Characterization of Nigerian Indigenous Cattle Breeds using Linear Body Measurements

Ogunwale, T. E.; Ayoade, F. O.

Ogunwale, T. E.
Ayoade, F. O.

Keywords: Indigenous Cattle, Breed Characterization, Genetic Diversity, Correlations, Regression analysis

Abstract

Breed characterization is a key step in designing appropriate management and conservation programmes of livestock in developing countries. The objective of this research was to assess the phenotypic characteristics of Nigerian indigenous cattle breeds (White Fulani, Ndama and Muturu) based on body measurements. A total of 200 heads of cattle comprising 80 White Fulani, 65 N’dama and 55 Muturu were used for the study. Morphometric measurements taken were ear length (EL), tail length (TL), trunk length (TRL), chest girth (CG), head circumference (HC), height at wither (HW) and leg length (LL). Data generated from the morphometric measurements taken were subjected to statistical analysis. Result indicated that linear body measurements were significantly (p<0.05) higher in female than male. White Fulani also had significantly higher means (p<0.05) for all the morphometric measurements than the other two breeds. The highest levels of correlations were observed among the linear parameters in N’dama cattle. In the White Fulani breed, correlations among the linear parameters were relatively low. In both N’dama and Muturu breeds, the chest girth had a high, positive and significant (p<0.05) correlation with other linear parameters. Leg Length gave the highest coefficient of determination (0.99) and gave better predictions which were significant across the three breeds (p<0.05). It was concluded that the White Fulani is a relatively large sized breed and that relationships that exist between body measurements can be used for selection and breeding programmes in Nigerian Indigenous Cattle Breeds.

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