The purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants in the promoter and 5’UTR regions of b... more The purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants in the promoter and 5’UTR regions of bovine leucine amino peptidase three (LAP3) gene and analysed their associations with estimated breeding values (EBVs) of milk production traits and clinical mastitis in Sahiwal and Karan Fries cattle. Eleven SNPs were identified within the region under study of the LAP3 gene, including seven promoter variants (rs717156555: C>G, rs720373055: T>C, rs715189731: A>G, rs516876447: A>G, rs4618572 69: C>T, rs136548163: C>T, and rs720349928: G>A) and four 5’UTR variants (rs717884982: C>T, rs722359733: C>T, rs481631804: C>T and rs462932574: T>G). Out of them, 10 SNPs variants were found in both Sahiwal and Karan Fries cattle, with one SNP variant (rs481631804: C>T) being unique to Karan Fries cattle. Seven of these identified SNPs were chosen for association analyses. Individual SNP based association analysis revealed that two SNPs (rs720373055: T>C and rs72...
The premises for the potential success of molecular breeding is the ability to identify major gen... more The premises for the potential success of molecular breeding is the ability to identify major genes associated with important dairy related traits. The present study was taken up with the objectives to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of bovine MASP2 and SIRT1 genes and its effect on estimated breeding values (EBVs) and to estimate genetic parameters for lactation milk yield (LMY), 305-day milk yield (305dMY), 305-day fat yield (305dFY), 305-day solid not fat yield (305dSNFY) and lactation length (LL) in Sahiwal dairy cattle to devise a promising improvement strategy. Genetic parameters and breeding values of milk production traits were estimated from 935 Sahiwal cattle population (1979–2019) reared at National Dairy Research Institute at Karnal, India. A total of 7 SNPs, where one SNP (g.499C>T) in exon 2 and four SNPs (g.576G>A, g.609T>C, g.684G>T and g.845A>G) in exon 3 region of MASP2 gene and 2 SNPs (g.-306T>C and g.-274G>C) in the promoter reg...
The FecB gene of Garole sheep was introgressed into non-prolific Malpura sheep to evolve a new pr... more The FecB gene of Garole sheep was introgressed into non-prolific Malpura sheep to evolve a new prolific sheep strain Garole × Malpura (GM), suitable for semi-arid conditions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of breeding program on production profile of GM sheep and to estimate the genetic parameters for growth traits of GM sheep. Overall prolificacy increased significantly in the new strain as compared to the native Malpura sheep. In the GM flock of F2 and F2 onwards generation 35.31% single, 55.83% twins, 8.16% triplet and 0.70% quadruplets were obtained during lambing. Over the years, prolificacy in the flock has increased significantly. Over all least squares means for birth weight, 3, 6, 9, 12 month weight, pre-weaning gain (ADG1) and post-weaning gain (ADG2) were 1.82±0.
(Co)variance components and genetic parameters of weight at birth (BWT), weaning (3WT), 6, 9 and ... more (Co)variance components and genetic parameters of weight at birth (BWT), weaning (3WT), 6, 9 and 12 months of age (6WT, 9WT and 12WT, respectively) and first greasy fleece weight (GFW) of Bharat Merino sheep, maintained at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India, were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting six animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal effects. Data were collected over a period of 10 years (1998 to 2007). A log-likelihood ratio test was used to select the most appropriate univariate model for each trait, which was subsequently used in bivariate analysis. Heritability estimates for BWT, 3WT, 6WT, 9WT and 12WT and first GFW were 0.05 ± 0.03, 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.00, 0.03 ± 0.03, 0.09 ± 0.05 and 0.05 ± 0.03, respectively. There was no evidence for the maternal genetic effect on the traits under study. Maternal permanent environmental effect contributed 19% for BWT and 6% to 11% from 3WT to 9WT and 11% for first GFW. Maternal permanent environmental effect on the post-3WT was a carryover effect of maternal influences during pre-weaning age. A low rate of genetic progress seems possible in the flock through selection. Direct genetic correlations between body weight traits were positive and ranged from 0.36 between BWT and 6WT to 0.94 between 3WT and 6WT and between 6WT and 12WT. Genetic correlations of 3WT with 6WT, 9WT and 12WT were high and positive (0.94, 0.93 and 0.93, respectively), suggesting that genetic gain in post-3WT will be maintained if selection age is reduced to 3 months. The genetic correlations of GFW with live weights were 0.01, 0.16, 0.18, 0.40 and 0.32 for BWT, 3WT, 6WT, 9WT and 12WT, respectively. Correlations of permanent environmental effects of the dam across different traits were high and positive for all the traits (0.45 to 0.98).
Bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) is essentially responsible for disease resistance in cattle; howe... more Bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) is essentially responsible for disease resistance in cattle; however there is possibility of its association with other economically important traits. BoLA has been studied extensively for DRB3 gene polymorphism in zebu as well as exotic cattle and their association with several disease resistance traits. In this report we tried to study the association of DRB3 polymorphism in crossbred cattle with milk characteristics and reproduction status. A total of 11 alleles were found in the population that had more than 3% frequency. Least squares mean for 305 days milk yield in crossbred cows was 2412.79±68 kg and average daily milk protein yield was 2.98±0.02 g. In the study we could not see statistically significant association of DRB3 polymorphism with the milk yield or milk protein content of the crossbred cattle, indicating they are independent of each other. For reproductive status of cattle, we could clearly see the biased distribution of alleles for the repeat or normal breeders. Alleles DRB3*0801, *0701, *2801 and *1505 were exclusive to normal breeder category. Similarly alleles *1101, *0801, *1801 and *1601 had higher frequency in normal breeder category. There was no allele exclusive to repeat breeder category, however, alleles *3201, *0201 and *1103 had tendency to fall in repeat breeder category.
FMD is one of the most contagious diseases of cloven-hoofed farm animals and remains a major thre... more FMD is one of the most contagious diseases of cloven-hoofed farm animals and remains a major threat to animal husbandry. In India, vaccination with the inactivated trivalent (O, A and Asia1) vaccine for the control of FMD is one proven way for protecting the livestock. In this study we tried to find the relationship between production and reproduction parameters of the crossbred cattle with FMD virus vaccine elicited immune response. In the present herd, average 305 days milk yield and daily protein yield was 2244.83 ± 80.44 kg and 2.98 ± 0.017 g, respectively. Study revealed that the vaccine response and 305 day milk yield as well as protein yield are independent of each other and they do not affect occurrence of each other. However, the association between vaccine response and part milk yield in crossbred cattle were significant in the present study. Those cattle that were in their first trimester of lactation had lower antibody titer to the FMD virus vaccine as compared to the la...
The carcass traits of six month old Malpura finisher male lambs maintained on grazing with supple... more The carcass traits of six month old Malpura finisher male lambs maintained on grazing with supplementation of ad lib concentrate during evening hours were studied. Average pre-slaughter weight, empty live weight and hot carcass weight of lambs were 21.18±0.38 kg, 18.45±0.35 kg and 10.34±0.59 kg, respectively. Dressing yield on empty live weight (ELW) was 56.12%. The standard cuts of carcass contained 61.11% lean, 5.05% superficial fat, 3.94% inter-muscular fat and 14.79% bone content. The loin eye area an index of muscle growth was recorded as 11.49 cm2. Present practice of feeding provided carcass of acceptable quality, however, very less fat content of carcass suggested the further scope of providing more intensive feeding such as stall feeding without browsing to get adequate growth.
One of the important considerations for sheep farmers is to increase lifetime productivity of the... more One of the important considerations for sheep farmers is to increase lifetime productivity of their flocks. Evaluating the cumulative lifetime production of a group of ewes presents a good measure of the entire flock operation (Iman and Slyter 1996). Considering the importance of prolificacy in sheep, a cross breeding scheme was initiated in 1997 at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, India to increase prolificacy of mutton type non-prolific sheep breed Malpura of semi-arid region through Garole of hot and humid environment to produce the Garole×Malpura (GM) crossbred. Davis et al. (2002) has identified the FecB mutation in Garole and Indonesian Javanese sheep and hypothesized that the hyper prolificacy of these breeds resulted from the FecB gene that caused the high prolificacy of Australian Booroola Merinos. The information on lifetime ewes’ productive efficiency, litter size, and weaning rate in Garole crosses is scanty. Therefore, the present study was underta...
