Albanian j. agric. sci. 2014 (Special edition) Agricultural University of Tirana
RESEARCH ARTICLE
(Open Access)
Preliminary results of in situ conservation of buffalo’s nucleus herd in
Divjake area
FIQIRI TAHIRI*, GANI DOÇI, RREZARTA MARIKA
Livestock technology directorateagricultural technology transfer centre fushe kruje, albania
*Corresponding author e-mail: fiqiritahiri@yahoo.com
Abstract
An In situ conservation program, oriented to sustainable economic use for buffalo’s population, started at the begining of 2012 years. A buffalo’s herd of 113 heads composed of animals originated from two ex nucleus farms were included in the program. This species, based on the number of breeding animals is categorized at risk of extintion, The short term objectives of the program are: (i) stoping the reduction of population size and enlargement of real (census) and effective population size, (ii) maintenance of the genetic variability by a breeding and mating scheme to decrease inbreeding and genetic drift within buffalo’s nucleus herd and two other small herds (26 buffalo cows and 3 buffalo bulls), that are going to be invloved in 2015 (an “open” nucleus design); (iii) improving the management of the animals at farm level and (iv) estimation of productive and reproductive performance of nucleus herd; (v) access to local market. Long term objectives: (i) Optimizing genetic improvement program and production system; (ii) development of high-quality products for niche markets; (iii) promoting private incentives to support and provide the sustainability of in situ conservation program and economic use of this species. (iv) establishing buffalo breeders association. The estimation of the population size, structure and trend were based on the analysis of the data collected to nucleus farm. All animals remained in the active breeding nucleus herd, as the extent of genetic drift depends on the number of individuals available. All young females are kept for replacement stock. As pedigree data were not available, a mating and within family selection scheme is being applied for balancing the contribution of each individual, controlling inbreeding and maintaining a larger effective size of population. Each sire was mated to a fixed number of dams. F:M ratio ( r=10). Selection, according to principle, one male from each sire family and one female from each dam family (each sire is replaced by one of his sons and each dam by one of her daughters) in next generation have been planned. The yield of the complete lactations was estimated according to the method of Test Interval. Milk sampling was carried out according to ICAR guidelines. Milk samples were analyzed by Gerber Laktostar. Live weights of buffalo calves at birth, 3 months, 6 months were estimated. Results: the reduction of population size was stopped. Two new male lines were established and other one will be added in coming year. Five other lines will be added in 2015(nucleus + two other small herds). If compared to 2012, number of breeding animals in nucleus herd was increased by 11.3 % for 2013, and it will be increased by 30.5 % and 67.8 % for 2014 and 2015 years respectively. Effective size (Ne) of nucleus herd population from 18.3 was reached to 21.8 for 2013and it will be reached to 25.4 for 2014. In 2015 years, Ne will be reached to
43.5(nucleus + two other herds), while Δ F per generation will be equal to 0.8 %. Phenotypic indicators
achieved for 2013 year: Fertility 83 %; average milk yield (kg, milked) according to the lactations: I, 540 ± 73; II, 610 ± 74; III, 680±87, IV, 704 ± 93. Lactation length (days): I, 253± 14; II, 258± 15; III, 263±11, IV, 262±13. Body weight of buffalo calves (kg): at birth (F, 22± 2.84; M, 24 ± 2.76); at 3 months (F, 50.8±7.6; M, 55.6±8.9); at 6 months (F, 92.6 ±8.04; M, 102.6±11.3). Average daily gain (g) from birth to 6 months old: F, 392± 47; M, 434± 62. The content in fat, protein and lactose of whole milk analyzed: Fat %, 7.86±1.2; protein %, 4.6 ±0.62; lactose %, 5.2 ±0.67; Conclusion: (i) Buffalo population is characterized by a considerable variation of its own phenotypic traits. Optimal management by implementing in situ conservation and genetic improvement program that support the sustainable economic use is the main way for maintenance and sustainable development of autochthonous species and breeds that are threatened by the risk of dilution or extinction; (ii) while buffalo population is situated on touristic area and part of an ecosystem characterized by a high biodiversity, it could be seen as integral part, which positively affects on this ecosystem and also contributes to agro-tourism development offering high quality products to local market and larger.
