Conservation and Improvement Strategy for Fogera Cattle: A Lesson for Ethiopia Ingenious Cattle Breed Resource
Table 4
Functional traits played by Fogera cattle for the community.
Functions
Component traits
Traction/draft power
(i) Long leg for the black soil and waterlogging areas, strength to hold the harness device, docile temperament
Milk production
(ii) Total milk yield, lactation length, persistency, relatively short calving interval, mothering ability, calf crop production, good fertility
Adaptation
(iii) Adaptation on water logged areas, disease resistance and tolerance to parasite load, walking ability
Beef production
(iv) Better birth and weaning weight, weight gain, weaning age, body conformation, relatively voracious feeding habit, disease resistance, ease of calving and better milk production
Source: focus group discussion of farmers and district experts.