Performance Evaluation of Different Blood Levels of Crossbred Dorper Sheep and Farmers’ Perception Toward Crossbred Dorper Sheep in Central South Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Sheep production is affected by genetic and non-genetic factors. A knowledge of these factors is essential for efficient management and for the accurate estimation of breeding values. The objective of this study was to establish the non-genetic factors which affect birth weight and weaning weight in Dorper, Mutton Merino and indigenous Sabi sheep breeds. A total of 2,625 birth and weaning weight records from Grasslands Research Station collected from 1991 through 1993, were used. The records were collected from indigenous Sabi (939), Dorper (807) and Mutton Merino (898) sheep. A mixed classification model containing the fixed effects of year, birth status and sex was used for identification of non-genetic factors. Sire within breed was included as a random effect. Two factor interactions and three factor interactions were important in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep. The mean birth weights were 4.37±0.04 kg, 4.62±0.04 kg and 3.29±0.04 kg for Mutton Merino, Dorper and Sabi sheep, respectively. Sire had significant effects (p<0.05) on birth weight in Mutton Merino and indigenous Sabi sheep. Year of lambing had significant effects (p<0.05) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep. The effect of birth status was non significant in Dorper and Mutton Merino sheep while effect of birth status was significant on birth weight in indigenous Sabi sheep. In Indigenous Sabi sheep lambs born as singles (3.30±0.05 kg) were 0.23 kg heavier than twins (3.07±0.05 kg), in Mutton Merino lambs born as singles (3.99±0.08 kg) were 0.07 kg heavier than twins (3.92±0.08 kg) and in Dorper lambs born as singles (4.41±0.04 kg) were 0.02 kg heavier than twins (4.39±0.04 kg). On average males were heavier than females (p<0.05) weighing (3.32±0.04 kg vs. 3.05±0.07 kg) in indigenous Sabi, 4.73±0.03 kg vs. 4.08±0.05 in Dorper and 4.26±0.07 kg vs. 3.66±0.09 kg in Mutton Merino sheep. Two way factor interactions of sire*year, year*sex and sex*birth status had significant effects (p<0.05) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep while the effect of year*birth status was non significant on birth weight in Indigenous Sabi sheep. The three way factor interaction of year*sex*birth status had a significant effect (p<0.01) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi and Mutton Merino. Tupping weight fitted as a covariate had significant effects (p<0.001) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep. The mean weaning weights were 17.94±0.31 kg, 18.19±0.28 kg and 14.39±0.28 kg for Mutton Merino, Dorper and Indigenous Sabi sheep, respectively. Effects of sire and sire*year were non significant on weaning weight in Dorper and Mutton Merino while year, sex and sex*year interaction had significant effects (p<0.001) on weaning weight. On average males were heavier than females (p<0.001) at weaning. The respective weaning weights were 18.05±0.46 kg, 18.68±0.19 kg, 14.14±0.15 kg for males and 16.64±0.60 kg, 16.41±0.31 kg, 12.64±0.32 kg for females in Mutton Merino, Dorper and Indigenous Sabi sheep. Lambs born as singles were significantly heavier at weaning than twins, 0.05 kg, 0.06 kg and 0.78 kg for Mutton Merino, Dorper and Indigenous Sabi sheep, respectively. Effect of tupping weight was highly significant on weaning weight. The three way factor interaction year*sex*birth status had a significant effect (p<0.01) on weaning weight. Correction for environmental effects is necessary to increase accuracy of direct selection for birth weight and weaning weight. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 2 : 151-157)