Keywords: autochthonous species, maintenance, breeding, performance
Introduction
The Population of local ruminant livestock in Albania represents a highly diverse wealth which is under increasing threat of genetic dilution and
They were mainly used for draught and plowing power in agriculture in Lushnje, Fier and Lezha districts. During the ‘60 years, tremendous reduction of their number occurred as a result of drying swamps; economics and technological development (agriculture mechanization and intensification); loss of natural environment (due to crop farming etc.). During the years 1970 –’80 very few herds of buffalo were maintained in ex agriculture cooperatives of Fier (Bisham), Lushnje (Divjak`e) and Elbasan districts. After 1990, in general, local ruminant livestock management and for buffalo species, in particular, has been very difficult due to socio-political changes in our country. The reasons were: market liberalization which favored transition to advanced production systems; loss of labor power due to migration to urban areas; inadequate human capacity to handle conservation; lack of appropriate breeding policies; absence of effective breeding programs; indiscriminate use of exotic animals; lack of valuation of species; lack of a strong justification for the conservation of AnGR); acceptability of buffalo meat; buffalo live-weight price lower than cattle, lack of grazing areas.
[19] emphasized the importance of in situ conservation and considers ex situ conservation as essential complementary activity to in situ. In situ conservation is often regarded as the preferred method because it ensures that a breed is maintained in a dynamic state [10, 12]. All objectives of conservation can be reached the best ( with in situ conservation ) and it offers ample possibilities for utilization, [11, 12, 16]. The populations with small census sizes are at risk of the loss of genetic variability caused by genetic drift. The effective population size is a parameter that is commonly used to evaluate the genetic variability of a population. It is suggested that this parameter has to be 50 [17, 9, 12]. Small Populations not subject to an explicit process of artificial selection, the impact of selection (either natural or artificial ) is small (most of the genetic variants are neutral with respect to phenotype ) and the fate of an allele (its eventual loss or fixation ) is mainly driven by genetic drift, which is a random process that express the fluctuation of the frequencies of alleles( the number of copies of them in the population ) due to the finite and random sampling of gametes to generate offspring [8]. To maintain genetic diversity, minimum co ancestry among individuals should be sought. This minimizes the variance of contributions from ancestors to descendants in all previous generations [1].
Managing an animal population involves two steps: first, the individuals who will be permitted to leave descendants are to be chosen and the number offspring they will be permitted to produce has to be determined; second, the mating scheme has to be identified. The Steps are directed to the maximization of effective population size and, therefore, act jointly on the reduction in the loss of genetic variation [2, 6]. There are different mating schemes. Regular hierarchical scheme, an equal number of female are mated to each male in every generation. The scheme works by performing a type of within –family selection (selecting the best of the sibs from each family), [3]. Within –family selection provides lower response and it leads to lower losses of diversity and
Δ F lower than family selecting (all the selected
animals are close relative). This scheme can be
modified so as to get an even smaller Δ F by
controlling not only the numbers of offspring per parent but also the contribution of each individual to its descendants across generations [5]. When pedigree data are available, the minimum co-ancestry contributions methodology can be applied. In circular mating schemes, males are exchanged between groups of females [4]. This scheme is easy to implement and
ensures low Δ F in the long term, although it may increase Δ F in the short term due to partial
subdivision of the population.
At beginning 2003 years, the whole buffalo population amounted to 75 heads only. Under these conditions it was stated “species at risk of extinction” [14]. So, ALBAGENE Association in collaboration with GEF/UNDP, LRI and a small number of farmers started the application of in situ conservation program of this specie. Outputs were: The two herds with not less than 40-50 heads for each established. A group of 10 farmers keeping 5 buffalos in small family farm conditions were supported. Four male lines were established. Three other small herds with 2, 4 and 4 buffalo heads besides of nucleus- herds were created in Divjake and Fier regions of the program. Part of the program were also 22 buffalo head distributed to different regions and kept in small farm with 1-2 heads each of them. Albanian Government in order to stimulate the buffalo farmers took the decision to support them with 350 $ for each buffalo and 150 $ for young buffalo. In spite of the small number of Albanian buffalo population, its high genetic variability and low level of inbreeding made possible its successful in-situ conservation [15,18]
in situ governmental support hasn’t lacked (200 $ per breeding animal). The main reasons are: (i) very limited access to market for milk selling (because of the price of 1.5 $ /kg, which is considered high from the market) and low price of buffalo meat ( 5$/kg); (ii) the reduction of grazing area.
Actually, in Albania, buffalo population amounts to about 260 heads. So, Livestock Technology Directorate of Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre, Fushe Kruje, in the framework of its program, based on very limited financial fund, undertook an in situ conservation program of buffalo nucleus herd in Divjake area at beginning 2012years. The short term objectives of the program are: (i) stoping the reduction of population size and enlargement of real (census) and effective population size, (ii) maintenance of the genetic variability by a breeding and mating scheme to decrease inbreeding and genetic drift within buffalo’s nucleus herd and two other small herds (26 buffalo cows and 3 buffalo bulls), that are going to be invloved in 2015 (an “open” nucleus design); (iii) improving the management of the animals at farm level and (iv) estimation of productive and reproductive performance of nucleus herd; (v) access to local market. Long term objectives: (i) Optimizing genetic improvement program and production system; (ii) development of high-quality products for niche markets; (iii) promoting private incentives to support and provide the sustainability of in situ conservation program and economic use of this species. (iv) establishing buffalo breeders association.
