Browsing by Subject "Crossbreeding"

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    Contribution of cattle breeds to household livelihoods and food security in southern Mali
    (2017) Traoré, Sékou Amadou; Valle Zárate, Anne
    In recent decades, there has been a rapid shift in livestock breeds used in developing countries. Local breeds are increasingly being replaced by exotic breeds, leading to a loss of genetic resources. The introduction of more productive but less adapted exotic livestock breeds might offer opportunities. However, it may also pose threats to the livelihoods of poor farmers. In southern Mali, where cattle play an important role in the livelihoods of rural households, the endemic trypanotolerant N’Dama cattle, are increasingly replaced and crossbred with the larger and more milk yielding trypano-susceptible Fulani Zebu. Thus, the N’Dama cattle face serious threats of genetic erosion, despite their adaptive attributes. A systematic comparison of the endemic N’Dama cattle, Fulani Zebu cattle and their crosses under the same farming conditions is required to reveal whether farmers benefit from the introduction of Fulani Zebu cattle or are negatively affected by the replacement of N’Dama purebreds. The overall objective of the study was, therefore, to evaluate and compare N’Dama cattle with Fulani Zebu and their crossbreds based on their performance and contribution to household economic benefits and food security, taking into account the production environment and farmer breeding strategies. Specific objectives were (i) to investigate the production objectives and trait and breed preferences of cattle keepers; (ii) to evaluate and compare the productive and economic performances of N’Dama cattle, Fulani Zebu cattle and their crossbreds in order to assess the comparative advantages of these breed groups for farmers; and (iii) to examine households’ food security and coping strategies, with a particular emphasis on the contribution of different cattle breeds. The study was carried out in the communes of Sibirila and Garalo, which are located in the Sikasso region of southern Mali. A stratified random sampling based on cattle and breed ownership was applied for the selection of 258 households. The 160 households with a herd were grouped into four herd categories based on breed composition. Forty-five households with only oxen and 53 without cattle represented two additional herd categories. Data collection methods encompassed household interviews, herd surveys and focus group discussions. The herd surveys were carried out for 120 households to assess individual cows’ (n=770) performances using a cow progeny history survey and body condition scoring (BCS). Food security was assessed using a household dietary diversity score (HDDS), food consumption score (FCS), and modified household food insecurity access scale (mHFIAS). Gross margin, net benefit and cost benefit ratio were calculated for the assessment of economic performance and efficiency. Besides descriptive statistics, data were analysed using an exploded logit model, mixed linear models and non-parametric tests using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Draught power and savings were the most important production objectives. Farmers reported a large body size as the most preferred trait, followed by fertility, draught ability and milk yield. N’Dama was valued for disease and drought tolerance and their good traction ability. Crossbreds were the favored breed group and were appreciated for milk yield and body size, similar to Fulani Zebu. Breed preferences were mainly explained by resistance to disease for N’Dama cattle and high market price for Fulani Zebu and crossbred cattle. Production objectives, trait and breed preferences were mainly influenced by farmers ethnicity and cultural background. Results on cow individual performances showed a higher body condition for N’Dama compared to crossbred and Fulani Zebu cattle. Gross margin and the benefit-cost ratio were highest in Fulani Zebu herds, followed by crossbred herds due to higher revenue generated from cattle and milk sale from these herds. The higher cash revenue for the sale of cattle in crossbred and Fulani Zebu herds was explained by the higher offtake rate in these two herd categories and a 25 and 60% higher selling price for crossbred and Fulani Zebu, respectively, than for N’Dama cattle. When non-market benefits were included, economic performances between the herd categories were similar as shown by the similar net benefit per cattle. Cattle ownership and breed group were important determinants of all household food security indicators. Households keeping Fulani Zebu and mixed herds had the highest FCS, which was mainly explained by their more frequent milk consumption compared to the other breed groups. HDDS and FCS were positively correlated with diversity of food crops cultivated on farm and household wealth and negatively correlated with cotton cultivation. Generally cattle herd ownership was strongly associated with improved household diet diversity and reduced vulnerability to food insecurity. The results of the present study showed that the ongoing replacement of native N’Dama cattle by Fulani Zebu cattle and their crosses is contributing to an improved household economic situation and food security. Fulani Zebu and crossbred cattle are the most suitable options for market-oriented local and settled transhumant farmers, given their higher price and increased profitability. The N’Dama cattle remain a valuable breed for subsistence-oriented local farmers for whom non-market benefits from cattle such as saving play a considerable role. Further research is required to investigate possible ways of optimizing and organizing the ongoing process of crossbreeding between the N’Dama and Fulani Zebu cattle, with a more systematic crossbreeding and selection program in line with the farmers’ interest.
