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On-farm phenotypic characterization of Mursi cattle in its production environment in South Omo Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2015

Endashaw Terefe ,
Tadelle Dessie ,
Aynalem Haile ,
Wudyalew Mulatu  and
Okeyo Mwai
Endashaw Terefe*
Affiliation:
Arsi University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 193, Asella, Ethiopia
Tadelle Dessie
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Aynalem Haile
Affiliation:
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Wudyalew Mulatu
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Okeyo Mwai
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
*
Correspondence to: Endashaw Terefe, Arsi University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, P. O. Box 193, Asella, Ethiopia. email: [email protected]
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Summary

This study was conducted to characterize the morphological peculiarities and performance characteristics of Mursi cattle in its production environment managed by Bodi and Mursi pastoral communities in Southern Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire survey, group discussion, cattle morphological measurements and morphological descriptions were used to collect data. One hundred and two household heads were selected to administer the questionnaire and 201 adult cattle were selected for morphological description and body measurements. The Mursi cattle population was found to have variable coat colour type (85.9 percent) and coat colour pattern (51.3 percent). Body length, chest girth, withers height, rump width and rump length of Mursi cattle were 122.1 ± 0.9, 144.5 ± 0.9, 113 ± 0.1.1, 36.9 ± 0.3 and 20.4 ± 0.3 cm, respectively. Morphological measurements of most linear traits show no difference in the two locations but all measurements vary (P < 0.001) between males and females. Estimated age at first calving was 4.6 years and was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the Mursi area, while the calving interval (14.5 months) and cow reproductive life (14.2 years) were the same in both locations. Average daily milk yield (2.1 litres) and lactation length (7.8 months) of Mursi cattle in the two locations were similar. Cattle production was constrained by high disease prevalence, seasonal feed availability, and water shortage, with frequent drought. Trypanosomosis, black leg, anthrax and skin diseases are major cattle diseases reported in the two study areas. Because of its peculiar morphological characteristics, including large body frame, higher production performance, and survivability in the harsh environment, the Mursi cattle can be used as an alternative genetic resource for production improvement programs.

Résumé

Cette étude a été menée dans le but de caractériser les particularités morphologiques et les performances productives des bovins Mursi dans son milieu de production, géré par les communautés pastorales Bodi et Mursi dans le Sud de l’Éthiopie. Un questionnaire structuré, un groupe de discussion et des mesures et des descriptions morphologiques des bovins ont été utilisés pour la collecte des données. Cent-deux chefs de famille ont été sélectionnés pour le questionnaire alors que 201 animaux adultes ont été choisis pour la description morphologique et les mesures corporelles. Il a été observé que la population bovine Mursi présente des couleurs (85,9 pour cent) et des motifs de la robe (51,3 pour cent) variés. La longueur du corps, le périmètre thoracique, la hauteur au garrot et la largeur et la longueur de la croupe chez les bovins Mursi ont été de 122,1 ± 0,9, 144,5 ± 0,9, 113 ± 0,1, 36,9 ± 0,3 et 20,4 ± 0,3 cm, respectivement. Aucune différence n'a été décelée entre les deux zones pour ce qui est de la plupart des mesures linéaires mais toutes les mesures ont varié (P < 0.001) entre mâles et femelles. L’âge estimé à la première mise bas a été de 4,6 ans et a été significativement (P < 0.0001) plus élevé dans le territoire Mursi, alors que l'intervalle entre mises bas (14,5 mois) et la vie reproductive des vaches (14,2 ans) ont été les mêmes dans les deux zones. La production moyenne journalière de lait (2,1 litres) et la durée de la lactation (7,8 mois) ont été similaires pour les bovins Mursi des deux territoires. La production du bétail a été limitée par une prévalence élevée de maladies, par la variation saisonnière dans la disponibilité en aliments et par le manque d'eau, dû aux fréquentes sécheresses. La trypanosomiase, le charbon symptomatique, la fièvre charbonneuse et les maladies cutanées ont été les principales maladies identifiées chez les bovins des deux zones étudiées. En raison de leurs caractéristiques morphologiques particulières, parmi lesquelles leur grand format corporel, leurs plus grandes performances productives et leur capacité de survie en milieu hostile, les bovins Mursi peuvent être utilisés comme une ressource génétique alternative dans les programmes d'amélioration de la production.

Resumen

Este estudio fue llevado a cabo con el fin de caracterizar las peculiaridades morfológicas y los rendimientos productivos del ganado bovino Mursi en su ambiente de producción, gestionado por las comunidades pastoriles Bodi y Mursi en el Sur de Etiopía. Para la toma de los datos, se emplearon un cuestionario estructurado, un grupo de debate y medidas y descripciones morfológicas del ganado. Ciento dos cabezas de familia fueron escogidos para el cuestionario mientras que se seleccionaron 201 animales adultos para la descripción morfológica y las medidas corporales. Se observó que la población bovina Mursi presenta colores (85,9 por ciento) y patrones de color de la capa (51,3 por ciento) variables. La longitud corporal, la circunferencia torácica, la altura a la cruz y la anchura y la longitud de la grupa en el ganado bovino Mursi fueron, respectivamente, de 122,1 ± 0,9, 144,5 ± 0,9, 113 ± 0,1, 36,9 ± 0,3 y 20,4 ± 0,3 cm. No se detectaron diferencias entre las dos ubicaciones para la mayoría de los parámetros lineales, si bien todas las medidas variaron (P < 0.001) entre machos y hembras. La edad al primer parto estimada fue de 4,6 años y fue significativamente (P < 0.0001) mayor en el área Mursi, mientras que el intervalo entre partos (14,5 meses) y la vida reproductiva de las vacas (14,2 años) fueron iguales en ambas localizaciones. La producción media diaria de leche (2,1 litros) y la duración de la lactación (7,8 meses) fueron similares entre las dos áreas para el ganado Mursi. La producción del ganado se vio limitada por la alta prevalencia de enfermedades, por la variabilidad estacional en la disponibilidad de alimento y por la escasez de agua, debida a las frecuentes sequías. La tripanosomiasis, el carbunco sintomático, el ántrax y las enfermedades cutáneas fueron las principales enfermedades identificadas en el ganado bovino en las dos áreas de estudio. Debido a sus peculiares características morfológicas, entre las cuales se incluye su gran formato corporal, su mayor rendimiento productivo y su capacidad para sobrevivir en un ambiente hostil, el ganado bovino Mursi puede ser utilizado como un recurso genético alternativo en los programas para la mejora de la producción.

Keywords

body measurementbreed characterizationMursi cattlemorphological descriptionbovins Mursidescription morphologiquemesure corporellecaractérisation racialeganado bovino Mursidescripción morfológicamedida corporalcaracterización racial
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 57 , December 2015 , pp. 15 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2015 

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