Estimates of (co)variance components were obtained for lamb growth traits in Bharat Merino sheep ... more Estimates of (co)variance components were obtained for lamb growth traits in Bharat Merino sheep over a period of 17 years (1990–2006). Records of 2 630 lambs from 214 sires and 949 dams were used for this analysis. Data were analyzed by restricted maximum likelihood (REML), fitting an animal model ignoring or including maternal genetic and maternal permanent environment effect. Six different animal models were fitted for all traits. Overall additive genetic variability was very low in the flock for all the traits (h2 for birth, 3 and 6 month weight, ADG1 and ADG2 obtained from the best model were 0.06±0.02, 0.01±0.02, 0.01±0.01, 0.04±0.02 and 0.00, respectively). Maternal effects declined with the advancement of age. Partitioning of maternal effect into genetic and permanent environmental components was difficult. Correlation between direct and maternal genetic effect was high and negative. Complex models explained variation more efficiently than the simple models.
The objective of the study was to propose a model for a community-based breeding programme (CBBP)... more The objective of the study was to propose a model for a community-based breeding programme (CBBP) in Malpura sheep. The study was carried out for nine years (2012-2018) in 31 villages covering 77 flocks. The average flock size was 54.39 ± 0.65. The study revealed that the Malpura sheep is a long-day breeder with 72.1% of lambing during August to January. The higher concentration of lambing in this period is to avoid the stress of harsh summer and scarcity of feed. The disposal pattern of male lambs was stringent due to selection. Only 3.1% of male lambs reach to adult stage. For females, the replacement rate was 34.11%. The live weights (kg) from 8,263 lambs were 3.34 ± 0.01, 14.61 ± 0.04, 20.48 ± 0.07 and 30.01 ± 0.16, for birth, three-, six- and 12-month age, respectively. Non-genetic factors such as sex, season and year of birth and flock significantly influenced growth. The heritability was 0.20 ± 0.03, 0.20 ± 0.008, 0.23 ± 0.004 and 0.17 ± 0.009 for birth, three-, six- and 12-m...
... Authors Mishra, AK; Arora, AL; Prince, LLL; Sushil Kumar; Gowane, GR Journal Indian Veterinar... more ... Authors Mishra, AK; Arora, AL; Prince, LLL; Sushil Kumar; Gowane, GR Journal Indian Veterinary Journal 2009 Vol. 86 No. 5 pp. ... The body weight at different ages and GFY were associated with moderate to high degree of genetic variation. ...
Murrah breed of buffalo is an excellent dairy germplasm known for its superior milk quality in te... more Murrah breed of buffalo is an excellent dairy germplasm known for its superior milk quality in terms of milk fat and solids-not-fat (SNF); however, it is often reported that Indian buffaloes had lower lactation and fertility potential compared to the non-native cattle of the country. Recent techniques, particularly the genome-wide association studies (GWAS), to identify genomic variations associated with lactation and fertility traits offer prospects for systematic improvement of buffalo. DNA samples were sequenced using the double-digestion restriction-associated DNA (RAD) tag genotyping-by-sequencing. The bioinformatics pipeline was standardized to call the variants, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) qualifying the stringent quality check measures were retained for GWAS. Over 38,000 SNPs were used to perform GWAS on the first two principal components of test-day records of milk yields, fat percentages, and SNF percentages, separately. GWAS was also performed on 305 days’ ...
Background: The Malpura sheep is hardy breed of semi-arid region of Rajasthan. Farmers do not get... more Background: The Malpura sheep is hardy breed of semi-arid region of Rajasthan. Farmers do not get the due share for their heavy weight lambs as animals are never sold on weight basis. Researchers have worked out the ways of predicting the live weight of sheep/goats using body measurements. However, very few studies have tried to address this issue, especially in India. Aim of this study was to construct a prediction scale for live weight of sheep using simple measure of heart girth and body length, such scale will further benefit the shepherds to guess the live weight of the lambs sold and expect the desired price from the customer. Methods: The present study was conducted on 1164 records of 823 Malpura sheep at CSWRI, Avikanagar. The data on live weight (N=1164) and corresponding morphometric measures on heart girth and body length were digitalized and subjected to analysis. we used 14 linear predictors and regressed them on the live weight to obtain the estimates of regression, co...
The purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants in the promoter and 5’UTR regions of b... more The purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants in the promoter and 5’UTR regions of bovine leucine amino peptidase three (LAP3) gene and analysed their associations with estimated breeding values (EBVs) of milk production traits and clinical mastitis in Sahiwal and Karan Fries cattle. Eleven SNPs were identified within the region under study of the LAP3 gene, including seven promoter variants (rs717156555: C>G, rs720373055: T>C, rs715189731: A>G, rs516876447: A>G, rs4618572 69: C>T, rs136548163: C>T, and rs720349928: G>A) and four 5’UTR variants (rs717884982: C>T, rs722359733: C>T, rs481631804: C>T and rs462932574: T>G). Out of them, 10 SNPs variants were found in both Sahiwal and Karan Fries cattle, with one SNP variant (rs481631804: C>T) being unique to Karan Fries cattle. Seven of these identified SNPs were chosen for association analyses. Individual SNP based association analysis revealed that two SNPs (rs720373055: T>C and rs72...
The premises for the potential success of molecular breeding is the ability to identify major gen... more The premises for the potential success of molecular breeding is the ability to identify major genes associated with important dairy related traits. The present study was taken up with the objectives to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of bovine MASP2 and SIRT1 genes and its effect on estimated breeding values (EBVs) and to estimate genetic parameters for lactation milk yield (LMY), 305-day milk yield (305dMY), 305-day fat yield (305dFY), 305-day solid not fat yield (305dSNFY) and lactation length (LL) in Sahiwal dairy cattle to devise a promising improvement strategy. Genetic parameters and breeding values of milk production traits were estimated from 935 Sahiwal cattle population (1979–2019) reared at National Dairy Research Institute at Karnal, India. A total of 7 SNPs, where one SNP (g.499C>T) in exon 2 and four SNPs (g.576G>A, g.609T>C, g.684G>T and g.845A>G) in exon 3 region of MASP2 gene and 2 SNPs (g.-306T>C and g.-274G>C) in the promoter reg...
The FecB gene of Garole sheep was introgressed into non-prolific Malpura sheep to evolve a new pr... more The FecB gene of Garole sheep was introgressed into non-prolific Malpura sheep to evolve a new prolific sheep strain Garole × Malpura (GM), suitable for semi-arid conditions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of breeding program on production profile of GM sheep and to estimate the genetic parameters for growth traits of GM sheep. Overall prolificacy increased significantly in the new strain as compared to the native Malpura sheep. In the GM flock of F2 and F2 onwards generation 35.31% single, 55.83% twins, 8.16% triplet and 0.70% quadruplets were obtained during lambing. Over the years, prolificacy in the flock has increased significantly. Over all least squares means for birth weight, 3, 6, 9, 12 month weight, pre-weaning gain (ADG1) and post-weaning gain (ADG2) were 1.82±0.
(Co)variance components and genetic parameters of weight at birth (BWT), weaning (3WT), 6, 9 and ... more (Co)variance components and genetic parameters of weight at birth (BWT), weaning (3WT), 6, 9 and 12 months of age (6WT, 9WT and 12WT, respectively) and first greasy fleece weight (GFW) of Bharat Merino sheep, maintained at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India, were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting six animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal effects. Data were collected over a period of 10 years (1998 to 2007). A log-likelihood ratio test was used to select the most appropriate univariate model for each trait, which was subsequently used in bivariate analysis. Heritability estimates for BWT, 3WT, 6WT, 9WT and 12WT and first GFW were 0.05 ± 0.03, 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.00, 0.03 ± 0.03, 0.09 ± 0.05 and 0.05 ± 0.03, respectively. There was no evidence for the maternal genetic effect on the traits under study. Maternal permanent environmental effect contributed 19% for BWT and 6% to 11% from 3WT to 9WT and 11% for first GFW. Maternal permanent environmental effect on the post-3WT was a carryover effect of maternal influences during pre-weaning age. A low rate of genetic progress seems possible in the flock through selection. Direct genetic correlations between body weight traits were positive and ranged from 0.36 between BWT and 6WT to 0.94 between 3WT and 6WT and between 6WT and 12WT. Genetic correlations of 3WT with 6WT, 9WT and 12WT were high and positive (0.94, 0.93 and 0.93, respectively), suggesting that genetic gain in post-3WT will be maintained if selection age is reduced to 3 months. The genetic correlations of GFW with live weights were 0.01, 0.16, 0.18, 0.40 and 0.32 for BWT, 3WT, 6WT, 9WT and 12WT, respectively. Correlations of permanent environmental effects of the dam across different traits were high and positive for all the traits (0.45 to 0.98).
Bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) is essentially responsible for disease resistance in cattle; howe... more Bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) is essentially responsible for disease resistance in cattle; however there is possibility of its association with other economically important traits. BoLA has been studied extensively for DRB3 gene polymorphism in zebu as well as exotic cattle and their association with several disease resistance traits. In this report we tried to study the association of DRB3 polymorphism in crossbred cattle with milk characteristics and reproduction status. A total of 11 alleles were found in the population that had more than 3% frequency. Least squares mean for 305 days milk yield in crossbred cows was 2412.79±68 kg and average daily milk protein yield was 2.98±0.02 g. In the study we could not see statistically significant association of DRB3 polymorphism with the milk yield or milk protein content of the crossbred cattle, indicating they are independent of each other. For reproductive status of cattle, we could clearly see the biased distribution of alleles for the repeat or normal breeders. Alleles DRB3*0801, *0701, *2801 and *1505 were exclusive to normal breeder category. Similarly alleles *1101, *0801, *1801 and *1601 had higher frequency in normal breeder category. There was no allele exclusive to repeat breeder category, however, alleles *3201, *0201 and *1103 had tendency to fall in repeat breeder category.
FMD is one of the most contagious diseases of cloven-hoofed farm animals and remains a major thre... more FMD is one of the most contagious diseases of cloven-hoofed farm animals and remains a major threat to animal husbandry. In India, vaccination with the inactivated trivalent (O, A and Asia1) vaccine for the control of FMD is one proven way for protecting the livestock. In this study we tried to find the relationship between production and reproduction parameters of the crossbred cattle with FMD virus vaccine elicited immune response. In the present herd, average 305 days milk yield and daily protein yield was 2244.83 ± 80.44 kg and 2.98 ± 0.017 g, respectively. Study revealed that the vaccine response and 305 day milk yield as well as protein yield are independent of each other and they do not affect occurrence of each other. However, the association between vaccine response and part milk yield in crossbred cattle were significant in the present study. Those cattle that were in their first trimester of lactation had lower antibody titer to the FMD virus vaccine as compared to the la...
The carcass traits of six month old Malpura finisher male lambs maintained on grazing with supple... more The carcass traits of six month old Malpura finisher male lambs maintained on grazing with supplementation of ad lib concentrate during evening hours were studied. Average pre-slaughter weight, empty live weight and hot carcass weight of lambs were 21.18±0.38 kg, 18.45±0.35 kg and 10.34±0.59 kg, respectively. Dressing yield on empty live weight (ELW) was 56.12%. The standard cuts of carcass contained 61.11% lean, 5.05% superficial fat, 3.94% inter-muscular fat and 14.79% bone content. The loin eye area an index of muscle growth was recorded as 11.49 cm2. Present practice of feeding provided carcass of acceptable quality, however, very less fat content of carcass suggested the further scope of providing more intensive feeding such as stall feeding without browsing to get adequate growth.
One of the important considerations for sheep farmers is to increase lifetime productivity of the... more One of the important considerations for sheep farmers is to increase lifetime productivity of their flocks. Evaluating the cumulative lifetime production of a group of ewes presents a good measure of the entire flock operation (Iman and Slyter 1996). Considering the importance of prolificacy in sheep, a cross breeding scheme was initiated in 1997 at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, India to increase prolificacy of mutton type non-prolific sheep breed Malpura of semi-arid region through Garole of hot and humid environment to produce the Garole×Malpura (GM) crossbred. Davis et al. (2002) has identified the FecB mutation in Garole and Indonesian Javanese sheep and hypothesized that the hyper prolificacy of these breeds resulted from the FecB gene that caused the high prolificacy of Australian Booroola Merinos. The information on lifetime ewes’ productive efficiency, litter size, and weaning rate in Garole crosses is scanty. Therefore, the present study was underta...
