Estimation of crossbreeding parameters and growth performance of Begait × Sekota sheep crossbred under on-farm conditions of Wag-himra, Northern Ethiopia

Crossbreeding programs using either exotic or indigenous sires are an appropriate and rapid way to improve productivity within a shorter generation interval. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the growth performance traits of individual crossbreeding parameters of Sekota x Begait sheep crossbred under on-farm conditions in the lowland areas of Wag-himra, Northern Ethiopia. The cross-breeding program was conducted from 2018 to 2022 in Kasayred village of Abergele district on 699 animals. Least-squares means for weight at different ages and average daily weight gains were obtained by fitting the general linear model procedure in the SAS software. Crossbreeding parameters, including additive, heterosis, and recombination loss, were derived by fitting them as fixed covariates. The overall least square means for birth weight (BWt), three-month weight (TMWt), six-month weight (SMWt), nine-month weight (NMWt), and yearling weight (YWt) of evaluated progenies were 2.49±0.02, 11.61±0.09, 15.66±0.17, 19.27±0.18, and 23.46±0.23 kg, respectively. The overall least square means for average daily weight gain up to weaning (ADG1), six-month (ADG2), nine-month (ADG3), and yearling (ADG4) were 101.03±1.00, 45.30±1.38, 40.93±1.20, and 46.07±0.90 g/day. Only the additive effect of BWt for the Begait sheep breed was significant and it was found as 0.35±0.13 kg. Heterosis contributed 27-39 % live body weight improvement for Sekota sheep at yearling and six-month weights. In general, this pilot crossbreeding program resulted in 24% to 53% yearling weight improvement of pure Sekota breed (50%,75%, and 25% blood levels, respectively), and participating farmers in the program witnessed that it was important in terms of improvement in phenotypic traits, growth rates, and market values. Based on the result of this study, we recommend establishing a 50% crossbred ram multiplication center in the area for long-term operation and further evaluating other blood levels by incorporating carcass and reproductive performance traits.