Materials and methods
A buffalo population of 113 heads, originated from two ex nucleus farms were involved in an in situ conservation program. A breeding and mating scheme was adopted for maintenance of the genetic variability, decreasing inbreeding and genetic drift. The estimation of the population size, structure and trend were based on the analysis of the data collected to nucleus farm. All animals remained in the active breeding nucleus herd, independently, on whether they are closely related to other animals of nucleus herd or not, as the extent of genetic drift depends on the number of individuals available. As pedigree data were not available, to balance the contribution of each individual to next generation, a mating and within- family selection scheme was applied. Each sire was mated to a fixed numbers of dams. F:M ratio ( r=10). Selection, according to principle, one male from each sire family and one female from each dam family (each sire is replaced by one of his sons and each dam
by one of her daughters) in next generation was planned [3]. According to this procedure, the rate of inbreeding per generation was calculated by the formula: Δ F = 3/(32NM ) + 1/(32NF ); where NM and
NF are the numbers of breeding males and females
respectively. Effective size (Ne) of population was calculated by the formula: Ne = 4* NM * NF / NM + NF.
Milk sampling and lactation yield calculation were carried out according to the ICAR guidelines, [13]. Milk records were received every month (1x- alternative milking). Fat, protein and lactose content of milk samples were analyzed every three months by Gerber Laktostar. The yields of the complete lactations were calculated by the method of Test Interval [7] :
My = I0 M1 + I1*( M1 +M2 ) /2 + I2 *( M2 + M3 ) /2
+In-1*(Mn-1+ Mn ) +In Mn where: M1, M2 …andMn, are
milk records.; I0, interval from calving to first record,
I1, I2 and In-1 are intervals (in days) between two
consecutive milk records. Live weights, withers heights and chest girths of buffalo calves at birth, 3 months, 6 months were estimated. Average daily gain (g) from birth to 6 months was estimated. The data were analyzed by ANOVA
Results and discussion
The Analysis of age class structure and numbers of male and female animals, especially, breeding males and females of nucleus herd aimed to establish a clear picture regarding with opportunities offered to undertake a in situ conservation program, defining short and long term objectives.
The growth of population size, the improvement of management and feeding, planning and applying the adequate breeding and mating schemes as well as the reduction of mortality rate at new born animals were first actions undertaken for nucleus herd. Table 1shows that there is a doubling the number of buffalo heifer calves for 2012 and 2013 compared to 2011 years. The whole nucleus herd population size was increased by 38.8 % for 2013 compared to 2012
Number of male and female parents, effective size and rate of inbreeding are given in Table 2. If compared to 2012, number of breeding animals in nucleus herd was increased by 11.3 % for 2013, and it will be increased by 30.5 % and 67.8 % for 2014 and 2015 years respectively.
Effective size (Ne) of nucleus herd population from 18.3 was reached to 21.8 for 2013and it will be reached to 25.4 for 2014. In 2015 years, Ne will be
reached to 43.5(nucleus + two other herds), while Δ F
of indicators reached to this population are promising not only to the growth of herd size, maintenance of
genetic variability but also improving genetic parameters of buffalo population in the future.
Table 1: Age classes of buffalo’s nucleus herd population, 15 December 2013
female animals
year of birth no. of heads age(years)
m±δ year of birth no. of heads age(years) m±δ
1996 2 17.65± 0.03 2006 4 7.71±0.14
1997 1 16.84 2007 10 6.78±0.03
2000 1 13.84 2008 8 5.7±0.12
2001 1 12.76 2009 6 4.7±0.07
2002 1 11.78 2010 8 3.73±0.06
2003 3 10.81±0.04 2011 9 2.70± 0.09 2004 5 9.68±0.06 2012 11 1.7± 0.11 2005 4 8.65±0.03 2013 22 0.54± 0.06
male animals
2008 4 5.53±0.34 2011 7 2.62±0.22
2009 2 4.5±0.07 2012 14 1.57±0.12
2010 7 3.61±0.09 2013 19 0.55±0.09 *(Nucleus ) + two small herds
Table 2. Total number of male ( NM ) and female (NF ) parents, effective population size(Ne ) and rate of
Inbreeding (Δ F )
year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015*
NM 4 5 6 7 12(9)
NF 46 54 60 70 116(90)
Ne 14.7 18.3 21.8 25.4 43.5(32.7)
Δ F 2.36 1.87 1.61 1.38 0.8(1.07)
*(Nucleus) + two small herds
Table 3. Milk yields and lactation length of buffalo cows Item I-st lactation
(n=4)
II-nd lactation (n=6)
III-rd lactation (n=7)
IV-th lactation (n=3) milk yield (milked) (kg) 540± 73 610± 74 680±87 704±93 lactation length (days) 253±14 258±15 263±11 262±13
As seen in Figure 1, out of 54 breeding females, 45 of them born offspring, fulfilling the fertility at rate of 83 %. There is no a normal distribution of buffalo cows’ calvings during the different months of year. They are mainly concentrated on May and June months, 20 and 13 heads respectively, or 73 % of the total.
