Characterisation of zulu (Nguni) sheep for utilization, improvement and conservation

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All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAll Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.

CHARACTERISATION OF ZULU (NGUNI) SHEEP FOR

UTILIZATION, IMPROVEMENT AND

CONSERVATION

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Kunene NW, Bezuidenhout CC, Nesamvuni EA, Nsahlai IV

University of Zululand

North-West University, Potchefstroom

Limpopo Department of Agriculture

University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg

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INTRODUCTION

ZULU SHEEP

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INTRODUCTION

• Between the third and second centuries, migrators brought early Iron Age communities into the eastern parts of South Africa

• One group of the Iron Age people came down the east coast to Natal.

• Brought sheep and cattle which are suspected to be the ancestors of the Nguni breeds

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INTRODUCTION

• The Nguni sheep of Zululand are called Zulu sheep

• Swaziland: Swazi sheep

• Zulu sheep are found in the communal areas of KwaZulu-Natal

• Research flocks: Makhathini Research Station and at the University of Zululand

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INTRODUCTION

• For many decades, indigenous genetic resources have been perceived as unproductive and inherently inferior to high performance or improved breeds

• Consequently: subjected to cross-breeding or even replacement with exotic breeds

• Rapid decline in numbers of the indigenous breeds

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INTRODUCTION

Reports: Zulu sheep numbers are declining due to replacement and crossbreeding with exotic breeds

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All Africa Conference on Animal All Africa Conference on Animal AgricultureAgriculture Commercialization of Livestock Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and opportunities October 25-28, 2010.

INTRODUCTION

Not enough information available on characteristics of Zulu sheep

Need to document Zulu sheep genetic and phenotypic resources and to design and implement strategies for their sustainable conservation.

Traditional farmers in developing countries manage their livestock according to their indigenous knowledge.

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INTRODUCTION

Maintenance of the remaining livestock diversity in communal farming require:

• Support for research on indigenous knowledge and

• Capacity building at grassroots and at national level

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INTRODUCTION

The objectives of the present study were:• To obtain information on the utilization, socio-

economic and cultural values by the farmers using the Zulu sheep breed;

• To preliminary characterise and estimate phenotypic variation within the Zulu sheep breed using six morphological characteristics;

• To estimate the live weight prediction equations of the Zulu sheep breed using some body linear measurements and;

• To assess the genetic variation within this breed.

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INTRODUCTION

The aim:

• Preliminary characterisation for utilization, improvement and conservation.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. Interviewed 76 farmers in the rural north

of KwaZulu-Natal:

• Utilization

• Socio economic status on keeping livestock including Zulu sheep

• Management patterns including indigenous knowledge

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2. Three populations of Zulu sheep under extensive management

• Two populations from research stations (250 km apart)

1. UNIZULU 2. Makhathini Research Station

• One population from the community at Enqutshini-KwaMthethwa: 40km from UNIZULU

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MATERIALS AND METHODS Measurements of heart girth (HG) wither

height (WH), live weight (LW) , Scrotum circumference (SC) for 2½ years

Some parameters of reproductive performance: birth weight, parity and litter size

Ear length (El) and ColourThe age of sheep was estimated using

dentition.

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3. Random amplified polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis was carried out using DNA of 52 Zulu sheep from the three populations.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS 1. Intra and inter- population

phenotypic and genetic diversity was expressed as dendograms using complete linkage of Minitab (1998)

2. The regression and Pearson coefficients procedures of Minitab Inc. (1998) were used for the analysis

3. ANOVA: GLM of Minitab (1998)

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

• 20% total income per annum: generated from livestock

• 3.5 % of the total income from livestock was obtained from sheep sales

Use of sheep:i) Source of foodii) Sometimes given to relatives as

presentsiii) Payments of penalties iv) Sales when there is need

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• 30 % of farmers keep sheep• Sheep are 3% of total livestock• All sheep owners reported to

keep Zulu sheep

Different survey in four districts of KZN: 4031 Zulu goats, 2424 cattle and 433 Zulu sheep

