Preliminary analysis of Dawuro sheep growth performance managed under community-based breeding programs in south Ethiopia

A preliminary Performance analysis of Dawuro sheep from the ongoing Dawuro sheep community-based breeding program (CBBP) was made. Data for this study were collected over a period of ۳ years (۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۹). Studied traits were birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), ۶-month weight (۶WT), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG۰-۳), and average daily gain from weaning to ۶-month age (ADG۳-۶). The analyses were carried out using SAS software. The least square means for BWT, WWT, and ۶WT, ADG۰-۳, and ADG۳-۶ were ۲.۵۵±۰.۰۴ kg, ۱۳.۹۵±۰.۱۴ kg, ۱۹.۸۸±۰.۰۴۴, ۱۲۵.۶۸±۱.۵۵ gm and ۷۰.۳۵±۴.۷ gm respectively. Phenotypic progress for most of studied traits has shown promising improvements. The preliminary result suggests that selection based on ۶WT can be effective in improving performance of Dawuro sheep. Thus, strengthen the cooperatives and continuation of selection therefore recommended for bringing further improvements. Estimation of genetic parameter and genetic trend is required for more information and optimization. Analysis of correlated traits also suggests for more efficient selection program.A preliminary Performance analysis of Dawuro sheep from the ongoing Dawuro sheep community-based breeding program (CBBP) was made. Data for this study were collected over a period of ۳ years (۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۹). Studied traits were birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), ۶-month weight (۶WT), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG۰-۳), and average daily gain from weaning to ۶-month age (ADG۳-۶). The analyses were carried out using SAS software. The least square means for BWT, WWT, and ۶WT, ADG۰-۳, and ADG۳-۶ were ۲.۵۵±۰.۰۴ kg, ۱۳.۹۵±۰.۱۴ kg, ۱۹.۸۸±۰.۰۴۴, ۱۲۵.۶۸±۱.۵۵ gm and ۷۰.۳۵±۴.۷ gm respectively. Phenotypic progress for most of studied traits has shown promising improvements. The preliminary result suggests that selection based on ۶WT can be effective in improving performance of Dawuro sheep. Thus, strengthen the cooperatives and continuation of selection therefore recommended for bringing further improvements. Estimation of genetic parameter and genetic trend is required for more information and optimization. Analysis of correlated traits also suggests for more efficient selection program.

Keywords:

Community-based breeding program , Dawuro sheep , Preliminary results