Haile A., Joshi B.K., Ayalew W., Tegegne A., Singh A.
Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Jimma University College of Agriculture, Jimma, Ethiopia
Haile, A., Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jimma University College of Agriculture, Jimma, Ethiopia; Joshi, B.K., Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India; Ayalew, W., International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Tegegne, A., International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Singh, A., Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
Breed additive and non-additive effects, and heritabilities of birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), 6months weight (SMWT), yearling weight (YWT), eighteen months weight (EWT), 2years weight (TWT) and average daily weight gain from birth to 6months (ADG1) and from 6months to 2years (ADG2) were estimated in Ethiopian Boran (B) cattle and their crosses with Holstein Friesian (F) in central Ethiopia. The data analysed were spread over 15years. Ethiopian Boran were consistently lighter (p<0.01) than the B-F crosses at all ages. Ethiopian Boran also gained lower weight than all the crosses. At birth, 50% F crosses were significantly (p<0.01) lighter than all the other crosses. However, the differences in SMWT, YWT, EWT, TWT, ADG1 and ADG2 were all non-significant among the crosses. The individual additive breed differences between B and F breeds were positive and significant (p<0.01) for all traits. The individual heterosis effects were significant (p<0.05) for all traits except WWT for which the effect was non-significant. The maternal heterosis effects were significant (p<0.01) for BWT (2.5kg) and WWT (-3.0kg). The heritability estimates for all traits in B and crosses were generally moderate to high indicating that there is scope for genetic improvement through selection. Selection within B and crossbreeding should be the strategy to enhance the growth performance under such production systems. © 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
animal; article; cattle; cross breeding; Ethiopia; female; genetics; growth, development and aging; male; Animals; Cattle; Crosses, Genetic; Ethiopia; Female; Male; Bos; Friesia