Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Cattle in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

The survey was carried out in western zone of Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia with the aim to describe phenotypic characteristics, cattle production system, trait preferences, breeding practices, constraints in efficient utilization of the breed and to use the information generated as baseline data to design breeding strategy of the breed.  To collect the data, in-depth interviews, group discussions, and structured questionnaire were used. The production system employed, purpose of keeping the animals, preferred cattle traits by farmers were assessed. Phenotypic descriptors were directly measured using measuring tape. Reproduction and production performance data was collected and battle necks for Begait cattle production were investigated. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was employed to analyze the data. Results showed Begait cattle are kept in a mixed crop-livestock production system and are the dominant livestock species in the area. Cattle have multi-functional roles in the production systems. Among reason of keeping cattle, breeding was ranked first followed by milk production. Reproduction performance, body size, and physical appearance were among the highly ranked preferred traits for male cattle in that order. Preferred traits for female cattle include reproduction, milk yield, and mothering behavior. The mean linear measurements of female Begait cattle were: height at wither (131. 48±0.25cm), body length (128.13±0.16cm) heart girth (159.55±0.24). In male Begait the values were: height at wither (136.99±0.10cm), body length (135.96±0.09cm), and heart girth (168.91±0.10). The reproduction and production performance results showed; age at first puberty (female) (35.51±0.14 months), age at first calving (48.68±0.16 months), calving interval (17.06±0.11 months) and lift time productivity (8.2±0.02 years); daily milk yield (2.52±0.03 liter), lactation length (6.38±0.03 months) and lactation milk yield (482.95±6.24 liters). Cattle owners had developed a culling mechanism for maintaining the desired quality of their animals. Among the problems of cattle production in the area, seasonal feed shortage, diseases and drinking water scarcity were the major ones. Farmers perceived that Begait cattle population decreased over the years and it is on the verge of extinction. It is concluded that appropriate breeding strategies and conservation models should be designed for overall breed improvement.