Genetic analysis of efficiency-related traits in Boer x Central Highland goats.

This study aimed to identify important non-genetic factors and estimate genetic parameters for efficiency-related traits in Boer x Central Highland goats. The genetic parameters were estimated using the Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood algorithm using the WOMBAT program fitting animal model. The least-squares means for growth efficiency from birth to 3 months (GE1), 3-6 months (GE2), 6-12 months (GE3), relative growth rate from birth to 3 months (RGR1), 3-6 months (RGR2) and 6-12 month (RGR3) were 294.

Whole-genome resequencing reveals genomic variation and dynamics in Ethiopian indigenous goats.

Ethiopia has about 52 million indigenous goats with marked phenotypic variability, which is the outcome of natural and artificial selection. Here, we obtained whole-genome sequence data of three Ethiopian indigenous goat populations (Arab, Fellata, and Oromo) from northwestern Ethiopia and analyzed their genome-wide genetic diversity, population structure, and signatures of selection. We included genotype data from four other Ethiopian goat populations (Abergelle, Keffa, Gumuz, and Woyto-Guji) and goats from Asia; Europe; and eastern, southern, western, and northern Africa to investigate the genetic predisposition of the three Ethiopian populations and performed comparative genomic analysis.

Growth curve analysis in different generations of Boer x Central Highland goats using alternative estimation models.

Growth curve analysis can help to optimize the management, determine nutritional requirements, predict the weight of animals at a specific age, and to select highly productive animals. Therefore, this study aimed to find the best-fitted nonlinear functions to provide a specific shape of the growth curve from birth to yearling age in different generations of Boer x Central Highland goats. Gompertz, Logistic, Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Monomolecular, Negative exponential, and Richards models were evaluated to quantify their ability to describe the biological growth curve.

Estimation of crossbreeding and genetic parameters for reproductive traits of Boer x Central Highland goats in Ethiopia.

Additive genetic and non-additive parameters for reproductive traits of Boer x Central Highland goats were estimated. Pedigree and performance records comprised of Central Highland and their crosses with Boer goats were collected from 2009 to 2018 in the Sirinka Agricultural Research Center sheep and goat breeding station. Least-squares means for genotypes were obtained using a general linear model procedure in SAS.

Genetic diversity and within-breed variation in three indigenous Ethiopian sheep based on whole-genome analysis.

The objective of this work was to study genetic diversity by comparing whole genome sequence data of Rutana, Gumuz and Washera sheep found in Amhara and Benishanguel gumuz regional states of Ethiopia. We employed variant calling format tools version 0.1.

Evaluation of growth and efficiency-related traits of different levels of Boer x Central Highland crossbred goats.

The growth and efficiency-related traits of the Boer x Central Highland goats raised semi-intensively were evaluated. Besides, genetic and non-genetic factors affecting growth and efficiency-related traits were identified. Data were collected over a period of nine years in a flock of Boer crossbred goats and analyzed using general linear model procedure of SAS.

On-farm evaluation of growth and reproductive performances of Washera and Gumuz sheep in northwestern Ethiopia: Basics for setting up breeding objectives/goals.

Growth and reproductive performance traits are traits of economic importance for sheep selection and productivity improvement interventions. This study aimed at comparative evaluation of growth and reproductive performance traits of sheep in the highland and lowland agro-ecologies of northwestern Ethiopia. Data on growth performance traits were collected from 144 Washera (78 males and 66 females) lambs and 72 Gumuz (37 males and 35 females) lambs.

Phenotypic ranking experiments in identifying breeding objective traits of smallholder farmers in northwestern Ethiopia.

We executed two live animal ranking experiments, own-flock and group-animal ranking, to identify the breeding objectives of Arab and Oromo goat keepers in northwestern Ethiopia as a preliminary step towards designing sustainable breeding programs for two goat populations. In the own-flock ranking experiment, a total of 147 households, out of which 46 were Arab and 101 were Oromo goat keepers that live in semi-arid and sub-humid agroecologies respectively, were visited at their homesteads and were asked to choose their first best, second best, third best and the most inferior does from their own flock. The reasons of ranking and life history of the does (age, previous production and reproduction information) were inquired and recorded; live body weight and some linear body measurements were taken.

Reproductive performance and milk production of Central Highland and Boer x Central Highland goats.

This study was conducted to evaluate the reproductive performance and milk production potential of Central Highland and Boer x Central Highland goats under semi-intensive management. Data were collected from 2009 till 2018 in the Sirinka goat breeding station. A general linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) was used to analyze the data.

Estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits and Kleiber ratios in Boer x Central Highland goat.

Accurate performance evaluation and genetic parameters estimation are the prerequisites for any successful genetic improvement program. This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters for growth and Kleiber ratio traits in Boer x Central Highland goats. On-station data collected from 2009 to 2018 were utilized for the study.

Breeding practices and trait preferences of smallholder farmers for indigenous sheep in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia: Inputs to design a breeding program.

The aim of this study was to identify breeding practices and trait preferences for indigenous sheep in three districts (Estie, Farta and Lay Gayient) located in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia. Questionnaire survey and choice experiment methods were used to collect data from 370 smallholder farmers. Respondents were selected randomly among smallholder farmers who own sheep in the aforementioned districts.

Production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers in northwestern Ethiopia: implications for community-based breeding programs.

We conducted a household survey in the semi-arid and sub-humid parts of Benishangul Gumuz region in northwestern Ethiopia to better understand and describe production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers. Multistage random sampling was employed to select peasant associations, while probability proportional to size sampling was used to select households. Data were collected from 249 households, out of which 86 were Arab and 163 were Oromo goat keepers that live in semi-arid and sub-humid agroecologies, respectively.