Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research
Volume:11 Issue: 3, Summer 2023

The current review deals with the growth, milk, and reproductive performance of Holstein Frisian crosses in Ethiopia. The growth performance of Holstein Frisian crosses ranged from 22.13±0.14 kg to 31.74±0.29 kg of birth weight (BW), 47.5±0.58 to 140.72±2.26 kg of weaning weight (WW), and 314.7±4.5 to 492.9±9.6 gram of pre-weaning average daily gain (PrWADG). Holstein Frisian x Boran had better growth performance, followed by Holstein Frisian×Barka. The Holstein Frisian x Horro had the least performance when compared to other Holstein Frisian cross. The reproductive performance of Holstein Frisian crosses ranged from 23.7±4.08 to 36.8 ± 0.8 months for age at first service (AFS), 33.36±4.6 to 53.60±3.44 months for age at first calving (AFC), 1.2 ± 0.34 to 2.7±0.18 for number of service preconception (NSPC), and 13.2±1.45 to 21.36±3.84 months for calving interval (CI). The reproductive performance of all HF crosses was not substantially different; all crosses had a broad range of performance values in various farming systems. The daily milk yield (DMY), lactation milk yield (LMY), and lactation length (LL) varied from 5.4±0.24 to 9.14±4.3 kg, 1918±51 3579±842 kg, and 9.13±1.99 to 12.68±3.12 months, respectively. Dairy cow performance is affected by genotype, season, age, production system, feed and nutrients, management, environment and climate, and sickness (disease). This unjustifiable performance of the HF crossbred breed needs planned technical and institutional action for support services, a suitable breeding program for the production system, skilled manpower (veterinarian and AI technicians), and increased forage production.

The study was conducted at Dubti Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Research Center to evaluate the productivity performance of indigenous Afar cattle breeds and suggest optimum management practices. The overall mean and (standard deviation) of birth weight, 3-month weight, 6-month weight, 9-month weight, 12-month weight, 18-month weight, and 24-month weight of Afar calves were 22.3 (1.6), 49.3 (3.5), 77.7 (10.4), 107.8 (3.4), 116.3 (6.7), 139.7 (8.1), and 165.5 (8.6) kg, respectively. The mean birth weight was 23.7 kg for males and 21.4 kg for females, and the average weaning weight at 3 months was 52.3 kg for males and 47.5 kg for females. Mean weaning weights at 6 months and 9 months were 77.2 kg and 110.8 kg for males; and 78.1 kg and 106.0 kg for females, respectively. The mean yearling weight (12-month weight) for males and females was 118.6 kg; and 115.0 kg, respectively. Furthermore, the 18-month and 24-month live body weight was 140.8 kg and 169.4 kg for males and 139.1 kg and 162.2 kg for females, respectively. The overall means ± SD for DMY, LMY, and LL were recorded to be 4.0±1.05 litter per cow per day, 917±207 litter per lactation, and 236.0±38.00 days, respectively. The overall average AFS, AFC, and CI of indigenous Afar cattle were 40.2±4.21 months, 50.4±7.4 months, and 15.6±2.7 months, respectively. The result indicated that promising growth, milk production, and reproductive performances of the Afar cattle breed in its local environment are favorably comparable in the literature to other indigenous cattle breeds evaluated in other parts of Ethiopia. However, due to limited number of parent stocks in the existing research farms, limited infrastructure, shortage of grazing pastureland at a research site, and unsuitable irrigation canal for the production of improved animal forage were major constraints during animal performance evaluation and less productivity of the animals were recorded in the study. Therefore, solving and improving the limited constraints mentioned above are paramount suggestions to evaluate the production, the productivity of the indigenous afar cattle breed can be completely improved and the research could be studied more comprehensively. 

The argument about the advantages and disadvantages of cage and cage-free housing in laying hens has long been a hot topic in social and scientific circles. The debate gained popularity again after wide public support and the positive response of the European Commission to the  European Citizens' Initiative “End the Cage Age” in 2021. Welfare organizations have set their efforts to transform existing legislation into more ethical and sustainable farming systems based on documented behavior characteristics and enhanced human-to-animal relationships. Recently several reports have been published to offer insights into all questions concerning management, production, health issues, and profitability in the sector. The effect of short-term subsidies and educational programs have also been discussed as future measures if the ban on furnished cages is realized. This article aims to describe and analyze the current situation to search for alternatives that can ease the transition to cage-free husbandry.

The review was carried out on different locally available non-conventional feeds with the objective of determining the effect of different locally available non-conventional feeds on the nutritional security of ruminant animals. Non-conventional feeds are feeds that are not usually common in the market and are not the traditional ingredients used for commercial feed production. Non-conventional feed resources include feeds like residues of local drinks like Areke, Tella, and Khat left over, fruits and vegetables left over, poultry manure, waste products of animal processing, such as offals from fish or Monogastric animals, and feather meal. Those non-conventional feed resources are partially richer in energy and protein. It is well known that the inclusion of non-conventional feed resources in livestock feeding at different levels meets the objective of bridging the gap between demand and availability of feed and reducing the cost of feed as well as production. They can also improve the productivity of livestock that are kept on overgrazed pastures and crop residues. However, care should be taken to avoid the negative effects of these feeds on animals by using various methods to improve the utilization of non-conventional feeds. Finally, current review concluded that locally available non-conventional feeds as important for the nutritional security of ruminant animals.

Loss of local or native breeds occurs through breed replacement (primarily by imported or exotic breeds) or by dilution through cross-breeding (generally indiscriminate rather than planned). These losses in both cases generally occur for reasons unrelated to productivity. To assess the real genetic effects of breed loss or within-population selection, suitable measures of genetic variation must be available. The subject of this review is the genetics management of animal genetic resources, namely of domesticated livestock species and breeds. The conservation program itself, the necessity of identifying and prioritizing species that are threatened, and regular monitoring systems for detecting changes in the status of animal populations are all given attention. The necessity to combine preservation and better use is underlined as practical conservation challenges are assessed. The possibilities of using animal genetic resources in biotechnology are described. The institutional, financial, and administrative frameworks required for a conservation program, as well as its regional and national components, are discussed. The recommendations given are directed toward Institutional Infrastructures, Monitoring Practices, Breed Development and Conservation Programs, Biotechnology, and Legal Aspects.

The current review article aims to briefly highlight the most important genomics technologies used to create breeds that are productive and well-adapted in a given circumstance. It also emphasizes the role of bioinformatics in modern chicken breeding. Advances in genomics information technologies are valuable opportunities for achieving the required improvement, but their implementation implies access to technical and financial resources with suitable adjustment in the local situation. The majority of domesticated livestock species are chickens. The foundation for genomics has been established by the dramatic advancement of molecular genetics. The applications of the newest generations of molecular markers are incredible tools for farm animals' genetic advancement. These markers offer more precise genomic data and an improved understanding of the animal genetic resources. Genomics tools are essential for the accurate, fast, and efficient breeding of animals. Compared to other domesticated animals, chicken is widely accepted and has little to no taboos in terms of cultures, religions, and society. About resolving the issues of food security in a world affected by climatic change and human population expansion, it offers a unique genetic resource due to its resilience to a variety of environmental circumstances and demonstrated potential for breeding improvement. The historical evolutionary history of the chicken has been reconstructed thanks to recent investigations that have revealed new information about its DNA. Breeders of chickens must move more quickly towards creating and choosing enhanced breeds that can withstand environmental stress without compromising production and productivity.