Production, reproduction and some adaptation characteristics of Boran cattle breed under changing climate: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction Climate change affects livestock production and productivity, which could threaten livestock-based food security in pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems of the tropics and sub-tropics. Boran cattle breed is one of the hardiest Zebu cattle reared by Borana Oromo pastoralists for milk and meat production. However, there is limited comprensive information on production, reproduction and adaption traits of the Boran cattle in Ethiopia. Thus, this paper aims to compile the main production, reproduction and some adaptation traits of Boran cattle based on systematic review and meta-analysis of peer reviewed published and unpublished literature. Methodology A combination of systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA guideline was employed. Accordingly, out of 646 recorded articles identified through database searching, 64 were found to be eligible for production, reproduction and adaptation characteristics of the Boran cattle, 28 articles were included in qualitative systematic review while 36 articles were used for quantitative meta-analysis. Result The Boran cattle breed has the ability to survive, produce and reproduce under high ambient temperature, utilize low quality forage resources, and resist water shortage or long watering intervals and tick infestations. The review revealed that the breed employs various adaptation responses (morphological, physiological, biochemical, metabolic, cellular and molecular responses) to cope with harsh environmental conditions including climate change, rangeland degradation, seasonal feed and water shortages and high incidences of tick infestations. The meta-analysis using a random-effects model allowed provision of pooled estimates of heritability and genetic correlations for reproduction and production traits, which could be used to solve genetic prediction equations under a population level in purebred Boran cattle. In addition, heritability and genetic-correlation estimates found in the present study suggest that there is high genetic variability for most traits in Boran cattle, and that genetic progress is possible for all studied traits in this breed. Conclusion The Boran cattle breed has the ability to survive, produce and reproduce under high ambient temperature, utilize low quality forage resources, and resist water shortage or long watering intervals and tick infestations. However, currently there are several challenges such as recurrent droughts, pasture deterioration and lack of systematic selection and breeding programs that play to undermine the realization of the potential of the breed. Thus, we recommend systematic selection for enhancing the reproductive and production performances without compromising the adaptation traits of the breed coupled with improved management of rangelands.

Quantifying morphometric and adaptive characteristics of indigenous cattle genetic resources in northwest Ethiopia

“…This unique naval flap size of Jawi may develop through continuous selection, hence farmers in the study location perceive animals, which have large navel flaps as better breeding animal. Tail length of Jawi cattle was mainly longer than other sites included in this study and in line with the report of Horro, Ogaden, Mursi and Boran cattle [ 12 , 17 , 19 , 32 , 33 ]. This Long tail for Jawi cattle is used to protect from biting of flies and other external parasites [ 12 ].…”

“…These variables with larger associations played an important role in distinguishing cattle populations [ 37 ]. The coat colour is an important morphological trait that imparts adaptive ability of heat-stressed livestock [ 12 ]. White with red, light red, white, fawn and grey dominant coat colour of Jawi cattle were lining to the report of [ 21 ] for Goffa cattle.…”

“…That coat color type may obtain continuous natural and human selection enabling to adapt to the hot and dry existing environment. For instance, white/light colour animals reflect 50–60% of direct solar radiation compared with the dark colour one that are advantageous in hot tropical regions [ 12 , 39 ]. Sinan cattle have a black dominant coat color type, similar to Arsi and Simada cattle breeds [ 34 ], which are well-adapted to Ethiopia’s highlands [ 31 ].…”

“…This is because indigenous cattle have been naturally selected for adaptive traits such as disease tolerance and resistance, as well as adaptation to harsh environments and low-quality feeds for many years [ 10 , 11 ]. Indigenous cattle breeds are more adapted to high temperatures, solar radiation, and dry conditions than exotic cattle breeds due to their short hair, thin skin, and high skin pore density, which allows them to effectively regulate their body temperature [ 12 ]. Despite the potential of diverse genetic resources, the huge loss of cattle genetic diversity in developing countries, and the contribution of cattle to food security affirmation and poverty reduction is undermined and suffer lack of due attention [ 13 ].…”

Sıcaklık-Nem İndeks Değerlerinin Yerli Kara Erkek Sığırlarda Bazı Davranışlar Üzerine Etkileri

“…Animals tend to stand more in the afternoon hours, as reported by Allen et al (2015) and Heinicke et al (2020). In general, animals under heat stress tend to orient themselves in different directions and spend more time standing to avoid direct solar and ground radiation (Sejian et al, 2018;Bayssa et al, 2021). In this study, it was determined that bulls mostly slept at night to alleviate the effects of heat stress experienced during the daytime.…”