ICARDA Diversification and Sustainable Intensification of Production Systems program
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/51719
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Item Techfit feed intervention: Urea molasses mineral block licks(Extension Material, 2015-06) Lukuyu, Ben A.; Wamatu, Jane; Makkar, H.Item Techfit feed intervention: Urea treatment(Extension Material, 2015-06) Wamatu, JaneItem Opportunities and limitations of multidimensional crop improvement in grain legumes to support increased productivity in mixed crop livestock systems(Presentation, 2016-04-18) Blümmel, Michael; Wamatu, Jane; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Moyo, SibonisoItem Review of sheep crossbreeding based on exotic sires and among indigenous breeds in the tropics: An Ethiopian perspective(Journal Article, 2016-03-15) Getachew, T.; Haile, Aynalem; Wurzinger, Maria; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Gizaw, Solomon; Abebe, A.; Sölkner, JohannThe objective of this review paper is to examine whether or not sheep crossbreeding is a feasible option to improve indigenous sheep breeds in developing countries using Ethiopian case as example. The paper reviewed and discussed the history of exotic breed introduction, research, and development efforts in crossbreeding and performance of crossbreds under on-station and on-farm management. Earlier, the choice of breed for crossbreeding overlooked interests and preferences of farmers mainly for physical appearance. More recently the introduction of Awassi sheep considered their preference. Performance evaluation results from the on-station and on-farm (mainly based on Awassi pilot crossbreeding villages) showed that crossbreds often outperformed their local contemporaries. Thus comparisons of pure local sheep and crossbreds among those breeds produced in some areas indicated a good outcome of this type of crossbreeding. However, the performance of crossbred sheep varied by location and depended on management and exotic inheritance levels. For most programs, no comprehensive data were available to do on-farm comparisons of herd productivity and cost-benefits or to evaluate the sustainability of the programs. Regardless of location, farmers participating in crossbreeding often showed keen interest in crossbreeding, mainly due to the fast growth, larger body size of crossbreds resulting in higher market prices as compared to their local sheep breeds. Ram multiplication and dissemination from the government farms were found inefficient. The predominant practice of a ubiquitous dissemination and selling of breeding rams to individual farmer dilute the efforts of crossbreeding and prevents generating the benefits expected from crossbreeding programs. Furthermore, indiscriminate crossbreeding without prior analysis of suitability of crossbreds for a given production environment and without clear breeding objectives presents a potential threat to better adapted indigenous breeds. Crossbreeding programs require strong research and development support from public service and non-governmental institutions for sustainable design, optimization, and implementation in clearly defined production environments.Item Multiple genomic signatures of selection in goats and sheep indigenous to a hot arid environment(Journal Article, 2016-03) Kim, E.S.; Elbeltagy, A.R.; Aboul-Naga, A.M.; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Sayre, B.; Mwacharo, Joram M.; Rothschild, Max F.Goats and sheep are versatile domesticates that have been integrated into diverse environments and production systems. Natural and artificial selection have shaped the variation in the two species, but natural selection has played the major role among indigenous flocks. To investigate signals of natural selection, we analyzed genotype data generated using the caprine and ovine 50K SNP BeadChips from Barki goats and sheep that are indigenous to a hot arid environment in Egypt|[rsquo]|s Coastal Zone of the Western Desert. We identify several candidate regions under selection that spanned 119 genes. A majority of the genes were involved in multiple signaling and signal transduction pathways in a wide variety of cellular and biochemical processes. In particular, selection signatures spanning several genes that directly or indirectly influenced traits for adaptation to hot arid environments, such as thermo-tolerance (melanogenesis) (FGF2, GNAI3, PLCB1), body size and development (BMP2, BMP4, GJA3, GJB2), energy and digestive metabolism (MYH, TRHDE, ALDH1A3), and nervous and autoimmune response (GRIA1, IL2, IL7, IL21, IL1R1) were identified. We also identified eight common candidate genes under selection in the two species and a shared selection signature that spanned a conserved syntenic segment to bovine chromosome 12 on caprine and ovine chromosomes 12 and 10, respectively, providing, most likely, the evidence for selection in a common environment in two different but closely related species. Our study highlights the importance of indigenous livestock as model organisms for investigating selection sweeps and genome-wide association mapping.Item Genetic diversity and structure in Egyptian indigenous sheep populations mirror patterns of anthropological interactions(Journal Article, 2015-11) Elbeltagy, A.R.; Aboul-Naga, A.M.; Hassen, H.; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Mwacharo, Joram M.Human exchange networks are instrumental in influencing gene flow among domesticates. Here, we investigated levels of within- and between-population genetic diversity in 289 animals from six indigenous sheep populations in Egypt (Barki, Farafra, Ossimi, Rahmani, Saidi, Souhagi) and 119 individuals of Awassi breed from Egypt, Turkey and Syria using 13 autosomal microsatellites. Although our analysis