Genetic gain in selected herds of Khari goats over generations in Nepal

1. Genetic gain in selected herds of Khari goats over generations in Nepal Rupak Khadka European Master in Animal Breeding and Genetics Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden Christian-Albrechts University, Germany

2. About the breed Found across the hills and inner valleys Represents 56 % of the total goat population Highly prolific and good for meat production Hardy and well adapted to local environment Have greater reproductive rate (higher litter size and short kidding interval) Seasonal breeders and come into heat twice a year Relatively small body size & weight from 20 to 40 kg No cross breeding

3. Selection Process Simple Index was used Selection Criteria: # Weaning weight of kids # Number of kids born per kidding # Six months weight for both sire and dam lines

4. Characteristics of the Nucleus flock Nucleus Flock: 120 dams and 15 bucks Replacement: Bucks 100% every two years Dams 20 dams annually Selection: Males 15/100 kids & remain until 2 years Females 25/100 kids & remain up to 6th parity

5. Dissemination Schemes Open Nucleus Breeding Scheme Year 1 Year 2

6. Monitoring of genetic gain Annual Genetic Gain: ?G = R x i x s L ?G = genetic gain per year R = accuracy of selection i = intensity of selection s = genetic standard deviation L= generation interval

7. On Station Parameters 4 month 6 month 9 month 1 year R (%) 2.3 2.9 3.3 4.4 ?G (%) 0.8 1.1 1.2 2.0 L (Yr) 2.75 On Farm Parameters 4 month 6 month R (%) 6.8 7.4 ?G (%) 1.5 1.54 L (Yr) 4.5 Monitoring of genetic gain

8. Table 1: Heritability estimates Parameters Heritability Birth weight Moderate to high (0.22 -0.53) Litter size Low (0.03) Litter weight Moderate (0.21) Table 2: Genetic & Phenotypic correlation among body weights Parameters Birth wt Wean wt 6 month wt 48wk wt Birth wt 0.59�0.237 0.85�0.195 0.02�0.328 Wean wt 0.43 0.87�0.125 0.74�0.224 6 month wt 0.51 0.83 0.84�0.188 48 week wt 0.27 0.65 0.74 Source: Neopane (2000) Genetic parameters of production traits

9. Farmer�s Response Productivity increased through selection Use of bucks from the nucleus flock Avoid negative selection Adopt improved management practices Understand the importance of using quality bucks Identification of traits of interest like coat color and horn type

10. Conclusion Highly prolific breed of goat with twinning and triplets Traits of Interest: Birth weight, weaning weight, litter weights, litter size, milk yield, kidding interval Selection following open nucleus breeding scheme is very effective in weight traits Crossbreeding of Khari goat has been stopped Implementation of such programme has been adopted by Department of Livestock Services and Non-governmental organizations for Khari breeds across the hills of country Artificial Insemination programme can be launched

11. Acknowledgement Dr. Shreeram Prasad Neopane and Prakash Kumar Pokharel, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Nepal Prof. Dr. Jan Philipsson and Birgitta Malmfors, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden European Master in Animal Breeding and Genetics Consortium, Wageningen University, Netherlands