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Adaptability traits reported:i) Resistance to diseasesii) Good meat quality iii) Ability to flourish in the hot and

humid climate of KZN

No dipping in these areasDewormed only if there is sign of

internal parasite i.e. mucus

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Supplements:

Groundnuts and some leaves of certain species like Sarcostemma viminale, Crinum macowanii which increase milk production

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Main constraint mentioned:• Lack of knowledge on animal

husbandry

Solution:

• Government could intervene with more extension officers

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PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS

Dominant colours:• Brown and a white colour

combination

Brown or dark brown are born as black lambs and gradually change to brown or dark brown as the lambs grow

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1. 32 kg for females and 38 kg for males2. LW and LBM of Zulu sheep were

significantly affected by change of season

3. Similar for summer and autumn and for winter and spring

4. Differences of 2.58 kg, 3.90 cm and 1.52 cm for LW, HG and WH, respectively were realized

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Another study under extensive environment:

• Zulu sheep did not lose weight

between wet (29.1 ± 1.21kg) and dry seasons (27.9 ± 0.79 kg)

• Increase forage time and bite size in the dry season

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Effect of areaUNIZULU KwaMthethwa Makhathini

Live weight 22.76a ± 0.44N=843

28.54b ± 0.50N=874

34.28c ± 0.44N=652

Heart girth 68.67a ± 0.50 N=843

72.58b ± 0.57N=874

75.48c ± 0.51N=652

Wither height 58.04a ± 0.34N=843

59.84b ± 0.42N=874

64.58c ± 0.42N=652

Scrotum circumference 22.11a ± 0.54N=156

26.32b ± 0.59N=186

27.35b ± 0.58N=181

Ear length size% Ear buds (% Small (3> <6 cm) % Medium (6> <9cm) % Large(9> up to14 cm)

N=8611.6315.1230.2343.02

N=892.25

10.1123.6064.05

N=2537.12

13.8327.6751.38

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• No control of a breeding season• Lambing throughout the year • 36% in autumn; 33% in winter; 27% in

summer, 11% in spring • Birth weight: 2.5 ± .42 kg male 2.1 ± .53

kg female • Average litter size = 1.09• Highest litter size = 1.45 at fourth parity

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• In community, mortality high = 30%

• 55% lambs died in winter• Weaning weight = 12.72 ±

1.52 kg for males and 11.29 ± 1.35 kg for females

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• Best predictor of the live weight at different sex and age groups was computed from combination of both wither height and heart girth

• Range: R2 = 0.54 - 0.81• SC best predictor of LW for

rams aged below 22 months• Range: R2 = 0.61- 0.78

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Phenotypic diversity:Considering: LW, WH, HG, EL,

SC • 45.37% at Makhathini• 41.25 % at UNIZULU • 32.53% at KwaMthethwa• Between three populations =

46.20%

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Genetic Diversity using RAPDs• 11% at Makhathini• 9% at KwaMthethwa• 5 % at UNIZULU• Between populations = 22%

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CONCLUSION

• Farmers appreciate the value of the Nguni sheep

• Not aware of how the breed can be utilized to bring sustained income

• Interested to learn

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CONCLUSION

• Zulu sheep: not a large breedbut have good characteristics which

make them suitable for rural farming

• There is good indication of genetic diversity between populations

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RECOMMENDATION

• Improvement and conservation program

• To include training that builds on indigenous knowledge concepts as well as appropriate relevant modern technologies

• Animals may improve in LW if a supplementary program is applied

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RECOMMENDATION

• Open nucleus: three tier system of flocks with three phases:

• nucleus, sub-nucleus and village flocks is recommended.

• A nucleus flock would have to be established within the governmental ranches

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RECOMMENDATION

• Genetic research using appropriate genetic markers especially mtDNA and microsatellites between more populations in KZN

• Possibly SNPs• Phenotypic characterisation

for populations across KZN

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Technology

Characterisation of zulu (Nguni) sheep for utilization, improvement and conservation