Objectives of this study were to evaluate birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), and average daily weight gain (ADG) of female calves carrying the SLICK1 allele, i.e., the slick gene. Holstein cows in four dairy farms located in central California were inseminated with semen from two heterozygous slick Holstein sires to produce slick and non-slick calves. Calves were born during the cool season (November 2019-March 2020). BW was recorded for 125 calves in four farms within 24 h of birth; WW was recorded for 92 calves in three farms within one week of weaning. Weaning age was recorded at day of weighing. ADG was calculated as the weight difference between birth and weaning divided by days of age at weaning. Only female calves were used in the analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS version 9.4. The model for BW included the effects of genotype, farm, sire, and the interaction between genotype and farm. The model for WW and ADG included the effects of BW, genotype, farm, weaning age, sire, and interaction between genotype and farm. Significant effects were considered as those with P &amp;lt; 0.05. There was no difference in BW or WW between genotypes (BW: slick=40.1 ± 0.7 vs non-slick=39.7 ± 0.6 kg; P = 0.7 and WW: slick=82.5 ± 2.8 vs non-slick=80.9 ± 2.8 kg; P = 0.6). The mean age at weaning was 64.8 ± 0.4 and was similar for both genotype groups (P = 0.8). As a result, ADG was similar between genotypes (P = 0.7). There was a main effect of farm on BW, WW and ADG. Results indicate that slick heifer calves born in the cool season perform similarly to non-slick calves in regards to birth weight, average daily weight gain, and weaning weight. Funding provided by the Holstein Association USA Research Program and L.E. “Red” Larson Endowment.

Estimation of genetic parameters for pre-weaning growth traits in Central Anatolian Merino sheep

Crossbreeding aims to increase the productivity of local or indigenous animals by introducing exotic breeds. This study aims to assess the effects of crossbreeding using 50% Boer bucks crossed with Ethiopian indigenous Woyto-Guji goats and to evaluate farmers' perceptions towards crossbred kids. Data were collected from five purposively selected districts in southern Ethiopia. Personal interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and field observations were employed to gather information on the goat production systems and farmers' perceptions. The mean ± SD of goat flock size in the study area were 7.31 ± 5.89 heads per household (HH) with larger flock sizes observed in the Alaba zone (10.32 ± 6.56). Goats in the studied areas were primarily kept for income generation. The average age at first kidding was 11.3 ± 1.3 months. Relatively better management practices were observed for crossbred goats in the Alaba, Loko Abaya, and Gurage zones. Respondent farmers highly appreciated Boer crossbred goats due to their superior perception of attractive coat color (4.39 times greater, P < 0.001), docile behavior (3.59 times greater, P < 0.001), fast growth rate (1.64 times greater, P < 0.05), and market preference (5.81 times greater, P < 0.001). However, susceptibility to disease and drought was considered as drawbacks of crossbred kids in the studied areas. It was also reported that crossbreed goats fetched better prices than indigenous goats of a similar age group and under the same management system. All visited farmers expressed a strong interest in crossbreeding. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Boer crossbred goats perform well in southern Ethiopia. Therefore, the continued production of crossbred kids can be disseminated to these areas. Additionally, it is suggested to consider the interests of goat producers in the remaining areas. Integrated improved management systems need to be implemented to enhance the survival of crossbred kids. Sustainable training programs should be organized for goat keepers, focusing on aspects such as crossbreeding, minimizing inbreeding, buck rotation, and improved feeding and management practices.

