CATTLE BREEDS OF
ZAMBIA
Czech Univerzity of Life Sciences
in Prague, Czech Republic
Institut of Tropics and Subtropics
Ministry of Agriculture and
Co-operatives of ZAMBIA
Department of Veterinary and
Livestock Development
MVDr. J. Holejšovsky Ph.D.
THE BREEDS OF CATTLE IN AFRICA
The African cattle population derives
from three major introductions from Asia
(Epstein, 1957; Faulkner and Epstein, 1957; Williamson and Payne, 1977; Oliver, 1983 )
The first cattle introduced into Africa,
the humpless Hamitic longhorn (Bos taurus
longifrons), arrived about 5 000 BC ,
Ffollowed by the humpless shorthorn (Bos
taurus brachyceros) about 2500 years later
and
the humped zebu (Bos indicus)
in about 1500 B C.
Possible migration routes
of domestic cattle in Africa
Most cattle followed
the Nile Valley
through Egypt or
came through
the Horn of Africa
Further migrations
resulted in a heavy
concentration of cattle
in the highlands of
Ethiopia and Kenya,
regarded today as one
of the original sites of
Africa's indigenous cattle
Interbreeding among
these three types resulted
in the Sanga, so-called
intermediate type,
because of the length of
its horns and the location
of its hump
THE BREEDS OF CATTLE IN AFRICA
The African cattle population derives
from three major introductions from Asia
(Epstein, 1957; Faulkner and Epstein, 1957; Williamson and Payne, 1977; Oliver, 1983 )
The first cattle introduced into Africa,
the humpless Hamitic longhorn (Bos taurus
longifrons), arrived about 5 000 BC ,
Ffollowed by the humpless shorthorn (Bos
taurus brachyceros) about 2500 years later
and
the humped zebu (Bos indicus)
in about 1500 B C.
African cattle breeds
Two domesticated species
- The taurine cattle Bos taurus
- The zebu cattle Bos indicus
(following the Linnæan taxonomy )
recognising that the two species are
fully interfertile and therefore sometimes
considered as subspecies by some authors.
The major Africa cattle groups are:
The humpless African taurine cattle B.
taurus (longhorn and shorthorn taurines),
the humped African zebu B. indicus and
the supposedly crossbreed taurine x zebu
called sanga. (The majority of the sanga have a
taurine Y chromosome, therefore some authors group the
sanga with the African taurine B. taurus).
Barotse Breed
Barotse are big sanga type animals with
large spreading, lyre-shaped horns. The
usual coat colours are brown, dark red,
fawn or black,
Their homeland is Barotseland of West
Zambia and Southeast Angola. The territory
is characterized by the flood plain of the
Zambezi, extending into Angola on the west.
Breed status: The current estimate of the
population is 793 000 (Rege 1999).
According to DAD-IS (2005), population
estimate in Zambia were
less than 100 000.
The Barotse Breed
Utility:
The Barotse are triple purpose cattle (beef,
dairy and work), beef being the most
important product.
Under better management
bulls weigh up to 700 (580) kg and
cows 485 (400 )kg
Age at first calving is about 44 months;
lactation milk yield is 1077 litres in an
average lactation length of 302 days;
conception rate is 67.1% and
the calving interval is 620 days
Name/Strain:
Barotse
Common Name/Synonym: Lozi, Rowzi, Rozi, Baila
The Barotse Breed
BAROTSE
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
This is a long horned Sanga , similar
to the Tswana of Botswana .
Due to historical back ground, this breed
is known to have its habitat extending to
as far as Kafue flood plain and Angola
about 20 degrees East longitude
( Curson, H.H and Thornton, R.W, 1936).
BAROTSE BREED DISTRIBUTION
Breed status:
The current
estimate
of the population
is 793 000 (Rege
1999).
According to
DAD-IS (2005),
population
estimate
in Zambia
were less
than 100 000.
The majority
of this breed
is found
in Angola. Declining
population due
to CBPP . No
Conservation
Progam
BAROTSE
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
In Zambia it is found in Western Province
specifically in the Zambezi flood plain and
south- western part of North-Western
Province.
The Barotse are kept under Kalahari
woodland type of vegetation when out of
flood plain, which is wide
spread in Western Province and south
western part of North-Western Province.
BAROTSE DISTRIBUTION INZAMBIA
BAROTSE
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
The climatic conditions are those
of medium rainfall with hot dry season.
In addition to Trypanosomiasis, CBPP,
there are occasional outbreaks
of Anthrax.
The organisation of the beneficialies
in community based activities
to eradicate some of these major
diseases appear to be bearing
some positive results.
