Evaluation of Models for Longevity in a Closed Nucleus Breeding Programme: A Case Study Kenyan Sahiwal

Abstract

Longevity and stay ability are parameters in any breeding programme. The Overstaying of any animal on a farm has got negative effects on the farmer. Short stay also means early exit of good animals that could have been used for a longer time and more productive. The intention of this review paper is to emphasize the importance of models that an upcoming breeding program can use without affecting the quality of the herd. In this paper, longevity is taken purely on the performance measure. The functional and type traits of longevity should be studied further before all models are put into play. But the case of closed breeding programmes, performance traits are easily measurable because many animals will exit the herd as they have been sold to farmers hence many functional straits will be expressed outside the herd. Genetic evaluation of the Kenyan Sahiwal should account for inbreeding. This study has also provided genetic and phenotypic parameters to enable the inclusion of longevity in the breeding objective for the Sahiwal cattle improvement programme.