Such calving curve reflects not enough feeding of nucleus herd animals in different seasons of years, especially, during the winter time. From autumn to spring time, the feeding is based on the poor quality maize straw (8 kg/day) and low intake of hay (1-2 kg/day), while grazing is very limited or sometimes lacked. Small intake (0.5- 1kg/day) of a mixture composed of corn and wheat bran fed to pregnant buffalo cows and heifers and calves as well. In order to supplement feed diets of nucleus herd animals, this farm was supplied with an intake of inputs ( the
balanced mixture of grains). A technological card of buffalo’s raising was compiled in order that buffalo breeders to attain enough knowledge on the management and feeding the animals as well as the implementation of it at farm level.
0 2
0 4
20
13
6
0 5 10 15 20 25
J F M A M J J A S O N D
no. of heads
in situ Productive performance indicators of nucleus herd animals are given in table 3, 4 and 5. A total of 20 lactations were estimated. The highest milk (milked) yield per lactation was achieved from 4-th lactation buffalo cows (30 % higher compared to first lactation). Besides of a high variacionof milk yield ( milked ) during the lactation( lact. I, 490-640 kg; lact II, 510-720 kg;lact. III, 593-816 kg; lact. IV, 658-738 kg), there is also a high variation in fat and protein
content ( fat, 4.2-11.76%; protein, 3.66- 5.36% ). The analyzes carried out for fat, protein and lactose content of whole milk show that buffalo’s milk is especially distinguished to high fat and protein percentages. Approximate results are reported by [15]
Live weights and body measurements of 18 females and 16 males were recorded in order to estimate growth performance of buffalo calves born in 2013.
Table 4 Fat, protein and lactose content (%) of buffalos’ whole milk
no. of samples analyzed fat % protein % lactose %
80 7.86±1.2 4.6 ±0.62 5.2 ±0.67
Table 5. Body weight (kg), wither height (cm) and chest girth of buffalo calves (females, n =18 and males, n=16)
item at birth 3 months old 6 months old
females males females males females males body weight (kg)
(s.e.)
22± 2.84 (0.67)
24 ± 2.76 (0.69)
50.8±7.69 (1.81)
55.6±8.9 (2.22)
92.6 ±8.04 (1.89)
102.6±11.3 (2.82) wither heights(cm)
(s.e.)
68.2±2.76 (0.65)
71.2±2.66 (0.67)
79.2± 3.57 (0.71)
83.8 ±3.3 (0.82)
88.4 ±3.9 (0.92)
92.9±4.17 (1.04) chest girths (cm)
(s.e.)
69.4±2.88 (0.68)
73.6±2.70 (0.67)
86.1±4.0 (0.94)
91.5±4.2 (1.05)
95.8 ±4.3 (1.01)
103 ±5.31 (1.33)
The data show that there are the significant differences (P<0.05) in growth indicators between two sexes. So, live weights: at birth, 3 and 6 months of males are 9.1; 9.4 and 10.8 % higher than females, respectively. Average daily gain of males from birth to 6 months old is 434± 62 g or 10.7% higher compared to females. (392±34g). Wither heights of males at birth and six months old s are 4.4 and 5.1 % higher than females respectively.
The attempts have been made in order to have more and more access to market for selling the products (milk and meat). The milk is mainly bought from small producers of ice cream and yogurt. Recently, producers of “mozzarella” cheese have been contacted, who are seen as potential buyers of buffalo’s milk.
Outputs achieved, can be summarized: (i) the reduction of population size stopped; (ii) the real and effective population size enlarged; (iii) the performance indicators of nucleus herd animals estimated; (iv) the technological card of buffalo’s raising compiled; (v) feeding program improved; (vi) knowledge of farmers enlarged; (vii) access to market improved.
Conclusions
Performance indicators of nucleus herd animals show that buffalo population is characterized by a considerable variation of its own phenotypic traits. Optimal management by implementing in situ conservation and genetic improvement program that support the sustainable economic use is the main way for maintenance and sustainable development of autochthonous species and breeds that are threatened by the risk of dilution or extinction
As buffalo population is situated on touristic area and part of an ecosystem characterized by a high biodiversity, it could be seen as integral part, which positively affects on this ecosystem and also contributes to the agro-tourism development offering high quality products to local market and larger.
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