Evaluation of Alternative Breeding Objectives Using Computer Simulation Modeling for Abergelle Goats in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Kahsa Tadel — 2024-12-26

Simulation-based genetic selection plays a vital role in designing cost-effective, practical breeding schemes that align with farmers' needs and promote goat genetic improvement. This study aimed to evaluate alternative breeding objectives for Abergelle goats in northern Ethiopia using the Zplan+ software. The breeding goal traits considered included six-month weight, pre-weaning survival rate, and kidding interval. Four alternative breeding objectives were assessed, varying in the number of traits included in the selection index, while all traits were retained in the aggregate breeding goal. Results showed minimal differences between the alternatives, with a slightly higher predicted annual genetic gain of 0.3815 kg for six-month weight when only this trait was included in the selection index (alternative 4). In comparison, alternative 1, which included all traits, resulted in a slightly lower gain of 0.3806 kg. Predicted annual genetic gains for pre-weaning survival and kidding interval ranged from 0.00107% to 0.00148% and from 0.0113 to 0.0161 years, respectively. Overall, the simulation results indicated a good range of genetic gains across the alternatives, with minimal variation. Alternative 4, which includes only six-month weight in the selection index is more practical for implementation at the farm level with minimal genetic gain loss for the selected trait. However, to ensure sustained progress, the inclusion of additional traits should be considered over time.

White Lupin (Lupinus albus) Grain and Wheat Bran Mixture Supplementation Effects on Feed Utilization and Growth Performance of Washera Sheep Fed Teff (Eragrostis teff ) Straw as a Basal Diet

Birkie Yeshaneh — 2024-12-26

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of processed white lupin grain (PWLG) and wheat bran (WB) mixture supplementation on feed intake, digestibility, body weight change, and economic feasibility of the feed treatments using Washera sheep. Twenty-five intact yearling sheep with a mean initial body weight (IBW) of 15.7 ± 0.19 kg (mean ± SD) were divided into five groups, with five animals in each group, and treatments were randomly allocated to each animal in a group (block). The treatments were teff straw ad libitum + 70 g WB (T1, control), T1 + 75% WB + 25% PWLG (T2), T1 + 50% WB + 50% PWLG (T3), T1 + 25% WB + 75% PWLG (T4), and T1 + 100% PWLG (T5). The results showed that teff straw contained 4.6% crude protein (CP) and 76.5% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), while PWLG and WB contained more than 7- and 2-times crude protein over teff straw in that order. The results of the study also indicated that significant (p <0.0001) increments in dry matter (DM) intake (705 g to 884 g) and other intakes were recorded when the proportion of PWLG in a mixture was increased from 0 to 75% (T1 to T4) while declined intakes (except crude protein intake) were observed when the proportion of PWLG reached to 100% (T5). Likewise, dry matter and nutrient digestibility, feed-to-body weight conversion efficiency, and in turn average daily gain (6.67 to 64 g/day) were increased when the proportion of PWLG in a mixture was increased from 0 to 75% (T1 to T4) while declining when the level of PWLG reached 100% (T5) indicating T4 (25% WB and 75 PWLG) is the optimum level of this mixture. Net return and marginal return also followed similar trends. Therefore, it could be suggested that 25% WB and 75% PWLG mixture supplementation is cost-effective to increase the body weight and then a better economic return of Washera sheep.

East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Evaluation of Alternative Breeding Objectives Using Computer Simulation Modeling for Abergelle Goats in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

White Lupin (Lupinus albus) Grain and Wheat Bran Mixture Supplementation Effects on Feed Utilization and Growth Performance of Washera Sheep Fed Teff (Eragrostis teff ) Straw as a Basal Diet