Characterization of Gofa Cattle Population, Production System, Production and Reproduction Performance in Southern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia there are about 32 recognized indigenous cattle breeds. New breeds are incorporating in to database in recent years. Five cattle breeds currently recorded for SNNPR are Gofa, Gurage, Hammer, Mursi and Sheko. Some uses for cattle breeds are: Gurage for draft power and milk production even in the tsetse infested area and Horro for milk and meat production and for draft power purposes [1]. Sheko for meat and work even endangered by interbred with Zebu cattle and Abstract

Abigar for milk and meat and different types of work.
However, there is little attention given in our country for welldeveloped decision making and policy intervention on exploratory and especially for advanced cattle characterization approach so that there is no any well documented data for phenotypic and genetic characterization for cattle breeds. Domesticated livestock is as source of food. Its increasing demand requires the conservation of diversity among indigenous livestock genetic reserves that are capable to readily respond various environments for next human generations and handle unpredictable future.
Maintaining genetic diversity is an insurance against future adverse conditions [2]. Recently, loss of genetic diversity within indigenous livestock breeds has been a major concern. It is estimated that 35% of mammalian breeds are at risk of extinction, and that approximately two breeds of livestock lost each week [3]. Management and conservation of animal genetic resources require assessment of genetic diversity. Because it is difficult to design appropriate breeding programs for breeds that have not been adequately characterized either phenotypic/or genetically. Exploratory or primary characterization approach is prior important confirmatory or advanced characterization approach in breed identification and classification in ways that farming communities can relate to. The most significant threat to domestic animal diversifying in the developing world is the continual importation of high performing animals from developed countries. Importation leads to crossbreeding or even replacement of local breeds. Conservation of indigenous animal resources has been proposed as a method for slowing down the loss in diversity in livestock breeds through extinction. Apart from preventing extinction, conservation of indigenous breeds also important for the future health of the animal industry globally as they could be a resource for novel genes that can permit sustained genetic improvement as well as enable adaptation to changing breeding objectives and environment.
Morphological descriptions have also been used to evaluate breeding goals, to assess type and function and to estimate the animals' value as potential breeding stock [1]. In order to ensure proper conservation and utilization of indigenous breeds, it is necessary to evaluate phenotypic and genetic variation that exists within and among breeds. A large proportion of indigenous livestock populations in the developing world have yet to be characterized or evaluated at phenotypic and genetic levels [4]. Although Gofa cattle population plays a major role in the sustainability of livelihoods for their owners, there is no any published information concerning their phenotypic character, production system, and reproduction and production performance. The lack of information on the physical and molecular characteristics hinders the development programs for improving the breeds. This study is aimed phenotypic identities and characteristics of Gofa cattle breed under prevalent production and management system in order to enable cattle breeders and policy makers to make appropriate decision for future utilization of the breed.

General Objective
To undertake phenotypic characterization of Gofa cattle population.

Specific objectives
• To find out, production system/environment, utilization, physical and adaptive features and production characteristics of Gofa cattle • To undertake physical linear and morphological characterization through important measurements • To identify preferable traits of Gofa cattle population based on farmers breeding objectives.
• To evaluate their production and reproduction performances on-farm level.

Description of study area
The study was conducted in Gamogofa zone Demeba Gofa and Zala Districts (Docha, Sezega, Zima and Mila kebles). Zala districts is a part of Gamo Gofa zone and located in the southern nation nationality and people regional state of Ethiopia. Zala is bordered by on the south and south west by Uba Debretsehay and Kemba districts, on the north and north east by Demeba Gofa and Kucha Districts, on the east by Deremalo Districts and on the west by Uba Debretsehay districts. The districts are located 810 km from Addis Ababa, 284 km from regional city Hawasa and 240 km from zone. Population numbers of the districts were estimated to be 92,666 and Agro ecologically Zala is divided in to low land (Kolla) 90% and midland (Weyena Dega) 10%. The geographical location lies within the co-ordinates of 06° 04'-14° 00' north altitude and 36° 27'-37° 32' north latitude and -36° 58'-14° 20' east altitude and 36° 37'-13° 30' east longitude. The altitude of Zala Districts longitude ranges from 6.46 to 7.26 masl and the latitude range is 36.32-36.87 masl maximum and minimum rainfall of the district is 900 and 1700 mm, respectively. The temperature variation of Zala districts were between 18-32 degree centigrade. The total area coverage of the district is estimated to be 82000ha (source Zala Woreda 5 year development and transformation plain, GTP-1 achievement and transformation plain and 2 nd 5 year development plain unpublished data). Demba Gofa Districts is a part of Gamo Gofa Zone and the districts is bordered by on the south and south west by UbaDebretsehay and Oyda districts, southeast by Zala districts on the north by Dawro Zone and northwest Melokoza districts, on the east by Kucha districts and on the west by Geze Gofa districts. The district is located 526 km from Addis Ababa from regional city Hawasa and 240 km from zone. Population number of the districts was estimated to be 125,889 and Agro ecologically Demba Gofa is divided in to low land (Kolla) 75%, and midland (Weyena Dega) 15% and highland (Dega) 10%. Maximum and minimum rainfall of the district is 900 and 1100 mm, respectively. The temperature variation of Zala districts were between 22 and 38 degree centigrade. The total area coverage of the district is estimated to be 979000 ha (Woreda unpublished data). Land scope type of Zala district were flat land, undulated and mountain, 45%, 30% and 25%, respectively .In the districts the live hood of small holder house hold depends to a great extent on agricultural production (99%) meanly on livestock and crop production and 1% on trading.

