Full Length Research Paper
On-farm phenotypic
characterization of indigenous
cattle populations of Awi, East
and West Gojjam Zones of Amhara
Region, Ethiopia
Fasil Getachew Kebede1*,
Workneh Ayalew2
Abstract
This exploratory survey of
indigenou cattle populations
was conducted in Awi, East
and West Gojjam Zones of
Amhara region, Ethiopia, to
identify and phenotpically
describe the indigenous
cattle populations. Four
focus group discussions with
key informants were held and
quantitative and qualitative
phenotypic data were
generated from 730 animals
(299 males and 501 females).
Outcomes of focus group
discussions revealed that
one cattle type has been
threatened by increasing
preference of farmers for
smaller body sized animals.
Results from analysis of
variance (ANOVA) on
quantitative variables
showed significant
differences between sites.
The Chi-square test
indicated that the level of
association of site with
most categorical variables
was medium except for a few
cases where it was found
higher. The Mahalanobis
distances between sites were
highly significant
(P<0.0001). The maximum and
minimum distances were
observed respectively
between Ankasha and Enemay
both for female and male
sample populations.
Discriminant analysis was
run to classify sample
cattle populations from all
sites into their respective
sites with an overall
matching rate of 80.9 % and
79.9% for females and males,
respectively. The
information obtained from
focus group discussions and
results of univariate and
multivariate analysis on
phenotypic variations led to
identification of two cattle
populations that deemed to
be distinct breed types (Gojjam
Highland Zebu and the
Fogera).While the indigenous
cattle population of the
study area was not
homogenous, the identified
breeds are significantly
different morphologically
and subsequent molecular
investigations need to be
made to confirm their
genetic distinctiveness and
measure the level of genetic
introgression especially on
the Fogera.
Key words: Phenotypic
characterization, Indigenous
cattle populations, Awi,
East and West Gojjam Zones.
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