Estimates of (co)variance components were obtained for lamb growth traits in Bharat Merino sheep ... more Estimates of (co)variance components were obtained for lamb growth traits in Bharat Merino sheep over a period of 17 years (1990–2006). Records of 2 630 lambs from 214 sires and 949 dams were used for this analysis. Data were analyzed by restricted maximum likelihood (REML), fitting an animal model ignoring or including maternal genetic and maternal permanent environment effect. Six different animal models were fitted for all traits. Overall additive genetic variability was very low in the flock for all the traits (h2 for birth, 3 and 6 month weight, ADG1 and ADG2 obtained from the best model were 0.06±0.02, 0.01±0.02, 0.01±0.01, 0.04±0.02 and 0.00, respectively). Maternal effects declined with the advancement of age. Partitioning of maternal effect into genetic and permanent environmental components was difficult. Correlation between direct and maternal genetic effect was high and negative. Complex models explained variation more efficiently than the simple models.
The objective of the study was to propose a model for a community-based breeding programme (CBBP)... more The objective of the study was to propose a model for a community-based breeding programme (CBBP) in Malpura sheep. The study was carried out for nine years (2012-2018) in 31 villages covering 77 flocks. The average flock size was 54.39 ± 0.65. The study revealed that the Malpura sheep is a long-day breeder with 72.1% of lambing during August to January. The higher concentration of lambing in this period is to avoid the stress of harsh summer and scarcity of feed. The disposal pattern of male lambs was stringent due to selection. Only 3.1% of male lambs reach to adult stage. For females, the replacement rate was 34.11%. The live weights (kg) from 8,263 lambs were 3.34 ± 0.01, 14.61 ± 0.04, 20.48 ± 0.07 and 30.01 ± 0.16, for birth, three-, six- and 12-month age, respectively. Non-genetic factors such as sex, season and year of birth and flock significantly influenced growth. The heritability was 0.20 ± 0.03, 0.20 ± 0.008, 0.23 ± 0.004 and 0.17 ± 0.009 for birth, three-, six- and 12-m...
... Authors Mishra, AK; Arora, AL; Prince, LLL; Sushil Kumar; Gowane, GR Journal Indian Veterinar... more ... Authors Mishra, AK; Arora, AL; Prince, LLL; Sushil Kumar; Gowane, GR Journal Indian Veterinary Journal 2009 Vol. 86 No. 5 pp. ... The body weight at different ages and GFY were associated with moderate to high degree of genetic variation. ...
Murrah breed of buffalo is an excellent dairy germplasm known for its superior milk quality in te... more Murrah breed of buffalo is an excellent dairy germplasm known for its superior milk quality in terms of milk fat and solids-not-fat (SNF); however, it is often reported that Indian buffaloes had lower lactation and fertility potential compared to the non-native cattle of the country. Recent techniques, particularly the genome-wide association studies (GWAS), to identify genomic variations associated with lactation and fertility traits offer prospects for systematic improvement of buffalo. DNA samples were sequenced using the double-digestion restriction-associated DNA (RAD) tag genotyping-by-sequencing. The bioinformatics pipeline was standardized to call the variants, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) qualifying the stringent quality check measures were retained for GWAS. Over 38,000 SNPs were used to perform GWAS on the first two principal components of test-day records of milk yields, fat percentages, and SNF percentages, separately. GWAS was also performed on 305 days’ ...
Background: The Malpura sheep is hardy breed of semi-arid region of Rajasthan. Farmers do not get... more Background: The Malpura sheep is hardy breed of semi-arid region of Rajasthan. Farmers do not get the due share for their heavy weight lambs as animals are never sold on weight basis. Researchers have worked out the ways of predicting the live weight of sheep/goats using body measurements. However, very few studies have tried to address this issue, especially in India. Aim of this study was to construct a prediction scale for live weight of sheep using simple measure of heart girth and body length, such scale will further benefit the shepherds to guess the live weight of the lambs sold and expect the desired price from the customer. Methods: The present study was conducted on 1164 records of 823 Malpura sheep at CSWRI, Avikanagar. The data on live weight (N=1164) and corresponding morphometric measures on heart girth and body length were digitalized and subjected to analysis. we used 14 linear predictors and regressed them on the live weight to obtain the estimates of regression, co...
Uploads
Papers by Gopal Gowane