Data collection technique
PRA discussion was carried out to identify PA's and exact locations of the cattle population in the area. Four PA's was selected purposively depending on the recommendations of elderly people, zonal and woreda experts considering the exact geographic locations for their cattle population in terms of quality and quantity. Required secondary data has been assessed. From the study districts Production system and number of existing cattle per the study area from each PA were collected.
In addition during PRA, focus group discussion with woreda and Keble experts, farmers, local leaders and office heads together with researchers special characteristics of cattle population, agroecology and production system of the study area were considered.
For these study a total of 420 (320 female and 100 male) cattle were used as representative of Gofa cattle population. Only animals with an eruption of the fourth pair of teeth, indicating maturity were included. Age were estimated by examining each animal's teeth as suggested by Pace and Wakeman. Attempt were done to identify regarding origin and development of the animal, local name and back ground of each cattle, breeds known to be most closely related to this population, origin, source, original geographic distribution area and boundaries. Traits such as lactation length, daily average milk off-take over three trimesters, calving interval, total number of calves born, weaning age of calves, age of cow when 1st calf was collected.

Sampling and data collection
The study had an initial rapid survey to document what was known by professionals as well as communities about indigenous cattle genetic diversity in the study area. This rapid field survey was undertaken to know the distribution of indigenous cattle types as they have been already known in the study area and to establish sampling framework from which sampling units were taken. Before starting actual survey discussions were held with zonal and district agricultural experts and development agents about the distribution of known cattle breeds. They also participated in the identification of sampling units and data collection activities. The population sizes of identified breeds were estimated based on information acquired from district agricultural offices and other relevant bodies. Sampling units were selected considering the availability of locally known distinct cattle types, agroecology, cattle population size, and accessibility. The actual survey included a Single visit to a sampling Keble during which qualitative and quantitative measurements were made on mature animals (Table 1). Each sampling unit consisted of clusters of sampling sites within which herds of cattle occurred. Within each sampling unit, measurements were made on individual animals from randomly selected herds until the target number of Sample animals were reached.
Linear measurements for all variables were taken by using plastic tape. Age of animals was estimated from dentition to support the age information given by farmers. The morphological Variables recorded in this study were adapted from the standard cattle breed descriptor list. Every animal to be measured was identified by sex, dentition and the Site where it occurred. The measurements were made during the day when the animals were grazing. The structured questionnaires were employed to collect information on functions, husbandry practices (feeding, health, breeding, etc.), adaptive traits, herd structures, and productive and reproductive attributes of indigenous cattle through formal interview. Farmers were purposively selected and interviewed from all sample. Adaptation characteristics assessed during the survey were water and feed economy, mothering ability herd instinct and disease resistance. The Production characteristics including birth, weaning and adult weight of male and female animal, milk production per lactation and lactation length were collected. Qualitative measurements like sex, estimated age by dentition, coat color and pattern, skin color, hoof color, muzzle color, eyelid color, horn presence and color separately for male and female, polled and horned separately for male or female, loose or fixed, horn shape and orientation, hair type and length, ear shape and orientation, hump size and shape, head profile, dewlap size, backline profile, rump profile, navel flap width for females, preputial/sheath width/size for males and tail length, teat and udder size were collected.
Quantitative variables including, body size for adult male and female, chest girth, body length, and height at withers, muzzle and hock circumference, horn length, ear length, were measured. Herd level data such as basic temperament, adaptability traits-tolerance to diseases, parasites, drought, and heat resistance were also scored together with livestock owners. Mating practices such as controlled or uncontrolled, seasonal or unseasonal, natural or AI, number of sire per herd were identified based on the questionnaire. Herd size and composition, typical image of adult breeding cow and bull, use of animals in order of importance and type of traction try to describe.