THEBAROTSE BREED PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
COAT
Colour:
Hair type:
Hair length:
Multicolour (black,brown,dark,red,fawn)
Straight
Short
HEAD
Face Profile:
Muzzle colour :
Horns:
Horn
Horn
Horn
Horn
shape:
length:
spacing:
orientation:
Ear size:
Colour of tips:
Ear shape:
Ear Orientation:
Flat·
Pigmented
Present
Lyre
Long
Wide
Upward
Small
Coloured
Straight-edged
Lateral
THEBAROTSE BREED PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
BODY
Wither heights of male
of femele
Body Frame:
Back profile:
Rump Profile:
Hump: Hump Orientation
Hump Location
Dewlap:
Navalflap:
Legs:
Hoofs:
120-137 cm
114-129 cm,
Large
Hollow
Sloping
Erect
Cervico-thoracic
Small
Small
Long
Dark
TAIL
Length
Thickness at the base
Colour of the tail switch
Long
Wide
Uniform(white,black,brown)
The Angoni breed
The Angoni breed belongs to
the group of short - horned Zebus found
predominatly in eastern part of Zambia and
extending a little into the northern part
near the border with Tanzania and Malawi.
Mason and Maule (1960) traced the habitat
of the angoni breed to between
9 degrees and 14 degrees South latitude,
and between
30 degrees and 31 degrees East longitude.
ANGONI
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
The angoni are raised under
three climatic conditions:
i) warm rainy season from
November to April
ii) cool dry season from
May to August
iii) hot dry season from
September to October
ANGONI
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
The vegetation consists of
Miombo woodlands, with
brachystegia and isoberlinia
as a main tree spp, and a grass
undercover of hyperrhenia, setaria,
heteropogony, aristida and
brachiaria
(Joshi R.,Mcluaghlin A., and Phillips
W.,1957, and Black G., 1956).
ANGONI
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
The Angonis' are reared on an
extensive system of production.
Under this system the health
management faces a number
of constraints the most prevalent
ones being East Coast Fever,
a tick – borne disease and
Trypanosomiasis due to
Tsetse fly bites.
THE ANGONI BREED DISTRIBUTION
Breed Reference
Name:
Angoni
Local Synonyms:
Ng'ombe (N)
Strain:
Zambian
THE ANGONI BREED PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
COAT
Colour:
·
·
Multicolour (black,brown,red,dun,,pied,R/W)
Hair type:
Hair length
Straight
Short
HEAD Face Profile:
·
Horns:
Ear size:
Concave
Pigmented
Muzzle colour
Horn
Horn
Horn
Horn
shape
length
spacing
orientation
Colour of tips
Ear shape
Ear Orientation
Present
Straight
Short
Wide
Upward
Small
Coloured
Straight-edged
Lateral
THE ANGONI BREED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
BODY
Body Frame:
Medium
Hollow
Sloping
Back profile:
Rump Profile:
Hump:
Hump Orientation
Hump Location
Dewlap:
Large
Naval flap:
Legs:
Medium,
Medium
Dark
Hoofs:
TAIL
Floppy
Thoracic
Length
Thickness at the base
Colour of the tail switch
Long
Wide
Uniform
( white,
black,brown)
THE TONGA BREED
The Tonga breed is mainly found in
the Southern Province.
It is a short horned Sanga, similar
to the Mashona of Zimbabwe.
The breed is predominantly found
between Kafue and Zambezi rivers,
but due to human migration from south
to north, it now extends to the north of
Kafue river and parts of Central Province.
THE TONGA BREED DISTRIBUTION
THE TONGA BREED
THE TONGA BREED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
COAT
Colour:
Hair type:
Hair length:
Multicolour (black,brown,red, RW, BW)
Straight
Short
HEAD
Face Profile:
Muzzle colour :
Horns:
Horn shape:
Horn length:
Horn spacing:
Horn orientation:
Ear size:
Colour of tips:
Ear shape:
Ear Orientation:
Flat/Concave
Pigmented
Present
Lyre
Medium
Narrow
Upward/Forward
Small
Coloured
Straight-edged
Lateral
THE TONGA BREED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
BODY
Body Frame:
Back profile:
Rump Profile:
Small
Hollow
Sloping
Hump: Hump Orientation
Hump Location
Dewlap:
Navalflap:
Legs:
Hoofs:
Erect
Cervico-thoracic
Small
Small
Medium
Dark
TAIL
Length
Thickness at the base
Colour of the tail switch
Long
Wide
Uniform(white,black,brown)
TONGA
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
Climatic conditions are those of low to
medium rainfall with hot dry season
particularly in the valley area.
Pure Tonga cattle are kept under traditional
extensive system, but of late it is common to
see partial supplementation being practiced
during the dry season by small scale farmers.
This breed is reared under Mopane,
Munga and Miombo woodlands with Acacia
being the dominant species in the valleys.
TONGA
NATURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT
Health management is concentrated on
eradication of Corridor disease which is
very prevalent in the area , and some
occasional outbreaks of Trypanosomiasis
and Foot and Mouth Disease.
Efforts to control these diseases are
directed at tick control through dipping
and spraying, tsetse eradication and
stock movement restrictions from
the disease affected areas.
THE BREED BAILA LOCAL
This group of cattle, according
to Maule(1960), with traces of
short horned Sanga (Tonga breed).
