Is growth rate more important than survival and reproduction in sheep farming in Ghana?

Abstract

The local Djallonké sheep in Ghana is characterized by slow growth and low reproductive rates, but is resistant to most diseases and parasites (survival traits). In an attempt to improve the performance of the local sheep, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has chosen growth rate as the breeding objective. This is being achieved through the Open Nucleus Breeding Scheme, with the Ejura Sheep Breeding Station being the nucleus farm. The objective of this work was to find out which of the three traits (survival, growth rate and reproduction) is worth including in the breeding objective in the sheep breeding scheme in Ghana. The study was carried out at Ejura Sheep Breeding Station. The method used to compare the three traits involved calculating the economic values of the three traits by using computer models. The economic value of a trait was defined as the marginal profit per ewe per year resulting from a unit increase or decrease in the average value of a trait, whilst holding the average levels of all other traits constant, and at a discount rate of 0 and 12.5%. The results of the study indicated that on average, traits associated with survival had the highest average discounted (12.5% over the lifetime of the breeding ewe-5.6667 years) economic value (¢ 3330.04 or $0.36). This was followed by reproduction (¢1944.72 or $0.21) with growth rate recording the lowest average discounted economic value of ¢703.96 or $0.08. This means that the order of importance of the three traits with respect to profit maximization in the sheep industry is survival > reproduction > growth rate. It was concluded that all three traits (survival, reproduction and growth rate) should be included in the breeding objective of the sheep breeding scheme in Ghana, instead of concentrating only on growth traits.

Relative economic value estimates of grasscutter production traits

“…This was followed by survival, reproduction, growth rate and feed intake, with docility making the lowest contribution. This work contrasts earlier results reported by Annor et al (2000) in beef cattle and Annor et al (2007) in sheep in Ghana.…”

“…Relative Economic Values are needed to define breeding objectives whereby greater importance may be given to traits of higher economic merits (Morris et al, 1978). Economic values have been calculated for cattle (Annor et al, 2000) and sheep (Annor et al, 2007) in Ghana. However, there is lack of information on REVs of grasscutter production traits in the literature.…”

Influence of pelleted browse-based supplements fed with a basal diet of Andropogon gayanus hay on intake, digestibility, growth and haemato-biochemical indices in West African Dwarf goat

“…The challenges associated with confinement in the cropping season, coupled with the scarcity of quality feed during the dry season severely constrain small ruminant production in Ghana (Adjorlolo et al, 2016) affecting income generation. Slow growth rate, unstable weight gains, lowered resistance to diseases and reproductive problems of small ruminants have been reported in these instances (Annor et al, 2007, Konlan, 2010. The provision of appropriate supplementary feed which can supply substantial amounts of dietary energy, protein and minerals would be an important step in enhancing the productivity of ruminants in Ghana.…”

Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of West African Dwarf Rams Fed Ensiled Elephant Grass and Gmelina Arborea Leaves

“…Decline in nutritive value of vegetation resulting from senescence combine to make it difficult for livestock to meet their nutritional requirement during the dry season. Such a situation has long been recognized to result in cyclic body weight gain in the rainy season and weight loss in the dry season (Annor et al, 2007). To break this cycle, animal nutritionists have recommended feed supplementation.…”