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    Physiologische und genetische Einflüsse auf die Qualität von Schweinefleisch aus baden-württembergischen Gebrauchskreuzungen
    (2012) Fecke, Anna; Weiler, Ulrike
    What genotypes, basing on the genetic lines supplied by German Genetic, guarantees both a high-value carcass and excellent pork quality and high eating quality and also how the criteria of fertility, weight development and yield at slaughter, relate to the criteria of pork quality. 10 genotypes were studied. Therefore the sows crossbred represent typically genotypes in Baden-Württemberg as well as the Leicoma hybrid sows. These sows were bred at the LSZ Boxberg with Pietrain and Duroc boars. The sows of the LW*(LC*DL) had the highest fertility rate. The boar lines showed no influence on either the birth weight or fertility parameters. The boar line, however, did reflect a highly significant influence on the daily gain in all further production periods (Duroc vs. Pietrain: suckling +8%; rearing +3,8%; fattening +6,5%).The offspring from the sows LW*(LC*DL) had the greatest daily gain in the suckling period and had a higher weaning weight (+6%, p<0.05) than the offspring from the LW*(SH*DL), which achieved the lowest overall weaning weight. On analyzing the relationship between the development weights in the various production periods and the birth weight, it was obvious that the birth weight provides a significant positive influence on the performance in every production period, except for rearing. Indeed, in the rearing period the animals with a high birth weight tended to show low daily gains, whereas the piglets with a low birth weight were able to partially compensate for the early growth deficit during this period. The Pietrain offspring had more lean meat content than the Duroc offspring. The dissection in Trial #2 shows that the Pietrain offspring had 3.3% more ham content and 4.0% more of the valuable cuts. The Duroc offspring had less lean meat content in the belly (-4.2%, Gruber Formula), more back fat (+13.7%), more leaf fat (+14.6%), and 12.5% more corrected fat area than the Pietrain offspring. The offspring of the sows LC*LW had a significantly shorter carcass than the offspring of the other sows. The offspring from the 50% Leicoma sows showed the greatest corrected fat area. The offspring from the sows LW*(LC*DL) had 17.1% less corrected fat area. The correlation analysis resulted in the established relationships. Especially of a practical interest, is the close relationship between lean meat content (FOM) and the pork underbelly (Gruber Formula) (r=0.92; n=240; p<0.001). For nearly every parameter the results of the pork quality grading under practical conditions (Trial #1) tended toward improved values for the pigs with Duroc genes, which showed a significantly lower drip loss. The influence of the sows on pork quality parameters was negligible. Besides these parameters, some carcasses were also characterized with PSE qualities (pH1<5.8; conductivity 24hr p.m.>8.0mS/cm). In Trial #1, based on the pH-readings at the slaughterhouse, almost no carcasses (0.15%) were identified with PSE, whereas the conductivity measurements in ham, 5.79% of the carcasses were identified as PSE. In Trial #2, 15.0% of the animals were PSE based on pH1 or conductivity measurements in the loin and ham. There were 5 carcasses which have PSE after both measurements in loin and ham. In the histochemical analysis of the muscle fiber classification the only difference between the boar lines was found in the percentage of red fibers. The eating quality tests revealed an influence from the boar line. In general, all genotypes produced a high quality lean meat content according to the market requirements. As to expectation the improved pork quality of the Duroc breed was justified by the best eating quality, an improved water-holding capacity and a higher intramuscular fat content. An acceptable overall pork quality can be achieved by pairing the offspring from the Pietrain*LW*(LC*DL). The offspring with some Schwäbisch-Hall genes have an opportunity to establish a regional market. However, their performance was not convincing because in fertility, in daily gain, and even in pork quality they attained below average values. Nevertheless, an optimal pork quality can be achieved more efficiently with other genotypes. On establishing predicting criteria, the percentage of PSE of the pork carcasses is quite positive. The superiority of the 24hr p.m. conductivity value for the drip loss predict is evident here. The measurement of the conductivity subsume the effects of slaughtering and cooling and is more appropriate than the pH1 value, especially, for the incoming inspection in the deboning area as well as for quality assurance.
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    Untersuchungen zu Einfachgebrauchskreuzungen beim Merinolandschaf
    (2013) Henseler, Stefanie; Bennewitz, Jörn
    The present study examined the meat and carcase quality of lambs slaughtered in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg in order to determine the sire breeds most suitable for the Merinolandschaf, a Merino land race. For this purpose, rams of the meat breeds Charollais, Ile de France, Blackheaded sheep, Suffolk and Texel were bred to the widespread Merinolandschaf in order to produce cross bred lambs. In addition, rams of the Merinolandschaf were used to produce purebred lambs. The lambs were raised on seven farms, then fattened at one farm and slaughtered. 1600 lambs were used to evaluate meat quality, fattening performance and yield at slaughter. 105 animals were chosen from a total of 1600 lambs used in the study. These were tasted by a panel consisting of 21 persons. Results of this sensory analysis were combined with results in regard to fattening performance, yield at slaughter and quality of meat in a joint index. The net gain from fattening of the Texel sheep surpassed all other crossbreeds. In regard to yield from slaughter, crossbreeds with Charollais, Ile de France and Texel showed improvement in development of haunches and classification. Texel crossbreed ranked highest in respect to meat area of the chops. The parameters determining the quality of the meat – drip loss and loss by cooking – were lowest for pure Merinolandschaf. High shear force was necessary for meat of Suffolk and Texel crossbreeds, whereas Charollais crossbreed showed the lowest value for this parameter. The sensory analysis showed that crossbreeds with Charollais, Blackhead sheep and Suffolk as well as the pure breed Merinolandschaf are well suited to production of high-quality lamb‘s meat. In addition, it was shown that lamb’s meat from the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg differs significantly from lamb’s meat from New Zealand. There is a significant negative correlation between shear force according to Warner-Bratzler and the perceived tenderness of meat. The joint index consists of 10 economically relevant parameters, relatively weighted according to economic factors. The first rank was achieved by the crossbreed with Ile de France, followed by Texel, Suffolk and Blackhead sheep. To choose the optimal rams, i.e. the optimal sire breed, under practical circumstances, it is vital to take the conditions of the individual farm – such as marketing strategies – into consideration. With different weighting of single traits ranking of breeds can differ.