Conservation-based breeding program design for genetic improvement in Gumz sheep in the western lowlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Genetic improvement in livestock in developing countries like Ethiopia remains challenging; selectionbased breeding schemes have the potential to provide resource-poor producers with access to improved animals that could ensure increased productivity of animals and hence contribute to reduced poverty. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare alternative breeding program designs to improve productivity of Gumz sheep for sustainable utilization and conservation of genetic resource. In this paper, two village-based and two central nucleus-based sheep breeding schemes were modeled and evaluated in terms of their biological and economic efficiencies. The schemes were scheme-1: a village-based breeding scheme with existing lambing, scheme-2: a village-based scheme with improved lambing, scheme-3: central nucleus-based scheme with 5% nucleus size and scheme-4: central nucleus-based scheme with 10% nucleus size. Results:The annual genetic gains per year in 6-month weight (kg) were differed across schemes and ranged from 0.154 to 0.171 in village-based scheme, and 0.334 to 0.336 in central-based schemes. The annual genetic gain per year in number of lambs born per ewe bred ranged from 0.0017 to 0.0036% in both village-and central nucleus-based scheme. The genetic gain in the proportion of lambs weaned per ewe was comparable across central nucleus-based scheme but little differed in village-based schemes and ranged from 0.0015 to 0.0016%. Conclusion:Central nucleus-based schemes resulted in the highest genetic gain and economic efficiencies in all breeding objectives compared to village-based schemes. However, this scheme requires establishing a very large central nucleus flocks. Village-based scheme with estrous synchronization was the best option. The expected genetic gains and profits were higher as it promotes participation of farmers and achieving concentrated lambing which in turn increase selection intensity and genetic progress. This suggested the possibility for sustainable Gumz sheep improvement and conservation through village-based schemes and estrous synchronization.

Productive and reproductive performance of Dawuro highland sheep managed under community-based breeding program in Ethiopia

“…This could be due to the combined result of selection with better feed availability in the studied area. Results obtained in the current study were nearly comparable with the report of [ 7 ]; which is 14.8±2.49 kg for Doyogena sheep, under the same CBBP management system, [ 6 ]; 14.40±0.23kg for Rutana sheep under on farm management system, and [ 19 ]; 14.8±0.22kg for Bonga sheep breed under CBBP management system. However higher result of WWT 15.5 kg was reported by [ 17 ] for the Bonga sheep breed.…”

“…Males were superior to females 21.60±0.15 Vs 19.71±0.16kg. The results are relatively smaller than previous studies by [ 7 ] for Doyogena sheep and other several authors finding [ 6 ]. Birth year was a significant source of variation for SMWT where the heavy SMWT was recorded in 2021 while the lowest was in 2018.SMWT trend across years was in increasing.…”

“…As indicated by [ 2 – 5 ], CBBPs are being implemented in various communities in Ethiopia intended to increase sheep productive and reproductive performances. Evaluation of reproductive and productive performance for the native indigenous sheep population is essential for conservatory considerations [ 6 ], to test the efficiency of applied CBBP [ 7 ] and to provide breeder, researcher and policy maker with information to develop more efficient selection program in the future [ 4 , 7 ]. However, studies on the performance of CBBPs on productive and reproductive traits in sheep are scarce in Ethiopia [ 4 ].…”

Small Ruminant Community Breeding Program in Indonesia

“…Ethiopia as one diverse country on animal genetic resources (Dagnew et al 2018) reported genetic improvement using various models of genetic improvement advantaging Gumz sheep in Ethiopia. Selection based breeding schemes have the potential to provide resource-poor producers with access to improved animals that could ensure increased productivity of animals and contribute to reduced poverty.…”

Review on current status of Bonga, Afar, Menz, and Horro sheep breeds genetic improvement: Breeding program and progress

“…In order to assess the genetic potential and reaction of regional breeds to selection, as well as to build an elite nucleus flock as a source of enhanced rams, the program began closed nucleus breeding in research facilities [ 33 ]. According to Gumuz [ 65 ], compared to village-based schemes, the central nucleus plan produced the maximum genetic gain and cost efficiency across all breeding objectives. The central nucleus program was created in 2009 to maximize genetic benefits [ 22 ], with an emphasis on giving the village farmer the best rams for breeding from the central nucleus.…”