Genetic Study of Gudali and Wakwa Beef Cattle Breeds of Adamawa Region, Cameroon

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate genetically the growth performance of the Gudali and Wakwa beef cattle.

Data utilized for this study was obtained from the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IARD), Wakwa Station, Cameroon.

The data used consisted of pedigree information of 3788 animals and 2276 performance records for the Gudali and Wakwa cattle respectively, ranging from birth to 36-months weight collected from 1968 and 1988.

The data were collected from compiled herd books (calf record sheet, bull progeny record sheet and cow record sheet) consisting of pedigree information and performance records from birth to 36-months weight for both the Gudali and Wakwa breeds.

The raw data were edited such that the utilized records gave complete information on calf identity, sire identity, dam identity, sex of animal, dates of birth, season of birth, herd and weights at birth, 3- month weight (3MWT),

4- month weight (4MWT), 6-month weight (6MWT), weaning weight (WWT), 12-month weight (12MWT), yearling weight (YWT), 18- month weight (18MWT), 24-month weight (24MWT),

30-month weight (30MWT) and 36- month weight (36MWT). In order to determine the fixed effects that were included in the model,

A preliminary analysis was performed using the general linear models procedure as implemented in the statistical package, Statistical Analysis System 8.2.

Inbreeding coefficient was calculated using the Multiple Trait Derivative Free Numerator Relationship Matrix (MTDFNRM) programme of the Multiple Trait Derivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (MTDFREML) package.

Table Of Contents

Title Page……………….. i

Certification…………… ii

Dedication…………….iii

Acknowledgement…………….v

Table of Content………….. vii

List of Tables………………viii

List of Figures………….ix

Abstract…………………. x-xiii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

• : Introduction…………………….1-9
• : Objective of Study…………….. 4
• Justification…………………. 4-6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

• World’s Population of Cattle…………….. 10-12
• Origin and History of the Breeds………….11-12
• Breed Description…………………………….13
• Environmental (non-genetic) factors affecting growth traits………15-17
• Inbreeding and Its Effect on Growth Traits…………..17-21
• Co (Variance) Components and Genetic Parameters for Growth Traits………… 21-24
  • Variances components for growth traits………. 21-23
  • Covariance components between direct and maternal effect for growth traits… 23-24
  • Correlations between direct and maternal (r_am) effects on growth traits………. 24-26
• Heritability Estimates for Growth Traits…………… 26-35
• Genetic correlations between growth traits…………. 35-39

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD

• The Study Area…………………….. 40-41
• Foundation Animals……………….. 41
• Breeding Programme (Selection and mating)……………… 43
• Management of the Herd……………. 43
  • Calf Management………………….. 43-44
  • Health Management……………………. 44
  • Feeding Management……………….. 44
• Source of Data, Data Collection and Editing………….. 44-45
  • Source of Data…………………….. 44-45
  • Data Collection………………….. 45
  • Data editing…………………… 45-46
• Statistical Analysis…………………….. 46-47
• Genetic Analysis……………………….. 47-50

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

• Basic statistics…………………… 54
• Factors which affect growth performance of Gudali and Wakwa calves……….. 55-66

4. 3 Results of inbreeding…………………. 64-66

• Variance- covariance components……………. 67-70
• Heritability estimates in the Gudali and Wakwa cattle………… 72-82

4.7      Genetic correlations between growth traits……………… 83-90

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion …………………….91

5.2 Recommendations………………..94

References……………….. 95-121

Appendices……………..122-178

Introduction

Background Of Study

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in the economy of many developing countries where it provides survival mechanism for up to 80% of the population (Cupps, 2007). It plays a central role in the rural economy of the developing nations (Omage et al., 2007).

The food crisis that has engulfed Africa and the developing countries requires a more concerted effort. Major food sources in the developing countries are almost entirely starchy foods such as tubers, roots, and cereal crops.

These obviously do not and cannot satisfy the protein needs of the populace. Protein intake and particularly animal protein consumption is generally grossly below the recommended rate (Omage et al., 2007).

The British Medical Association recommended a minimum daily intake of 34.4g of animal protein per adult per day.

Unfortunately most developing countries, consumption is at 7.5g of animal protein as against 28g consumed by an average Briton (Wines, 2009).

Over 800 million people worldwide suffer from malnutrition and hunger either because of low food production and unequal distribution and also because the people are too poor and therefore lack the income to acquire adequate quantities and qualities of food (Bayemi et al., 2005; Palitza, 2009).

This is true of the people of Africa who consume foods that consist mainly of starch and oil (Redmond, 2009). Cattle production offers an avenue for rapid transformation in animal protein, because beef enjoys wide acceptability in the world (Zahraddeen et al., 2007).

Cattle also contribute to subsistence, nutrition, income generation, social and cultural functions. However, their main products remain meat, milk, hides, manure and traction.

Beef and milk consumption have grown more than 5% per year and are projected to grow even faster until 2020 (Cupps, 2007).

References

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Abate A., Dzowela, B. H. and Kategile, J. A. (1992). Intensive animal feeding practices for optimum feed utilization. Future of livestock industries in East and Southern Africa. Proceedings of the Workshop held at Kadoma Ranch Hotel, Zimbabwe 20-23 July 1992. p. 94.

Abdel-Glil, M. F. and El-Banna, M. K. (2001). Genetic and non- genetic analysis for body weight traits for calves in a herd of Friesian cattle in Egypt. Minufya J. Agrie. Res., 26: 99.

Abdel-Moez, K. A. (1996). Studies on growth performance of Holstein-Friesian calves in a commercial herd. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agrie, Cairo Univ., Egypt pp 30- 50.

Abdullah, A. R. and Olutogun, O. (2006). Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters for preweaning growth traits of N’Dama (Bos taurus) calves in the humid tropics of Nigeria. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 18 (8) 2006.

Afin, Y. A. and Soliman, A. M. (1971). Sources of variation on birth and weaning weights of Friesian calves. Agrie. Ree. Rev., 49: 1.