Morphometrical Traits and Structural Indices of Malle Cattle Reared in the South Omo Zone of Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to morphometrically and morphologically characterized Malle cattle using some predefined qualitative and quantitative parameters and to develop some structural indices to access their type and function. Data were collected through field observations and linear measurements of sample cattle. A total of 360 cattle of different ages of were selected randomly from different locations and morphometrical measurements were carried out on it. Qualitative traits were evaluated using non parametric tests. Quantitative traits were analysed using descriptive statistics. The observed coat color patterns of cattle were predominantly plain. Red and white colored animals predominated across both the sexes. The result of morphometrical measurements indicated that Bulls with young age group (4 year age) exert strong significant effect (p<0.01) on Heart Girth (HG), Height at Rump (HR), Height at Withers (HW), Neck Circumference (NC), Muzzle Circumference (MC) and Chest Depth (CD) while in cows with age group 4 significant effect (p<0.01) on heart girth (HG) and muzzle circumference (MC) whereas (p<0.05) Height at Withers (HW) were observed. Similarly, in age group 5 significance effect (p<0.01) on Heart Girth (HG), Neck Circumference (NC) and Chest Width (CW) whereas (p<0.05) Height at Rump (HR) and Height at Wither (HW) were also observed. The weight of the bulls and cows were best assessed using skeletal measurements viz. body length, height at withers and rump, besides chest depth and width. The findings from the structural indices also indicated that the cattle were well balanced and body length and height were more or less proportional. It was conclude that, along with other managerial improvement, the productive aptitude of the cattle through morphometry can provides relevant information to guide and enhance their productive performance.

Structural Traits, Structural Indices and Body Weight Prediction of Arsi Cows

“…The average value of chest width obtained in this study is lower than those reported by Demerew et al [14] for Malle cows but higher than those reported by Worku [16] for Sheka cows. Further study indicated that Arsi cows have lower chest depth than Fogera cows [18] .…”

“…The average height at rump of Arsi cows was shorter than findings of Dereje [15] for Horro cows. The observed value of height at rump was taller than Malle cows that reported from South Omo of Ethiopia [14] .…”

“…The observed average value of height at wither of Arsi cows was shorter than Begait cows that reported by Teweldemedhn and Selam [12] while, it was similar with report of Dessalegn et al [13] for Arado cows. However, the average height at wither obtained was taller than Malle cows [14] . The average height at rump of Arsi cows was shorter than findings of Dereje [15] for Horro cows.…”

“…This is an indication of the compactness of the Arsi cows [7] . The results pertaining to the weight index showed that the weights of the Arsi cows are lower than that of the Malle cattle [14] . The difference in body weight index may be associated with the difference in agro-ecologies from where the cows came.…”

“…The values pertaining to the neck circumference indicate that the neck is narrower when compared to that of the Begait breed [26] , but wider than that of Malle cattle [14] . This may be ascribed to the breed character.…”