Bu çalışmada, farklı yaşlarda sütten kesilen Romanov × Morkaraman (F1 Rom), Romanov × F1 Romanov (G1 Rom) ve Charollais × F1 Romanov (Charom) melez kuzularının büyüme ve yaşama gücü özellikleri karşılaştırılmıştır. Doğumdan sonra üç genotipten kuzular 50 ve 75 günlük iki ayrı yaşta sütten kesilmiş ve sütten kesim sonrası büyüme performansları 120 günlük yaşa kadar incelenmiştir. Doğum ağırlığına, üç ayrı genotip ve doğum şeklinin etkisi çok önemli, cinsiyetin etkisi önemsiz bulunmuştur. Sütten kesim ağırlığında ise sadece doğum şeklinin etkisi önemli bulunmuştur. Kuzu doğum ve sütten kesim ağırlıkları Charom, F1 Rom, G1 Rom kuzularında sırasıyla 3,38-15,28; 3,98-15,04; 3,21-15,55 kg tespit edilmiştir. Doğum şekli kuzu doğum ağırlıkları bakımından varyasyon göstermiş ve doğumda yavru sayısı arttıkça kuzu doğum ağırlıklarında (Tekiz: 4,19 kg; İkiz: 3,42 kg; Üçüz: 3,15 kg ve Dördüz: 2,88 kg) düşüş gözlenmiştir. Doğum şeklinin sütten kesim ağırlıklarına etkisi ise tekiz ve üçüzlerde benzer bulunmuştur. Tekiz doğan kuzular ikiz ve dördüz doğanlardan daha yüksek sütten kesim ağırlığına ulaşmışlardır. Sütten kesime kadar günlük canlı ağırlık arıtışı (G.C.A.A) tekiz doğan kuzularda 247,37 gr ile ikiz (190,67 gr), üçüz (201,44 gr) ve dördüz (178,57 gr) doğanlardan daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Sütten kesim yaşının sütten kesim ağırlıklarına etkisi önemsiz bulunmuştur. Sütten kesim sonrası ilk ay ağırlığına kuzu genotipi, doğum şekli ve cinsiyetin etkisi önemsiz iken, sütten kesim yaşının sütten kesim ve sütten kesim sonrası ilk aya kadar G.C.A.A‘na etkisi önemli bulunmuştur. Geç sütten kesilen kuzular, daha yüksek sonraki ilk ay canlı ağırlık (18,62-17,89 kg) ve G.C.A.A (179,45-81,32 g ) sahip olmuşlardır. Kuzuların 120. gün canlı ağırlıkları benzer bulunmuştur ve incelenen faktörlerden hiç birisinin etkisine rastlanmamıştır.

This study evaluated growth and reproductive traits in two sheep breeds in Türkiye, Akkaraman (AKK) and Central Anatolian Merino (CAM), with a focus on the impact of non-genetic factors. Data were analysed from 21,414 AKK and 20,099 CAM lambs for birth weight (BW) and 27,528 AKK and 24,639 CAM lambs for weaning weight (WW), average daily weight gain (ADWG) and Kleiber ratio (KR) using a linear mixed model. AKK lambs showed a significantly higher mean BW (4.19±0.01kg) than CAM lambs (4.02±0.01kg) (p<0.001), whereas CAM lambs had significantly higher WW, ADWG and KR (p<0.001 for each trait). Fixed effects of sex, birth type, dam age, birth year, herd size and season significantly influenced all growth traits (p<0.05). Male lambs demonstrated higher BW, WW, ADWG and KR than females (p<0.001), and single-born lambs had significantly higher BW and WW than twins (p<0.001). Dam age also influenced all growth traits, with lambs from younger dams tending to be heavier (p<0.001). In terms of survival, AKK lambs exhibited a significantly higher survival rate (93.85%) than CAM lambs (89.50%) (p<0.001). Conception rates were similar for both breeds (92.9% for AKK and 92.3% for CAM), whereas CAM lambs showed higher fecundity and litter size. These findings underscore the breed differences in growth and reproductive traits and highlight the importance of considering non-genetic factors to inform breed-specific management practices aimed at optimizing productivity.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de bezerros de corte dos grupos genéticos Charolês (CH) e ½Nelore (NE) ½CH (filhos de vacas CH), NE e ½CH ½NE (filhos de vacas NE) mantidos juntamente com as vacas até o desmame, em pastagem nativa (PN) ou pastagem cultivada (PC) de inverno (aveia + azevém) e de verão (capim-papuã). Foram utilizados sessenta bezerros entre puros e mestiços, pesados ao nascimento, 14, 42, 70, 98, 126, 154, 182 dias e ao desmame. A produção de leite das vacas foi avaliada na mesma data das pesagens, com exceção do nascimento. Bezerros mantidos em PC apresentaram maior ganho de peso médio diário (GMD) (733 contra 440 g) e maior peso ao desmame (191,8 contra 128,6 kg) que os mantidos em PN. Foi verificado efeito quadrático do período pós-parto no GMD (y=489,89 + 3,96DIA - 0,0198DIA²), sendo que o ponto máximo do GMD (571 g) foi aos 85 dias de idade para os mantidos em PN e aos 107 dias (848 g) para os mantidos em PC. A produção média diária de leite das vacas explicou 45% do peso ao desmame e 38% do GMD dos bezerros. As correlações entre a produção de leite e o GMD e o peso dos bezerros foi significativa mesmo nos estágios mais avançados de lactação. A correlação entre a produção média diária de leite de todo período de aleitamento e o GMD foi maior nos animais mantidos em PC (0,54) do que em PN (0,44) e nos animais F1 (0,73) em relação aos puros (0,47). A menor correlação entre produção de leite e GMD foi verificada nos bezerros NE puros (0,31), nos demais foi de 0,60; 0,71; e 0,84, para CH, ½CH ½NE e ½NE ½CH. Os teores de gordura, lactose, extrato seco desengordurado e extrato seco total, não apresentaram correlação significativa com o GMD. No entanto, quando foi considerada a produção total desses constituintes do leite, as correlações com o GMD foram significativas. Bezerros F1 apresentaram maiores pesos ao nascimento e ao desmame que os puros. A heterose para o peso ao nascimento, desmame e GMD foi, respectivamente, de 3,4; 11,8; e 10,2%.

