of 113 households. The mean (and standard deviation) of the net returns (NR) per cow per annum (pcpa) was 21.7 (202.9) USD, whilst the NR per household herd per annum (phpa) was 106.1 (1740.3) USD. Only about half (52.2%) of the dairy cattle enterprise had a positive NR. The most significant income components were milk sale followed by animal sale, whilst the most significant cost components were animal feed followed by animal purchase. When households were grouped by ranking on NRpcpa, an interesting trend was observed: whilst the mean NRpcpa showed a fairly linear increase from the lowest to highest NR groups, income and cost did not. Income and costs were both higher for the lowest and highest NR groups, in comparison to the intermediate NR groups. The mean NRs of households grouped by the main breed type they kept were not significantly different from each other, due to large variances within the breed groups. However, the mean total income and costs were significantly higher for households mainly keeping improved dairy breeds (Bos taurus or Zebu x Bos taurus crosses) in comparison to those keeping indigenous Zebu or Zebu by Guzerat crosses. This study highlights the highly variable (and often low) profitability of smallholder dairy cattle enterprise in Senegal. Further actions to address this are strongly recommended

Breeding objectives for Red Maasai and Dorper sheep in Kenya—A participatory approach

The Red Maasai sheep breed is under threat due to indiscriminate crossbreeding and strategies are needed to conserve and improve the breed. The aim of this study was to understand farmers’ preferences for important traits of flocks of Red Maasai, Dorper and crosses in two different areas, Amboseli and Isinya, in Kenya. Farmers identified three ewes that represented the best, average, and poorest within its breed group of each farm and gave reasons for their ranking. The most important traits were body size and growth rate and thereafter milk yield. The Red Maasai was preferred for its better reproduction and tolerance against diseases and drought. In the harshest area, Amboseli, all breed groups had about the same body weight, whereas in Isinya, where conditions are better and farmers are more market oriented, Dorper and crosses had superior weights

Breeding programme and infrastructure: The case of Red Maasai sheep in Kenya

The aim of this thesis was to study potential breeding strategies for indigenous livestock in Eastern and Southern Africa under low input production systems. The thesis covered a study of the status of supportive infrastructure for use of animal genetic resources. The case of Red Maasai sheep was studied as a model for design of strategies for improvement of an indigenous breed under threat. Studies [I-II] were performed through participatory approaches by use of structured interviews, while [III] comprised analyses of data collected at a research station, and [IV] was based on simulations. The infrastructure in the countries studied was weak and organizations needed more farmer involvement [I]. Countries with least university training in animal breeding also had least developed activities for animal genetic resources. A significant genotype by environment interaction was shown for Red Maasai and Dorper sheep in two different environments in Kenya [II]. Dorper was superior to Red Maasai for live weight in the less harsh environment, whereas breed differences were small in the harsh environment. Body size and milk production were highly ranked for both breeds. Red Maasai was appreciated for reproduction and adaptive traits and Dorper mainly for its larger body size. Dorper ram lambs were heavier live but did not have heavier carcasses than Red Maasai [III]. When basing their payment on assessed live weight, evaluators substantially undervalued Red Maasai lambs economically compared to Dorper. Opportunities for substantial genetic gain in live weight and carcass weight of Red Maasai sheep were shown in [IV]. When conditions are harsh, purebreeding of Red Maasai was superior to crossbreeding. The use of Dorper as a terminal sire breed to produce crossbred lambs for slaughter may be practised if environmental conditions are favourable and survival rates are high. It was shown that a nucleus breeding programme could sustainably improve the productivity of an indigenous breed, while contributing to biological diversity

Purebreeding of Red Maasai and crossbreeding with Dorper sheep in different environments in Kenya

The aim of this article was to study opportunities for improvement of the indigenous and threatened Red Maasai sheep (RM) in Kenya, by comparing purebreeding with crossbreeding with Dorper sheep (D) as a terminal breed, in two different environments (Env. A and a harsher Env. B), assuming different levels of genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E). Breeding goals differed between environments and breeds. Four scenarios of nucleus breeding schemes were stochastically simulated, with the nucleus in Env. A. Overall, results showed an increase in carcass weight produced per ewe by more than 10% over 15 years. Genetic gain in carcass weight was 0.17 genetic SD/year (0.2 kg/year) across scenarios for RM in the less harsh Env. A. For survival and milk yield, the gain was lower (0.04–0.05 genetic SD/year). With stronger G × E, the gain in the commercial tier for RM in the harsher Env. B became increasingly lower. Selection of females also within the commercial tier gave slightly higher genetic gain. The scenario with purebreeding of RM and a subnucleus in Env. B gave the highest total income and quantity of meat. However, quantity of meat in Env. A increased slightly from having crossbreeding with D, whereas that in Env. B decreased. A simple and well-designed nucleus breeding programme would increase the genetic potential of RM. Crossbreeding of RM with D is not recommended for harsh environmental conditions due to the large breed differences expected in that environment