Growth performances of exotic indigenous crosses under semi-arid conditions in Botswana

Abstract

Crossbreeding as a method of increasing production has been widely used for a number of years. Crossbreeding is the mating of two or more different breeds. This combines the genes of two or more breeds and hence the characteristics of all. Crossbred calves frequently performed better than the pure bred calves of either of the parent breeds. Crossbreeding strategies for increasing productivity are based on information on breed and heterosis (hybrid vigour) effects on traits of economic importance. Hybrid viguor has particular advantages in improving low heritable traits such as calf survival, reproductive performance and maternal ability.Main indigenous cattle breeds on which beef production in Botswana is based are Tswana and Tuli. These breeds have evolved by natural selection and are well adopted to the semi-arid and arid conditions prevailing in Botswana. Tswana and Tuli breeds are well recognized in Botswana for their higher fertility and mothering ability. (Buck and Light, 1982). But they are inferior to some exotic breeds, when their postweaning growth rates and yearly weights are considered. Exotic breeds, although they have desirable production characteristics, they lack resistance to the stresses of semi arid to arid conditions. Strategy to improve the beef production could be to combine the adaptation traits of the indigenous breeds with the desirable production traits of the exotic breeds. Thus the dam lines of the indigenous breeds could be crossed with the sire line of the exotic breeds.