Data management
Data collected from the field through the questionnaire, linear body measurements and secondary sources, were analyzed using SPSS (version 20) software. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, univariate and correlation analysis were employed. Simple descriptive statistics were used to compile the observed categorical variables and chi-square test was used to test independence of the categorical variables separately for both male and female. The Model for analyses of data on the linear body measurements for male and female were:

Respondents and total household members
For this study a total of 167 households were involved from both districts. Of the total households Sampled, the majority (81.8%) were male headed while the remaining 18.12 house hold was female households. The overall average family sizes of households were 6.4 ± 0.2 ( Table 1). As shown in Table 2    married person who maintains and is running a household were above 92% in both districts, whereas female headed household is a widow or divorced woman who maintains and is managing a household were below 5 percent (Table 2).

Cattle herd composition
It was observed that the average number cattle were cattle 10 ± 0.44. Cattle age and sex of both study area sampling population is summarized in Table 3. The overall average goat populations 5.14 ± 0.44 were kept households. The totals mean number of sheep, chicken, donkey were 1.91, 5.27 and 1.04. In proportionate terms, the study site was significantly (P<0.01) different. Demba Gofa cattle herd proportion was lower in herds (7.07 heads) than in Zala herds (13.07) head). In overall mean numbers of local breeding females kept by the two study site were 3.14 ± 0.15 which is larger head per household) in the herd compared to other age groups. The mean replacement heifer per house hold was found to be 2.3 ± 0.1 head. The mean numbers of breeding male and male cattle not used for breeding were non-significant in the two study site.

Gofa cattle population trend in major livestock species
According to Gofa cattle elder owners and the estimated cattle population data in the study area, the population of Gofa cattle breed is in some extent increasing (60.6%) in number at decreasing in productivity trend over time. About 33.3% of respondents were reported Gofa cattle were in decreasing cattle owner reported the number of breeding females and replacement females(heifers) were appears to be not promising for breeding, time to time become small, unfit for breeding purposes relative to the pervious herd. Cattle elder owners also suggest currently born replacement calves are relatively encountered difficulties during breeding (Tables 4 and 5).
Cattle were kept for plowing, and as income source (Table 6). Small ruminants (Sheep) are kept for meat, income, and manure. About 71.8% of respondent report Population trend of sheep were gradually in decreasing way (71.8%) and remaining farmer estimated of 10.6% and 2.4% were reported sheep population were increasing and stable respectively. The report of CSA,2014/15 indicated that in Gamo Gofa livestock population were estimated to be 1,324,813 cattle, 466,627 sheep, 378,797 goat, 49,750 hoarse, 15,115 mule, 66,422, donkey and 1,014442 poultry. The result is differ with the report of (Mulugeta Ftiwi, 2015) where the population of Western Tigray cattle and the report of population size of Begait cattle breed they reported that cattle number of both side were reducing significantly and become near to extinction. According to the farmer report due to lack of knowledge inbreeding effect identified as the most important threats to Gofa cattle [5].

Sources of livelihood
In both districts, Livestock and crop production play important role in improving the livelihood of farmers. Cattle provide meat, milk, manure, and also serve as a source of saving, it was observed that 90.79% of respondents reported to practice both livestock and crop production and the remaining 4.9% of the respondents dependent on only cattle, and 3.06% were depend on crop production, as a source of livelihood.

Origin and development of Gofa cattle
Findings from focus group discussants revealed that, even if local cattle are found widely distributed throughout the study area, they are

Ranking of the purpose of keeping cattle at Gamo Gofa Zone
The result of this survey revealed that Gofa cattle play multifunctional roles in the study area. It was reported that farmers keep these animals for meat, milk, Hide, ceremony, manure and saving purpose. Based on the ranking purposes for keeping cattle Gofa Cattle were multi-Purpose. Demeba Gofa cattle owner keep cattle primarily for Milk production (0.28) and Zala (0.25). The result line with study conducted by for Mursi cattle is, but different with the report of etal,Mulugeta,2015 study conducted at Tigry region. The second most important purpose for keeping these cattle was identified by the Demba Gofa were saving .for saving purpose Demba Gofa community keep cattle (0.21) and (0.25) for Zala district.in both study area keeping cattle as blood/blood as source of food is not an important and is not ranked. The result is significantly different from the finding of Endashaw for Bodi community blood ranked first as a source of food [6].