A study was conducted to evaluate growth performances of Washera sheep under smallholder production systems in the Yilmanadensa and Quarit districts of the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Data were collected and analysed on the growth of 690 lambs owned by 110 households from October 2004 to September 2007. Weight (kilograms) of Washera lambs at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age was 2.69 +/- 0.02, 7.10 +/- 0.16, 12.42 +/- 0.11, 16.12 +/- 0.91, 20.05 +/- 0.55 and 23.47 +/- 0.68, respectively. Birth weight was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by district, year of birth, parity of the dam, birth type and sex of lamb and by the interaction effect of parity by birth type and parity by sex of lamb. Weaning weight was also affected by year of birth, type of birth and sex of lamb. Yearling weight was affected by only year of birth and sex of birth. The average daily weight gain (ADG; grams) from birth to 30 days, birth to 90 days, 90 to 180 days and birth to 1 year of age was 143.37 +/- 13.46, 107.09 +/- 2.67, 39.78 +/- 9.73 and 60.13 +/- 1.89, respectively. Growth rates from birth to 30 and 90 days of age were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by birth year, birth type and sex. ADG from birth to 1 year of age was affected by lamb sex and district. The indigenous Washera sheep had faster growth rate than those sheep breeds of Ethiopia extensively studied thus far. Integrated efforts combining improved nutrition, health and participatory community-based breeding would help the smallholder farmers to utilise and conserve this immense sheep genetic resource of Ethiopia.