revealed genetic differentiation between Souhagi and other Egyptian populations, and between the Awassi from Egypt and the ones from Syria and Turkey, most likely due to reproductive isolation, Bayesian analysis identified two gene pools underlying the ancestral genetic diversity while multivariate analysis identified nine genetic clusters which could be subdivided into four broad genetic groups. Further analysis revealed that this genetic structure was the result of the exchange of genetic stocks along the Nile River valley and the Mediterranean Sea coast, but, minimal gene flow between flocks found in the Northern, Central and Southern Egypt across the Western desert. Our results support the fact that human interaction networks have shaped the genetic architecture of domestic animals while harsh environments such as deserts tend to limit human interactions and hence gene flow among domesticates.Item A gender perspective into the potential to enhance livestock productivity through improved feeding in Haleku, Adami Tullu District, East Shewa, Ethiopia(Report, 2015-06-30) Wamatu, Jane; Tucho, T.A.; Tadesse, E.; Abate, D.; Debele, G.; Semman, U.; Kinati, Wole; Mulema, Annet A.; Duncan, Alan J.Item A gender perspective into the potential to enhance livestock productivity through improved feeding in Dodicha, Adami Tullu District, East Shewa, Ethiopia(Report, 2015-06-30) Wamatu, Jane; Tucho, T.A.; Tadesse, E.; Abate, D.; Debele, G.; Semman, U.; Kinati, Wole; Mulema, Annet A.; Duncan, Alan J.Item Implementation of a cashmere goat breeding program amongst nomads in Southern Iran(Journal Article, 2015-08) Mueller, J.P.; Ansari-Renani, H.R.; Momen, S.M.S.; Ehsani, M.; Alipour, O.; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.A breeding program to improve income from Raeini cashmere herds run by nomads in Southern Iran was implemented. Eight nomads agreed on improving fleece weight, body weight and down yield while reducing cashmere fibre diameter of white coated goats. Economic weights were calculated to define a breeding objective. Each nomad established a breeding nucleus selecting visually his best 40 does and two bucks from about 250 goats. Nomads used different systems to ensure separate mating of nucleus and general herd animals. Nomads were also able to identify the progeny of each buck. Nucleus progenies were recorded for weaning weight and fleece weight. Fleece samples were collected for analyses of down yield and down fibre diameter. General herd male progeny was castrated. Formal selection indices were used to select nucleus male replacements. To construct the indices phenotypic and genetic parameters were taken from project data and published figures. Accuracy of indices ranged 0.47 to 0.66 depending on the traits included. The inferior buck based on progeny index average was replaced by the best young buck available. Other high ranked young bucks were used in the general herd. The breeding program is in its fourth cycle and favourable selection differentials were confirmed for selected bucks in all traits of interests, in particular for down weight and down diameter, 62 g and −0.5 μm, respectively. The expected benefit of the program is about 4.0 USD accumulating per goat and per year. Fleece testing is an issue since the region lacks a fleece testing service. If fleece sampling is discontinued the expected benefit reduces to about 2.8 USD per goat and per year. Circular use of bucks to control inbreeding and participation of additional nomad families are planned for the future. This experience shows that a participatory breeding program can be successfully implemented under nomadic conditions through intensive collaboration of nomad herders, regional extension officers and scientists.Item Enabling environment for success of sheep breeding programs(Presentation, 2015-12-17) Rischkowsky, Barbara A.Item Community-based sheep breeding in Ethiopia: Attractive approach to low input systems(Presentation, 2015-12-17) Haile, AynalemItem Improving the performance of pro-poor value chains of sheep and goats for enhanced livelihood, food and nutrition security in Ethiopia: Introduction to the new IFAD Project(Presentation, 2015-06-08) Rischkowsky, Barbara A.Item Community-based sheep improvement–research helps breed strong rural communities in Ethiopia(Brief, 2015-12-01) Haile, Aynalem; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Ballantyne, Peter G.Item FEAST: Feed Assessment Tool(Presentation, 2013-11-18) Wamatu, JaneItem Africa RISING/ILSSI Ethiopia pilot study on supplemental irrigated fodder production for fattening sheep at Lemo Africa RISING site, February-August 2014(Presentation, 2014-10-30) Bezabih, Melkamu; Adie, Aberra; Duncan, Alan J.; Mekonnen, Kindu; Thorpe, P.; Gandhi, V.; Mulema, Annet A.; Wamatu, JaneItem Prospects to improve the productivity of sheep fattening in Ethiopia: Status, challenges and opportunities(Report, 2014-12-15) Animut, G.; Wamatu, JaneItem Review of the reproductive performances of sheep breeds in Ethiopia: Documenting existing knowledge and identifying priority research needs(Working Paper, 2015-07-15) Rekik, Mourad; Haile, Aynalem; Mekuriaw, Z.; Abiebie, A.; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Salem, I.B.Item Livestock and Fish focus areas for results(Video, 2015-05-05) Rischkowsky, Barbara A.By Barbara Rischkowsky to the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish review and planning meeting, 23-26 March 2015Item Review of small ruminants value chain impact pathways developed for Ethiopia(Presentation, 2015-03-03) Rischkowsky, Barbara A.Item Enhancing the Dairy Processing Skills and Market Access of Rural Women in Jordan(Working Paper, 2013) Al-Hiary, M.; Yigezu, Yigezu Atnafe; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Hilali, M. El-Dine; Shdeifat, B.