The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
CHARACTERISATION OF ZULU (NGUNI) SHEEP FOR
UTILIZATION, IMPROVEMENT AND
CONSERVATION
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
Kunene NW, Bezuidenhout CC, Nesamvuni EA, Nsahlai IV
University of Zululand
North-West University, Potchefstroom
Limpopo Department of Agriculture
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
ZULU SHEEP
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
• Between the third and second centuries, migrators brought early Iron Age communities into the eastern parts of South Africa
• One group of the Iron Age people came down the east coast to Natal.
• Brought sheep and cattle which are suspected to be the ancestors of the Nguni breeds
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
• The Nguni sheep of Zululand are called Zulu sheep
• Swaziland: Swazi sheep
• Zulu sheep are found in the communal areas of KwaZulu-Natal
• Research flocks: Makhathini Research Station and at the University of Zululand
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
• For many decades, indigenous genetic resources have been perceived as unproductive and inherently inferior to high performance or improved breeds
• Consequently: subjected to cross-breeding or even replacement with exotic breeds
• Rapid decline in numbers of the indigenous breeds
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
Reports: Zulu sheep numbers are declining due to replacement and crossbreeding with exotic breeds
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
Not enough information available on characteristics of Zulu sheep
Need to document Zulu sheep genetic and phenotypic resources and to design and implement strategies for their sustainable conservation.
Traditional farmers in developing countries manage their livestock according to their indigenous knowledge.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
Maintenance of the remaining livestock diversity in communal farming require:
• Support for research on indigenous knowledge and
• Capacity building at grassroots and at national level
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
The objectives of the present study were:• To obtain information on the utilization, socio-
economic and cultural values by the farmers using the Zulu sheep breed;
• To preliminary characterise and estimate phenotypic variation within the Zulu sheep breed using six morphological characteristics;
• To estimate the live weight prediction equations of the Zulu sheep breed using some body linear measurements and;
• To assess the genetic variation within this breed.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
INTRODUCTION
The aim:
• Preliminary characterisation for utilization, improvement and conservation.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
1. Interviewed 76 farmers in the rural north
of KwaZulu-Natal:
• Utilization
• Socio economic status on keeping livestock including Zulu sheep
• Management patterns including indigenous knowledge
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
2. Three populations of Zulu sheep under extensive management
• Two populations from research stations (250 km apart)
1. UNIZULU 2. Makhathini Research Station
• One population from the community at Enqutshini-KwaMthethwa: 40km from UNIZULU
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Measurements of heart girth (HG) wither
height (WH), live weight (LW) , Scrotum circumference (SC) for 2½ years
Some parameters of reproductive performance: birth weight, parity and litter size
Ear length (El) and ColourThe age of sheep was estimated using
dentition.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3. Random amplified polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis was carried out using DNA of 52 Zulu sheep from the three populations.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
MATERIALS AND METHODS 1. Intra and inter- population
phenotypic and genetic diversity was expressed as dendograms using complete linkage of Minitab (1998)
2. The regression and Pearson coefficients procedures of Minitab Inc. (1998) were used for the analysis
3. ANOVA: GLM of Minitab (1998)
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
• 20% total income per annum: generated from livestock
• 3.5 % of the total income from livestock was obtained from sheep sales
Use of sheep:i) Source of foodii) Sometimes given to relatives as
presentsiii) Payments of penalties iv) Sales when there is need
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
• 30 % of farmers keep sheep• Sheep are 3% of total livestock• All sheep owners reported to
keep Zulu sheep
Different survey in four districts of KZN: 4031 Zulu goats, 2424 cattle and 433 Zulu sheep
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Adaptability traits reported:i) Resistance to diseasesii) Good meat quality iii) Ability to flourish in the hot and
humid climate of KZN
No dipping in these areasDewormed only if there is sign of
internal parasite i.e. mucus
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Supplements:
Groundnuts and some leaves of certain species like Sarcostemma viminale, Crinum macowanii which increase milk production
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Main constraint mentioned:• Lack of knowledge on animal
husbandry
Solution:
• Government could intervene with more extension officers
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS
Dominant colours:• Brown and a white colour
combination
Brown or dark brown are born as black lambs and gradually change to brown or dark brown as the lambs grow
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. 32 kg for females and 38 kg for males2. LW and LBM of Zulu sheep were
significantly affected by change of season
3. Similar for summer and autumn and for winter and spring
4. Differences of 2.58 kg, 3.90 cm and 1.52 cm for LW, HG and WH, respectively were realized
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Another study under extensive environment:
• Zulu sheep did not lose weight
between wet (29.1 ± 1.21kg) and dry seasons (27.9 ± 0.79 kg)
• Increase forage time and bite size in the dry season
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
Effect of areaUNIZULU KwaMthethwa Makhathini
Live weight 22.76a ± 0.44N=843
28.54b ± 0.50N=874
34.28c ± 0.44N=652
Heart girth 68.67a ± 0.50 N=843
72.58b ± 0.57N=874
75.48c ± 0.51N=652
Wither height 58.04a ± 0.34N=843
59.84b ± 0.42N=874
64.58c ± 0.42N=652
Scrotum circumference 22.11a ± 0.54N=156
26.32b ± 0.59N=186
27.35b ± 0.58N=181
Ear length size% Ear buds (% Small (3> <6 cm) % Medium (6> <9cm) % Large(9> up to14 cm)
N=8611.6315.1230.2343.02
N=892.25
10.1123.6064.05
N=2537.12
13.8327.6751.38
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
• No control of a breeding season• Lambing throughout the year • 36% in autumn; 33% in winter; 27% in
summer, 11% in spring • Birth weight: 2.5 ± .42 kg male 2.1 ± .53
kg female • Average litter size = 1.09• Highest litter size = 1.45 at fourth parity
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
• In community, mortality high = 30%
• 55% lambs died in winter• Weaning weight = 12.72 ±
1.52 kg for males and 11.29 ± 1.35 kg for females
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
• Best predictor of the live weight at different sex and age groups was computed from combination of both wither height and heart girth
• Range: R2 = 0.54 - 0.81• SC best predictor of LW for
rams aged below 22 months• Range: R2 = 0.61- 0.78
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Phenotypic diversity:Considering: LW, WH, HG, EL,
SC • 45.37% at Makhathini• 41.25 % at UNIZULU • 32.53% at KwaMthethwa• Between three populations =
46.20%
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Genetic Diversity using RAPDs• 11% at Makhathini• 9% at KwaMthethwa• 5 % at UNIZULU• Between populations = 22%
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
CONCLUSION
• Farmers appreciate the value of the Nguni sheep
• Not aware of how the breed can be utilized to bring sustained income
• Interested to learn
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
CONCLUSION
• Zulu sheep: not a large breedbut have good characteristics which
make them suitable for rural farming
• There is good indication of genetic diversity between populations
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RECOMMENDATION
• Improvement and conservation program
• To include training that builds on indigenous knowledge concepts as well as appropriate relevant modern technologies
• Animals may improve in LW if a supplementary program is applied
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RECOMMENDATION
• Open nucleus: three tier system of flocks with three phases:
• nucleus, sub-nucleus and village flocks is recommended.
• A nucleus flock would have to be established within the governmental ranches
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.
RECOMMENDATION
• Genetic research using appropriate genetic markers especially mtDNA and microsatellites between more populations in KZN
• Possibly SNPs• Phenotypic characterisation
for populations across KZN
The 5The 5thth
All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.