Sources of feed
Based on the report of focus group discussion and individual farmer interviews Demba Gofa and Zala Districts the major type of grazing land for cattle were found to be own grazing land and communal grazing land. Communal grazing land especially open grassland grazing area and tree covered grassland type were most important feed resource in Demba Gofa Districts(96%) and 91% respectively. The interview indicate that rented source of feed were insignificant in both area. In Zala Districts about 97% of farmer use their own grazing land as feed resource (Figure 1).
Likewise near to 35% of farmer use communal grazing land. The result is line with the report of that reported from Gozamen, Ankasha, and Bahir Dar Zuria cattle, their major feed sources for their cattle were communal grazing land [7].

Reproductive and productive performance
Reproductive performance of Gofa cattle were presented in Table  7. The mean age at first mating is 36 month year (between 3 and 4) year for male and 41 month for female Gofa cattle. Gofa cattle average age at first mating and age at first service were significantly shorter than other different cattle breed like Semien and Wegera female cattle, respectively but comparable with the report of Mulugeta [8] for Begayet cattle 35.08 and 37.06 month for female and male respectively (Tables 8-11). The mean average age for Gofa cattle bull castration is 47.52 months .in average above 77.58 percent of farmer reported that mean age for castration age was above four year (Table 12). Mean age at first calving (AFC) for Gofa cattle breeding female in the present study was 50.4 months longer than the report of Mulugeta Ftiw [8] 48.68 months for Begayet cattle and shorted than the 54.1 months for Sheko breed and 53.1 months for Raya-Sanga cattle.
In the study area the most common breeding system was herd mating and natural controlled-breeding using selected bulls. In Zala districts most of the respondents said that the cattle feeding system is free grazing on communal grazing land. Groups to 5-15 farmer cattle were herded by one responsible person among them. Managing the cattle was done one after the other among cattle owner. These practice forced heifers/cows to mate within herd uncontrolled mating because of large sizes cattle managed by one person and difficult to facilitate separation of male and female animals. In both study area above 80 percent of farmer use uncontrolled, non-seasonal, natural mating practice. Hand mating practices were below 25 percent. Concerning the heat sign of Gofa cattle, above 90 percent of the animals were found to be very clear heat sign (Table 13).
Natural pasture is the most common source of feed for cattle in the two locations. Crop by product is the second most important feed resource. Beside to natural pasture and crop residue hay used as cattle Index: Sum of (4 times rank 1+3 times rank 2+2 times rank 3+1times rank 4) given for an individual reason divided by the sum of (4 times rank 1+3 times rank 2+2 times rank 3+1times rank 4) for overall reasons.   (Table 11). These hay feeding system is common especially in Zala worda due to vast Maze park hay availability.

Milk production performance of Gofa cattle
In the two districts the average lactation length and daily milk yield, of cattle were 9.27 month and 2.12 liter per day respectively (Table 14). Majority of interviewees was reported cow milking were toughly started after two month. Until two month lactating cow were left for calf for the purpose of decreasing calf mortality and to obtain strong calf. Between the two location no significance difference were observed but the daily milk yield for GamoGofa is higher than the report of for Mursi cattle, but lower than the report of Mulugeta [7], 2015 for Begait cattle Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. According to Mulugeta result lactation length of Gofa cattle is longer than Begait cattle. Similarly The daily milk yield for Gofa cattle is higher than the report from extensive Livestock breed survey done in Oromia Regional State with average daily milk yield of 1.4 liters and report on-farm daily milk yield of 1. 8      twice a day (93.86%) in the morning and evening after grazing. The daily milk yield reported here is the amount not including suckled by the calf (Tables 15 and 16).
Responsibility of family members in cattle husbandry practices categorized by age and gender are indicated in Table 17. Different husbandry practices are accomplished by different members of the family. In the study area herding of cattle is mainly accomplished by husband/house hold head followed by children. But, all family members take part in herding of cattle by different proportion in different time.
Milking of cows and taking care of sick animal is mainly the job of wife in many cases for Horrow and Guderu cattle [9]. The report also indicated as cow milking was the duty of female family members. Selling and purchasing of animal is mainly done by husband. But, before selling or purchasing animal, discussion with wife and come up with agreement was done between the family members.