ABSTRACTBackground and Aim:Sheep farming is a vital component of Indonesia’s agricultural economy, where the demand for meat continues to rise. Indigenous Garut sheep are well-adapted to local environments and are known for their high reproductive efficiency, but they have low growth rates. Conversely, Dorper sheep are renowned for their rapid growth and carcass quality, but they exhibit longer lambing intervals under tropical conditions. Crossbreeding offers a strategy to combine the strengths of both breeds. This study aimed to evaluate maternal reproductive performance and pre-weaning growth traits in purebred Dorper, Garut, and Dorper × Garut crossbred sheep under a commercial breeding system in Indonesia.Materials and Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted on 1,744 ewes (1,498 Garut, 209 F1 Dorper × Garut, and 93 Dorper) and 3,248 lambs (2,846 F1 Dorper × Garut, 253 B1 backcrosses, and 149 Dorper) from a commercial enterprise in West Java. Data included lambing interval, litter size, birth weight, weaning weight, pre-weaning mortality, average daily gain (ADG), reproductive index, and productivity index. Statistical analyses employed one-way analysis of variance with Duncan’s multiple range test for post hoc comparisons.Results:F1 Dorper × Garut crossbred ewes demonstrated significantly shorter lambing intervals (206.65 ± 2.75 days) than pure Dorper (265.66 ± 1.14 days), comparable to Garut ewes (209.10 ± 1.08 days). However, Garut ewes had superior litter size (1.77 ± 0.18) relative to both crossbred (1.33 ± 0.04) and Dorper ewes (1.30 ± 0.42). In growth performance, Dorper lambs excelled in birth weight (3.35 ± 0.07 kg), weaning weight (23.93 ± 0.57 kg), and ADG (203.88 ± 4.65 g/day). F1 Dorper × Garut lambs showed significantly higher weaning weight (19.48 ± 0.35 kg) and ADG (165.34 ± 2.95 g/day) compared with Garut lambs (15.36 ± 0.10 kg; 130.47 ± 0.83 g/day).Conclusion:F1 Dorper × Garut crossbreeding synergizes Garut’s reproductive efficiency with Dorper’s growth performance, yielding crossbreds well-suited for tropical meat production. While Garut maintains a prolificacy advantage, F1 crossbreds deliver improved pre-weaning growth, supporting their use in commercial fattening programs. Maintaining pure Garut flocks for breeding and employing F1 crossbreds for production may enhance productivity and sustainability in Indonesia. Future research should assess carcass traits, multigenerational crossbreeding, and economic feasibility.

Simple SummaryA buffalo breeding farm was selected to study the growth performance of Swamp and Murrah crossbred buffaloes. The farm was practicing extensive grazing system without supplementation since 2010 to 2011. In early 2012, the farm had implemented a new intervention to improve the growth performance via improving the feed and the feeding management. Farm records between 2010 to 2015 were analyzed for growth performance and partial budget analysis. So far, there is no comparative study done between Swamp and Murrah crossbred buffaloes in Malaysia. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to study the differences in the biological and economical performances between Swamp and crossbred buffaloes in Malaysia. With a new intervention, a significant improvement was reported of the number of calves born, average birth weight, and reduced percentage of calf mortality rate, calving interval, and weaning age. Crossbred buffalo showed dominance in biological performance in terms of higher pre- and post-weaning daily weight gain and taking a shorter period to achieve market and breeding weight compared to Swamp buffaloes. Thus, reared Murrah crossbred buffaloes with new intervention management would give a farmer a higher profit return. However, with reared Swamp, the farmer potentially conserves the local indigenous breed of Swamp buffalo.This study was conducted to compare the growth and economic performances between Swamp and Murrah crossbred buffaloes. The records of 108 Swamp and 276 Murrah crossbred buffaloes born between January 2010 and December 2015 were used in this study. The farm was practicing an extensive grazing system without supplementation from January 2010 to December 2011 (pre-intervention) and a new implementation of supplement in the feeding regime from January 2012 to December 2015 (post-intervention). The birth, weaning, and body weight at three monthly intervals, number of calves born, and mortality rate of calves at different years and during pre- and post-intervention were analyzed using a general linear model procedure. The interventions in 2012 had a positive effect on increasing the number of calves born for both breeds, average birth weight, economic performance, and reduce mortality calf rate. As a result, the birth weight of Murrah crossbred buffaloes was higher (36.63 ± 0.50 kg) than Swamp buffaloes (34.69 ± 0.40 kg) (p < 0.05). The average pre-weaning daily weight gain for Swamp and Murrah crossbred buffaloes was 0.73 and 0.98 kg/day (p < 0.05), while the average post-weaning daily weight gain was 0.39 and 0.44 kg/day, respectively (p < 0.05). The Swamp and Murrah crossbred buffaloes achieved the targeted market weight of 250 kg at 18 and 15 months old, respectively, while the targeted breeding weight of 385 kg was achieved at 30 and 26 months old, respectively. In this farm, on average a total of 64 calves were born yearly, with the ratio number of born calves per number of mated dams recorded higher in Murrah crossbred buffaloes as compared to Swamp buffalo (0.64 vs. 0.37) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the average number of calves born in the post-intervention period (January 2012–December 2015) was significantly higher than in the pre-intervention period (January 2010–December 2011), respectively (Swamp: 23 vs. 8 and Murrah crossbred: 53 vs. 31, respectively) (p < 0.05). Partial budget method was used to estimate the net gain or loss between the two breeds. The average annual revenue was 2304.14 MYR (566.13 USD) for Swamp buffaloes and 4531.50 MYR (1113.39 USD) for Murrah crossbred buffaloes. The average annual cost saving was 340.02 MYR (83.54 USD) for Swamp and 215.75 MYR (53.01 USD) for Murrah crossbred buffaloes. On the other hand, annual added cost was 84.95 MYR (20.87 USD) for Swamp and 96.76 MYR (23.77 USD) for Murrah crossbred buffaloes. Therefore, the annual net benefit was 2559.21 MYR (628.80 USD) for Swamp and 4650.49 MYR (1142.63 USD) for Murrah crossbred buffaloes. As a conclusion, this study had shown that the higher average daily weight gain contributes to better cost savings, as shown by the crossbred buffaloes.

