Prediction of slaughter weight with body components and liner body measurement of cattle at Haramaya University abattoir, Ethiopia.

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between slaughter weight (SW) with body components and liner body measurements and investigate the coefficient of correlation between slaughter weight with body component and liner body measurements to select the best regression equation. Data on liner body measurements (height at wither and at hips, heart girth, body length, height and width of hump, height at fall and hind legs, body sheath height, height at hooks, barrel circumference, width of face, length of face and tail circumference) and slaughter weight of body components (Hot Carcass Weight (HCW), Empty Body Weight (ESW), Internal Offal (IO) and External Offal (EO)) were collected from 62 Hararghe cattle at Haramaya University abattoir. ESW was calculated as SW with less gut contents.

Quantifying phenotypic variability of indigenous chickens using morphometric traits by applying multivariate analysis: Input for sustainable rural chicken farming.

Despite environmentally influenced performance traits in farm animals, variations in morphometric characters reflect unswerving genetic effects. In this study, body weight and body dimension measurements of indigenous chickens reared in four rural communities were investigated using multivariate statistical procedures to elucidate the existence of phenotypic variability between chicken populations. The study districts were selected based on higher indigenous chicken population, geographic distance, and agro-ecological distinctiveness.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Test-Day Milk Yield, Proteins, and Composition Traits of Crossbred Dairy Cattle in Ethiopia.

Identifying genetic regions and candidate genes that influence milk production traits is critical for understanding genetic inheritance and improving both the quality and quantity of milk in dairy cattle. Crossbred dairy cattle significantly contribute to increasing milk production and ensuring food security in the middle- and high-altitude regions of Ethiopia. However, the genetic architecture underlying their milk yield and composition traits has not yet been thoroughly investigated.

Aflatoxins Levels in Concentrate Feeds Collected from Specialized Dairy Farms and Local Markets in Selected Urban Centers of Eastern Ethiopia.

Aflatoxin constitutes a significant concern for food and feed safety, posing detrimental health risks to both animals and humans. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and concentration of aflatoxins in maize feed, total mixed ration, and wheat bran collected from specialized dairy farms and local markets in three major urban centers in eastern Ethiopia. A total of 180 feed samples were collected from September 2021 to January 2022 in Chiro town, Dire Dawa city, and Harar city.

The Effects of Concentrate Supplement Levels on Feed Utilization and Red Meat Production of Blackhead Somali Sheep Fed Natural Pasture Grass Hay as a Basal Diet.

Background: In recent years, consumers have become aware of their health, and their preference has been rapidly changing to consume less fatty meat. Therefore, devising a strategy to produce lean meat is a concern in this study. One of the strategies, among others, for lean meat production is controlling the amount of supplements given to sheep.

Growth response of post weaned F1 Friesian × Borena (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) crossbred growing heifers fed on wheat straw-based densified complete feed block.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of feeding wheat-straw based densified complete feed block (DCFB) on daily weight gain, feed intake, digestibility and feed conversion rate in growing heifer calves. Eight weaned F1 Frisian*Borena (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) crossbred calves (92.5 ± 27.

Hemoglobin polymorphism and its association with morphometric and egg production traits in Ethiopian indigenous and Sasso chicken breeds.

The present study investigated the biochemical polymorphism of hemoglobin (Hb) and its relationship with performance traits of Ethiopian indigenous and Sasso chicken breeds. A total of 284 chickens reared in three agro-ecologies were examined for genetic diversity and associations with productive traits at Hb locus using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed that the Hb allele was dominant in both breeds, and a higher proportion of male chickens were Hb genotypes, while females were predominantly Hb types.

Assessing the combination efficiency of some unconventional feed resources with concentrates and Chloris gayana grass in mitigating ruminal methane production in vitro.

In a preliminary in vitro study, leaves of Acacia nilotica, Prosopis juliflora, Cajanus cajan, Leucaena leucocephala and seed kernel of Mangifera indica were identified as potential candidates in mitigating ruminal methane (CH) production. The objective of the current study was to investigate the combination efficiency of these unconventional feeds with concentrate mix (CM) or Chloris gayana grass in CH reduction. Two feed combinations in different proportions were incubated in vitro with buffered rumen fluid at Hohenheim Gas test.

Feed balances for ruminant livestock: gridded estimates for data-constrained regions.

Demand for animal-source foods and livestock feed are forecast to increase across sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, there is a need to estimate the availability of livestock feed to support decision-making at local, sub-national and national levels. In this study, we assess feed balances for ruminant livestock in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

Effects of Salinity Levels of Drinking Water on Water Intake and Loss, Feed Utilization, Body Weight, Thermoregulatory Traits, and Blood Constituents in Growing and Mature Blackhead Ogaden Sheep and Somali Goats.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of drinking water salinity levels on water intake and loss, feed intake and digestion, body weight (BW), thermoregulation, and blood characteristics on growing and mature (18.8 ± 0.39 and 21.

Improved beekeeping practices, honey bee flora potential and flowering calendar in South Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, improved hive technology dissemination was started before five-decades. However, the adoption of improved beekeeping technology is still very low. This study was conducted with the main objectives to evaluating improved beekeeping adoption level and honey yields of different hives and identification of major honey bee plants and flora calendar in the Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia.

