Breeding and conservation programmes for Sahiwal cattle genetic resources in the tropics: a review

• Autores: E.D. Ilatsia, R. Roessler, A.K. Kahi, A. Valle Zárate
• Localización: Animal Genetic Resources Information = Bulletin de information sur les ressources génétiques animales = Boletín de información sobre recursos genéticos animales, ISSN 1014-2339, Nº. 49, 2011, págs. 65-74
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Studies on Sahiwal cattle genetic resources in the tropics have mainly concentrated on evaluating their performance levels, with only a few published reports describing the breed characteristics. The aim of this study was to critically examine the existing breeding and conservation programmes for Sahiwal cattle in the tropics, focusing on Pakistan, India and Kenya as the core regions of development.

    The study was based on review of both published and unpublished literature highlighting shortcomings and strengths in the existing strategies, and opportunities for improvement and conservation. The Sahiwal breed is utilized for dairy and beef production under smallholder dairy, pastoral extensive and ranching production systems, both as pure-breds or cross-breds. The necessary components to strengthen the breeding programmes such as performance recording, genetic evaluation and artificial insemination (AI) facilities exist to differing degrees. Breeding and conservation efforts benefit from the technical and financial support from government research institutions which also provide incentives to enhance participation in the programmes. However, breeding goals are rather informal and only defined in terms of high-production levels with functional traits largely ignored. There is need for participatory identification of breeding and production goals, and structured cooperation of the small herds, so as to accommodate the specific contributions of the breed in future breeding and conservation programmes.