This trial was carried out to determine the growth traits and survival rates of Akkaraman (‘White Karaman’ in Turkish, WK) lambs in breeder flocks in Konya Province. In this study, the effects of birth year, lamb’s sex, birth type, dam’s age, and farm on the birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) at day 75, live weight (LW) at day 120, and average daily weight gain (ADWG) of lambs were investigated. Survival rates of lambs up to weaning were determined based on years. Data were collected from 19,207 lambs born between the years of 2007 and 2010 in 2 different villages of Konya Province in Turkey. The overall BW, WW, LW at day 120, ADWG, and survival rate of lambs were found as 4.05 kg, 19.5 kg, 31.7 kg, 231 g, and 91.4%, respectively. All of the investigated factors had significant effects on the BW, WW, and LW at day 120 and ADWG of lambs (P < 0.01). Differences between the survival rates of lambs were significant (P < 0.01). These results showed that birth year, sex of lamb, birth type, dam’s age, and farm have important effects on the growth of WK lambs. It can also be said that the genetic capacity for rapid growth and ADWG of WK lambs is not low.

Influence of birth weight and weaning weight on performance and veal quality

This study aimed to estimate the genetic and non-genetic factors that affect the nine early growth traits of Dumeng sheep, as well as to estimate the variance components and genetic parameters associated with these traits. A dataset containing detailed information on 17,896 preweaning trait records of 4474 lambs was collected. In addition, 5015 postweaning trait records of 1003 lambs were documented. The effects of recipient dam age, sex, year, season, and herd on the early growth traits were assessed using the general linear model procedure of the statistical analysis system, revealing different levels of significance across different traits. To determine the most suitable model for estimating the genetic parameters, the likelihood ratio (LR) test was employed, fitting six animal models that either excluded or included maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects within the average information restricted maximum likelihood (AIREML) framework using WOMBAT software (Version: 23/11/23). The model incorporating direct additive genetic effects, maternal genetic effects, and maternal permanent environment effects as random effects (model 6) provided the best fit for birth weight (BW) estimation. In contrast, the model combining direct additive genetic effects and maternal permanent environment effects as random effects (model 2) demonstrated a superior fit for estimating the genetic parameters of weaning weight (WW), average daily gain weight from birth to weaning (ADG1), and Kleiber ratio from birth to weaning (KR1). With regard to the genetic parameters of body weight at 6 months of age (6MW), average daily gain weight from weaning to 6 months (ADG2), average daily gain weight from birth to 6 months (ADG3), Kleiber ratio from weaning to 6 months (KR2), and Kleiber ratio from birth to 6 months (KR3), model 1, which incorporates only direct additive genetic effects, was identified as the optimal choice. With the optimal model, the heritability estimates ranged from 0.010 ± 0.033 for 6MW to 0.1837 ± 0.096 for KR3. The bivariate analysis method was employed to estimate the correlation between various traits using the most suitable model. The absolute values of genetic correlation coefficients among the traits spanned a range from 0.1460 to 0.9998, highlighting both weak and strong relationships among the studied traits. Specifically, the estimated genetic correlations between WW and ADG1, ADG3, KR1, and KR3 were 0.9859, 0.9953, 0.9911, and 0.9951, respectively, while the corresponding phenotypic correlations were 0.9752, 0.7836, 0.8262, and 0.5767. These findings identified that WW could serve as an effective selection criterion for enhancing early growth traits.

