Popularization of dorper sheep breed for enhancing production and productivity of local sheep: In the case Enda-Mekoni Woreda Southern Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has endowed sheep breed with poor productivity in terms of meat yield. Therefore demonstration of Dorper breed sheep was conducted at Enda-Mekoni Woreda with the objective of improving production and productivity of local sheep. Two pure male Dorper sheep were introduced to Enda-Mehoni Woreda for community based breeding strategies. Data such as live Body weight and farmer perception were collected. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ranking methods. At the beginning, community had negative perception and not willing to cross their sheep with Dorper sheep. However, Farmers were given higher scored (49) to pure Dorper sheep on selection criteria for, male breeding stock. As a result, it's off spring (50% local and Dorper) was scored higher (97) on productivity and reproductive performance. In the present study, body weight of male crossed sheep was recorded 40 kg which is 18.7 kg higher body weight gaining as compared to local sheep with similar age. Moreover, crossed ewe had 8.5 kg superior on body weight gain compared to similar age of local sheep. Farmers notified that, pure Dorper and its crossed sheep had superior traits on loin, sternum, shoulder, body conformation, puberty age and marketable weight. The popularized Dorper sheep and its crossed had increased body weight growth as well as reproductive performance while crossed with local sheep. Therefore, it can be conclude that Droper sheep is adaptable to highland Tigray region as well as preferable to upgrade local sheep productivity.