Genetic parameter estimates for daily predicted gross feed efficiency and its association with energy-corrected milk in South African Holstein cattle.

Genetic parameters for daily predicted gross feed efficiency (pGFE) and energy corrected milk (ECM) in the first three parities of South African Holstein cattle were estimated by repeatability animal models. Data comprised of 11,068 test-day milk production records of 1,575 Holstein cows that calved between 2009 and 2019. Heritability estimates for pGFE were 0.

Livestock phenomics and genetic evaluation approaches in Africa: current state and future perspectives.

The African livestock sector plays a key role in improving the livelihoods of people through the supply of food, improved nutrition and consequently health. However, its impact on the economy of the people and contribution to national GDP is highly variable and generally below its potential. This study was conducted to assess the current state of livestock phenomics and genetic evaluation methods being used across the continent, the main challenges, and to demonstrate the effects of various genetic models on the accuracy and rate of genetic gain that could be achieved.

Prediction of dry matter intake and gross feed efficiency using milk production and live weight in first-parity Holstein cows.

Direct measurement of dry matter intake (DMI) presents a major challenge in estimating gross feed efficiency (GFE) in dairy cattle. This challenge can, however, be resolved through the prediction of DMI and GFE from easy-to-measure traits such as milk production (i.e.

Genetic diversity and population structure of three native cattle populations in Mozambique.

In the present work, the population diversity and structure of three populations of native Mozambican cattle were studied, to develop knowledge that is required for sound conservation and genetic improvement programs of these genetic resources. A total of 228 animals (Landim, Angone, and Tete) were genotyped using the International Dairy and Beef version three (IDBV3) SNP BeadChip array. Population parameters varied within a limited scope, with the average minor allele frequency (MAF) ranging from 0.

Genetic diversity and relationships among three Southern African Nguni cattle populations.

The Nguni cattle breed has distinct populations that are adapted to the different ecological zones of Southern Africa. This study was carried out to assess genetic diversity and establish the relationships among South African (SA), Mozambican (Landim), and Swazi Nguni cattle populations, using 25 microsatellite markers. Genotypic data were generated from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples of 90 unrelated individuals of the three cattle populations, collected from government conservations and stud herds.

Towards a genomics approach to tick (Acari: Ixodidae) control in cattle: a review.

Ticks and tick-borne disease (TBD) are major challenges to cattle production in the tropics and subtropics. Economic losses associated with ticks amount to billions of dollars annually. Although efforts to eradicate ticks and TBD using chemical control strategies have been implemented in many developing countries for decades, these acaricides are costly, and cattle susceptibility to ticks remains unchanged.

Use of factor scores for predicting body weight from linear body measurements in three South African indigenous chicken breeds.

Body weight and weight of body parts are of economic importance. It is difficult to directly predict body weight from highly correlated morphological traits through multiple regression. Factor analysis was carried out to examine the relationship between body weight and five linear body measurements (body length, body girth, wing length, shank thickness, and shank length) in South African Venda (VN), Naked neck (NN), and Potchefstroom koekoek (PK) indigenous chicken breeds, with a view to identify those factors that define body conformation.