Grazing intensity effects on rangeland condition and tree diversity in Afar, northeastern Ethiopia.

This study assessed the effects of different grazing pressures (light, moderate and heavy) on rangeland condition and woody species diversity in northeastern Ethiopia. Rangeland condition was analyzed using common protocols for the assessment of semi-arid rangelands. A total of 4 grasses, 5 herbs, 1 sedge and 14 tree and/or shrub species were identified.

Enteric methane emission factors of smallholder dairy farming systems across intensification gradients in the central highlands of Ethiopia.

Background: Following global pledges to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to the baseline level of 2020, improved quantification of GHG emissions from developing countries has become crucial. However, national GHG inventories in most Sub-Saharan African countries use default (Tier I) emission factors (EF) generated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to estimate enteric CH emissions from animal agriculture. The present study provides an improved enteric CH emission estimate (Tier II) based on animal energy requirements derived from animal characteristics and performance data collected from about 2500 cattle in 480 households from three smallholder farming systems to represent the common dairy farming in the central highlands of Ethiopia.

Evaluation of reciprocal F1 crosses of Fayoumi with two exotic chicken breeds 1: additive and non-additive effects on egg production traits.

The present study estimates additive and non-additive effects on egg production traits in genotypes generated through pure mating and reciprocal crossing of Fayoumi (FM) with Koekoek (KK) and White Leghorn (WL). Age at first egg (AFE) and body weight at first egg (BWAFE) were determined when the first bird in the pen laid its first egg, and egg weight at first egg (EWAFE) was the average weight of eggs laid consecutively during the first 10 days. Egg number (EN) and egg weight (EW) were recorded daily from AFE to 40 weeks of age.

Evaluation of reciprocal F1 crosses of Fayoumi with two exotic chicken breeds 2: additive and non-additive effects on egg quality traits.

The current study evaluates additive and non-additive genetic variances for egg quality traits in six genotypes generated through pure mating and reciprocal crossing of Fayoumi (FM) with Koekoek (KK) and White Leghorn (WL). For each genotype, measurements were taken on 30 eggs randomly sampled at 32, 36, and 40 weeks of age to evaluate both external and internal egg quality parameters. The results revealed significant differences (P < 0.

Genomic Regions and Candidate Genes Associated with Milk Production Traits in Holstein and Its Crossbred Cattle: A Review.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are a powerful tool for identifying genomic regions and causative genes associated with economically important traits in dairy cattle, particularly complex traits, such as milk production. This is possible due to advances in next-generation sequencing technology. This review summarized information on identified candidate genes and genomic regions associated with milk production traits in Holstein and its crossbreds from various regions of the world.

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of Koekoek chickens exposed to temperature variation with supplementary Coriander seed powder.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ambient temperature and coriander seeds supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Koekoek chickens. In the experiment, chickens were exposed to two temperature rooms with a heated room of 32 ± 1.2 °C from 11:00 to16:00 h and a normal room temperature with an average maximum and minimum of 23.

Production practice, microbial quality and consumer acceptability test of traditionally produced butter in North Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.

'The study was conducted to evaluate the production practices and microbial quality of butter produced in North Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The result of the study revealed that the educational status of households in the study area was 53.3% illiterate, 33.

Physiological, hematological, and biochemical responses in Hararghe-highland lamb subjected to water salinity levels of Lake Basaka in a semiarid area of Ethiopia.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of drinking salinity levels in Lake water on the growth performance, and physiological, and blood constituents of Hararghe-highland lambs. A total of 28 lambs (average IBW of 18 ± 1.18kg) were categorized into four levels of water salinity, namely freshwater (510 mg/l TDS), lake Basaka water (LBW; 2600mg TDS/L); lake Basaka water plus 100% TDS of LBW; 5200mg TDS/L) and lake Basaka water plus 200% TDS of LBW; 7900mg TDS/L).

Understanding variability in carbon footprint of smallholder dairy farms in the central highlands of Ethiopia.

Smallholder dairy farms face enormous challenges in increasing milk production while mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby enhancing climate resilience. The carbon footprint (CF) of smallholder milk production is expected to increase with increasing demand for dairy products under the business-as-usual scenario. This study estimates the carbon footprint of smallholder milk production and examines variation across farms using data from 480 households to identify viable options for mitigating GHG emissions.

Meat quality of Sasso T44 and Koekoek cockerels exposed to temperature variation with supplementary coriander seed powder.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of ambient temperature and coriander seed supplementations on meat quality of Sasso T44 and Koekoek. Both breeds were exposed to two temperature rooms with a heated room of 32 ± 1.2 °C from 11:00 am to 16:00 pm and the normal room temperature of average maximum and minimum of 23.

Defining smallholders' breeding objectives for common Tigray highland sheep in Northern Ethiopia.

A sound breeding objective is a basis for genetic improvement in the overall economic merit of farm animals. This study aimed to define smallholders' sheep breeding objectives using a conjoint-based choice experiment and bio-economic model. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed differences (p < 0.