A flock monitoring study was conducted in Wolaita zone, Damot gale and Damote sore districts and Siltie zone, Mirab Azernet district with the objectives of evaluating the reproductive and productive performance of Dorper sheep and to determine the current production systems. Data was collected from November 2013 to April according to Kaufmann case histories format and were subjected to general linear models (GLM) procedure of SAS. The fixed factors considered were breed, districts, season, birth type and lambing year. Mean birth weight, weaning weight, weaning age, market age, market weight, litter size, age at first lambing and sexual maturity for Dorper sheep were 2.25±1.72 kg, 17.30±0.98 kg, 3.16±0.55 months, 12.66±1.39 months, 30.66±3.26 kg, 1.48±0.71, 11.81±1.37 months and 5±0.74 months, respectively. Location, season, birth type, parity, sex and blood group had significantly (P<0.05) affected weaning weight. Season had influence on weaning age. Pre-weaning mortality rate of Dorper sheep was 2.93% and lower in Wolaita than Siltie zone. In Siltie, rather than Wolaita zone Dorper sheep was housing in the separate house. Housing Dorper sheep in separate house was good practice, so sharing the practice for the others through training, experience share and field trip should be needed. Further study is needed to characterize meat quality and carcass yield percentages from locally available feeds of Dorper sheep in the area. Key words: Adaptability, crosses, Dorper, husbandry, performance, Ethiopia.

The study was carried out to compare the growth performance of grade-2 Brahman crossbreds to other available cattle genotypes in Bangladesh. Growth traits were birth weight, weight at 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-month of age and average daily weight gain from birth to 12-month of age. The birth, weight at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month were 19.87±0.06, 52.01±0.49, 85.03±0.62, 127.12±0.81 and 171.19±1.20 kg, respectively. The average daily weight gain of calves was 426.00±4.99 g. Area and sex had significant effect (p&lt;0.01) on the birth weight, body weight at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month of age and average daily weight gain of Brahman calves. Growth performance results on indigenous, Red Chittagong, Pabna, and crosses of Holstein-Frisian, Jersey, Sahiwal and Sindhi cattle were also collected from published literatures, which were compared with 25% Brahman cross calves. Birth weight (19.87±0.87 kg) and yearling or 12-month weight (171.19±17.9 kg) was highest in Brahman cross calves, whereas birth weight (14.81±2.50 kg) was lowest in indigenous calves and yearling weight (92.28±1.73 kg) was in lowest in Sahiwal cross calves. Average daily weight gain was highest (426.00±4.99 g) in Brahman and lowest (146.78±91.96 g) in Indigenous calves. Thus, it may be concluded that growth performance of Brahman cross calves was better than other existing cattle genotypes of Bangladesh. However, further study with large number of samples at different management systems would help to draw a final conclusion. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 3(1): 85-94, 2021