Development of breeding objective for Tanganyika shorthorn zebu

Authors

  • G. L. Chasama Tanzania Livestock Research Institute-Lake Zone, P.O. Box 124 Misungwi Mwanza, Tanzania and Department of Zoology & Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • A. S. Hepelwa Department of Agricultural Economics and Business, College of Agricultural Sciences and Food Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35096 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • F. D. Chibwana Department of Zoology & Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • J. V. Katandukila Department of Zoology & Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/tvj.v38i2.2

Keywords:

beef cattle, bio-economic modeling, economic values, relative importance, selection

Abstract

The major constraint to beef production in Tanzania is low production of Tanganyika Shorthorn Zebu (TSZ) cattle, the main source of beef in Tanzania. This necessitates the need for a targeted improvement of TSZ cattle to enhance its beef production. However, there is no clear objective on which trait of TSZ should be targeted as a breeding objective and the basis for its selection. This study aimed to develop breeding objective by evaluating different desired traits of Tanganyika Shorthorn Zebu (TSZ) in terms of economic value. A total of 64 commercial TSZ cattle farmers were sampled and interviewed. Bio-economic modeling method was used to derive economic values (EVs) of traits linked to beef production. Among the traits captured in the model, includes body weight at maturity (WM), longevity (L), weaning weight (WW), age at first calving (AFC), and post-weaning daily weight gain (PoDG). WM and L had negative EVs whereas WW, AFC and PoDG had positive EVs. Therefore, WW, PoDG and AFC are recommended for consideration for inclusion as traits of interest when breeding TSZ for beef production.

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Published

28-09-2024

How to Cite

Chasama, G. L. ., Hepelwa, A. S. ., Chibwana, F. D. and Katandukila, J. V. . (2024) “Development of breeding objective for Tanganyika shorthorn zebu”, Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 38(2), pp. 11–20. doi: 10.4314/tvj.v38i2.2.

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 2 (2023)

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLES

License

All articles are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). You are free to use, reproduce, redistribute in any medium or format provided the original publication in this journal is cited. This License will be applicable for all articles including those published before May, 2025