Small ruminant breed productivity in Africa

Table of Contents

PROCEEDINGS OF A SEMINAR HELD AT ILCA, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA IN OCTOBER 1982

Edited by Ruth M. Gatenby and J.C.M. Trail

DECEMBER 1982

INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK CENTRE FOR AFRICA
P.O. BOX 5689, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT

This report on small ruminant breed productivity in Africa is based on a seminar held at ILCA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in October 1982. Basic considerations of breeding plans and production objectives are discussed. Current research approaches in Africa, India and Australia are outlined and methods of collection and analysis of production data are described. Some results of research on the productivity of small ruminants in Africa are reported.

KEY WORDS

Sheep, goats, Africa, tropics, breed evaluation, productivity, animal nutrition, disease.

This electronic document has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) software and careful manual recorrection. Even if the quality of digitalisation is high, the FAO declines all responsibility for any discrepancies that may exist between the present document and its original printed version.

Table of Contents

Preface

Contributors

General considerations

Basic considerations of breeding plans

Breeding objectives
Selection criteria and measurement techniques
Techniques for genetic improvement

Production objectives and market forces

Production from small ruminants
Individual objective
National objectives
Prospects for increased supply of meat from small ruminants
Marketing
Accessible markets with short supply: two examples

Current research

Research on small ruminants in sub-Saharan Africa

The research process
Objectives of research
The state of research on small ruminants in Africa
Nutrition
Diseases
Breeding
Why research fails

Research on small ruminants in India

Trends in sheep production in Australia

Marketing systems
Changes in breeding objectives and industry structure
Other developments
Goat production

Methods of collection and analysis of field data

Techniques for field evaluation

Within-flock comparison
Grouped-flock comparison

Evaluation of breed productivity in Africa and ILCA resources for data analysis

Quantity and value of previous animal productivity research in Africa
Present ILCA resources for analysis of current animal productivity research

Handling and analysis of production data

1. Extraction of records and preparation of coding sheets
2. Entry of data into computer file
3. Validation of data
4. Calculation parameters
5. Statistical analyses
6. Interpretation
7. Peripheral studies linking statistical outputs with biological effects

Results of research in the field

Husbandry, nutrition and productivity of goats and sheep in tropical Africa

Husbandry
Nutrition
Productivity
Potential for improved production

Seasonal breeding effects on productivity

Disease as a constraint to productivity

Conclusion

References

Participants