Qualitative body description
Majority of Gofa cattle populations have plain coat color (63.89%), patchy (17.9%) and spotted were 18.92% with different cattle coat color combination were reported in both worda. both female and male have predominantly plain coat color (70.2 and 76.9 percent respectively. The dominant plain coat colors of Gofa cattle were (36.18) percent red, 36.03 percent white dominant and 6.89 percent black dominant red, while the rest were (6.39) percent, 3.15 percent red and white, 2.68 red and white and 4.68 were fawn. Different color types such as grey, brown and fawn. 48.75 percent of male cattle were white dominated with other color while in female cattle red coat color is more dominant,(56.9 percent) in the study area white dominated cattle were more preferable for ability to resist biting fly. In Zala about 48.75 male cattle were white dominated coat color. Farmer reported that more concern was done during breeding animal selection. In the study area majority of cattle were non pigmented body skin color, Muzzle color, eyelid color, hoof color, were (85.93 percent, 61.45 percent, 75.54 percent and 86.11 percent respectively, while the remaining 14.07 percent, 38.55 percent, 24.46 percent, and13.89 percent were pigmented body skin color, Muzzle color, eyelid color, hoof color, respectively. Almost all (99.23) Gofa cattle were horned and 53.01 percent were brown colored while the remaining 45.33 and .67 per cent were black and white respectively in the study area Horn orientation cattle indicated that about 69.5% were directed to upward while the remaining 21.34 percent, 8.33 percent, and 0.83 percent were forward, tips pointing laterally, and downward respectively. Horn shape of Gofa cattle were straight (13.62 percent, curved 44.48 percent, lyre shape 2.42 percent loose shape 1.62 percent, stumps 37.86 percent and no polled is observed,. hair type of cattle were shine (41.85), glossy (35.42), dull curl (1.130), and curly (21.61). Gofa cattle were characterized by its thoracic hump, which is distinctive characteristic feature of zebu cattle. 61.72 percent of the cattle in the population possess an erect hump, while 29.62 percent have dropping back ward and dropping side way 6.85 percent. Hump position of Gofa cattle were thoracic (33.11) cervico-thoracic (66.89) (Tables 18-22) (Figures 2 and 3).
Cattle body measurements a) District effect: District effect was not significant at (p ≥ 0.05) in most of cattle body measurements. Except height at withers and heart girth which is higher in Zala districts. Such difference might be due to better management and probably environmental difference between the two districts ( Figure 4). b) Cattle sex effect: Sex of the animal had significant effect (p ≤ 0.001) on height at wither, animal muzzle circumference and hock circumferences which is higher in male cattle. Other parameters like least body length, horn length, ear length, were insignificant ( Figure 5).  Housed day and night 0 0 0 0 0 0

Body length
The distance between point of shoulder and the pin bone

Cattle production constraints
Ranking of cattle production constraints in the study area is presented in Table 22. Among the constraints, health problem feed shortage and grazing land shortage were considered as the most important problems ranked first, second and third with different index values respectively.as indicated in the table disease and parasite prevalence were among the listed main constraint that hindered cattle production in both study area. This high disease and parasitic problem in the area might arise from insignificant accessibility of vaccination and medication. In addition for Zala districts livestock share Maze national park. This high disease and parasitic problem in the area might arise from transmissible disease the presence of different wild animals in the area that share park ecosystem with the livestock [9].
Rank indices of major cattle production constraints in Demba Gofa and Zala districts in Gamo Gofa Zone southern Ethiopia.
Ranking of major cattle disease in the study area is presented in Table 23. Among the disease, Trypanosomiasis ,anthrax and Foot and mouth disease were considered as the most economically important disease ranked first, Second and third with different index values, respectively [10][11][12] (Tables 24-26).

Conclusion and Recommendation
From this study it can be concluded that Gofa cattle are kept in a mixed crop-livestock production system and they play multifunctional roles in this production system. Even though the breed survives and produces through tolerating the existing hot environment and trypanosomiasis challenge, cattle production in the area is constrained by prevalent disease, seasonal feed shortage and inbreeding effect. Anthrax, FMD and Lung worm also most important economically important disease. Presence of park neighboring to cattle grazing area, absence of frequent vaccination and treatment of cattle in such hot environment makes the area potential to harboring epidemic diseases and parasites that cause loss of huge cattle number. Time to time production performance of Gofa cattle is decline due to inbreeding effect. Therefore it is suggested as follows: • Improve veterinary service • Further study on the origin of the cattle • Molecular characterization should be done including the related breeds • Planned selection Breeding program should be done( genetic improvement via Community based) • Create awareness to control inbreeding and most economically important disease • Develop live weight estimation of predictive formula