Smallholder cattle farmers' breeding practices and trait preferences in a tropical Guinea savanna agro-ecological zone

Exploration of Extension Research to Promote Genetic Improvement in Cattle Production: Systematic Review

In the cattle industry, tools for genetic improvement play a crucial role in animal selection. The changing circumstances faced by farmers and the significant part agricultural extension plays in these changes must be considered. Despite progress in genetic selection tools and the push for their adoption through extension services, a disconnect persists between the development of new strategies and tools for genetic improvement and their adoption by livestock farmers. This systematic review is designed to globally investigate the methodology and outcomes of extension research aimed at advancing genetic improvement in beef cattle. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted across four databases for studies published from January 2012 to June 2023. Twenty-one articles were selected and reviewed. The research design in the articles predominantly employed mixed methods, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. While social factors are acknowledged as influencers in the adoption process, the application of theories or frameworks from social sciences is still in its early stages. To successfully implement extension activities that promote the use of genetic tools in cattle for a specific production region, more participatory research is required where farmers are actively involved.

Exploiting morphobiometric and genomic variability of African indigenous camel populations-A review

Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Africa are adapted to arid and the semi-arid environmental conditions, and are valuable for meat, milk and fiber production. On account of the growing demand for camels in this continent, there is a need for knowledge on their phenotypic and genetic diversity. This is fundamental to sustainable herd management and utilization including the design of appropriate breeding and conservation strategies. We reviewed studies on the phenotypic and genetic characterization, breeding objectives, systems of production, productive and reproductive performances, and pathways for the sustainable rearing and use of camels in Africa. The morphological and genetic diversity, productive and reproductive abilities of African camels suggest the existence of genetic variations that can be utilized for breeds/ecotypes' genetic improvement and conservation. Possible areas of intervention include the establishment of open nucleus and community-based breeding schemes and utilization of modern reproductive technologies for the genetic improvement of milk and meat yields, sustainable management of rangelands, capacity building of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, institutional supports, formation of centralized conservation centres and efficient and effective marketing systems.

Breeding practices and trait preferences of goat keepers at Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, South Africa: implication for the design of breeding programmes

Identification of breeding practices and trait preferences by livestock keepers for the selection of breeding animals to be parents of the next generations is the crucial step to the successful implementation of community-based breeding program (CBBPs). The study aimed to detect breeding practices and trait preferences by farmers at Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, South Africa to determine their relevance in establishing a CBBP. A well-structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 183 randomly selected goat keepers from four villages. Chi-square statistics were used to compare categorical variables among villages. Socio-economic factors and reasons for keeping goats were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the four villages. Methods of controlling mating, reasons for not controlling mating, keeping breeding bucks, source of breeding bucks, reasons for culling, and culling methods were significantly different (P < 0.05) among villages. The most common trait preferences of goat keepers among the surveyed villages were twinning ability, mothering ability, and body size in breeding does, while in breeding bucks were mating ability, growth rate, and body size. The results from this study are useful for designing CBBPs for goat production in the communal areas of Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality.

Determining the carrying capacity and environmental risks of livestock and poultry breeding in coastal areas of eastern China: an empirical model

The scale of regional livestock and poultry breeding (LPB) is generally not determined by the supporting capacity (fodder supply), but by the environmental carrying capacity of wastes from the LPB. The soil's own nutrient-supplying capacity used to be overlooked, which consequently produced an inaccurate result of carrying capacity estimation of the LPB. An empirical method was, therefore, employed to evaluate the soil's own nutrient-supplying capacity and further determine the carrying capacity and environmental risks of the LPB accurately. Thirteen counties along the coast of Jiangsu were selected to conduct this study, according to the framework of planting-breeding balance. Our results indicate that, including the soil's own nutrient-supplying capacity in the estimation of the carrying capacity of the LPB, it can reduce the original carrying capacity by 50%. This suggests that our empirical method can significantly increase the accuracy of estimating the carrying capacity of the LPB. The carrying capacity of the LPB in the study area varies from 1.5 to 48.08 pigs/hm², with a mean of 14 pigs/hm² based on phosphorus (P) balance. Furthermore, four sub-regions (Ganyu, Dongtai, Dafeng, and Guannan) that have a high P pollution risk should focus on controlling the scale of the LPB. The nitrogen (N) pollution risk in the study area is generally low. Results suggest that the soil's own nutrient-supplying capacity plays an important role in estimating the carrying capacity of the LPB accurately. This study can provide insights on reducing environmental risks of the LPB, which may be beneficial for decision makers.

Farmers' choice of genotypes and trait preferences in tropically adapted chickens in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria

This study aimed at determining chicken genotypes of choice and traits preference in chicken by smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Data were obtained from a total of 2063 farmers using structured questionnaires in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Chi square (χ²) statistics was used to explore relationships between categorical variables. The mean ranks of the six genotypes and twelve traits of preference were compared using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H (with Mann-Whitney U test for post hoc separation of mean ranks), Friedman, and Wilcoxon signed-rank (with Bonferroni's adjustments) tests. Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) was used to assign farmers into groups. Gender distribution of farmers was found to be statistically significant (χ² = 16.599; P ≤ 0.002) across the zones. With the exception of Shika Brown, preferences for chicken genotypes were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) influenced by agro-ecological zone. However, gender differentiated response was only significant (P ≤ 0.01) in Sasso chicken with more preference by male farmers. Overall, FUNAAB Alpha, Sasso, and Noiler chicken were ranked 1st, followed by Kuroiler (4th), Shika Brown (5th), and Fulani birds (6th), respectively. Within genotypes, within and across zones and gender, preferences for traits varied significantly (P ≤ 0.005 and P ≤ 0.01). Traits of preference for selection of chicken breeding stock tended towards body size, egg number, egg size, and meat taste. Spearman's rank order correlation coefficients of traits of preference were significant (P ≤ 0.01) and ranged from 0.22 to 0.90. The two PCs extracted, which explained 65.3% of the variability in the dataset, were able to assign the farmers into two groups based on preference for body size of cock and hen and the other ten traits combined. The present findings may guide the choice of appropriate chicken genotypes while the traits of economic importance may be incorporated into future genetic improvement and conservation programs in Nigeria.