It is found in the Kafue flats
between Namwala and Mumbwa,
and also extending to the Lukanga
swamps where they are kept
by Sala and Lenje people.
THE BAILA BREED LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
THE BREED BAILA LOCAL
The climate is that of medium
rainfall and the vegetation
comprises open grasslands and
occasional Munga woodlands.
They are raised mainly under
transhumance systems of
production just like
the Barotse in Western Province.
THE BREED BAILA LOCAL
The challenge to health management
is the outbreaks of Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia and tick- borne diseases
such as Theileriosis,Babesiosis etc.,
which are difficult to control due to
difficulties in controlling stock
movements.
Involvement of communities to
control these diseases seem to be
succeeding
Breed Reference Name: BailaLocal
Synonyms:
Strain:
Mashukulumbwe (I)
Zambian
THE BAILA BREED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
COAT
Colour:
Hair type:
Hair length:
Multicolour (black,brown, Fawn ,red, RW, BW)
Straight
Short
HEAD
Face Profile:
Muzzle colour :
Horns:
Horn shape:
Horn length:
Horn spacing:
Horn orientation:
Ear size:
Colour of tips:
Ear shape:
Ear Orientation:
Concave
Pigmented
Present
Lyre
Long
Wide
Upward/Forward
Small
Coloured
Straight-edged
Lateral
THE BAILA BREED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
BODY
Body Frame:
Back profile:
Rump Profile:
Medium
Hollow
Sloping
Hump: Hump Orientation
Hump Location
Dewlap:
Navalflap:
Legs:
Hoofs:
Erect
Cervico-thoracic
Small
Small
Long
Dark
TAIL
Length
Thickness at the base
Colour of the tail switch
Long
Wide
Uniform(white,black,brown)
THE BREED BORAN
The Boran breed belonging to
the short horn group of Zebu cattle,
was imported from Kenya and is
predominantly owned by commercial
farmers along the line of rail, ie, from
Livingstone to Copperbelt.
The breed has adapted well to
the local environment.
Its performance is better than
other exotic breeds
when kept under similar management
THE BREED BORAN LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
THE BREED BORAN
The climatic conditions under which
Borans are found ,are characterized
by low rainfall in the south,
medium in the midlands and high
rainfall in the Northern parts
of Zambia.
Temperatures generally vary
from warm in November to April,
cool dry from May to August
and hot dry from September to
October.
THE BREED BORAN
The vegetation type ranges from
Miombo through Mopane to
occasional Munga woodlands.
Management is mostly under
intensive system of production.
The Boran herds are kept mainly
by commercial farmers and
a few small scale farmers.
Breed Reference Name:
Synonyms:
Strain:
Boran
Exotic
Breed Reference Name:
Synonyms:
Strain:
Boran
Exotic
THE BORAN BREED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
COAT
Colour:
Hair type:
Hair length:
Multicolour (fawn ,red, white, steel-grey)
Straight
Short
HEAD
Face Profile:
Muzzle colour :
Horns:
Horn shape:
Horn length:
Horn spacing:
Horn orientation:
Ear size:
Colour of tips:
Ear shape:
Ear Orientation:
Concave
Pigmented
Present
Straight
Short
Wide
Upward
Small
Coloured
Straight-edged
Lateral
THE BORAN BREED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
BODY
Body Frame:
Back profile:
Rump Profile:
Hump: Hump Orientation
Hump Location
Dewlap:
Navalflap:
Legs:
Hoofs:
lARE
Hollow /Staight
Sloping
Flopy
Thoracic
Large
Large
Medium
Dark
TAIL
Length
Thickness at the base
Colour of the tail switch
Long
Wide
Uniform(black, brown)
Relative growth and reproductive performance of
Barotse breed at the Central Research
Station of Mazabuka, Zambia (1966-1970)
Breed
Birth
Weaning Calving
Age at
weight weight percentage Maximum
kg
%
live
kg
weight
Angoni
22.9
147.3
82.5
7 years
Barotse 25.7
167.0
78.1
9 years
Boran
169.5
75.4
7 years
25.2
THE BREEDS OF CATTLE IN ZAMBIA
References
Felius, M. 1995. Cattle breeds: an encyclopedia. Doetinchem
(The Netherlands): Misset. 799 pp.
Hanotte O. Okomo M. Verjee Y. Rege J.E.O. and Teale A. 1997.
A polymorphic Y chromosome microsatellite locus in cattle.
Animal Genetics (UK). 28(4):318-319.
Mason I.L.,Maule J.P. 1960. The indigenous livestock of eastern
and Southern Africa.Common wealth Agricultural Bureaux.
Farnham Royal, Bucks, England.pp. 29.
Rege J.E.O. 1999. The state of African cattle genetic resources.
I. Classification framework and identification of threatened and
extinct breeds. FAO/UNEP Animal Genetic Resources
Information Bulletin 25:1-25.
Mwenya Benson: Field Guide of Zambian
Cattle Breeds,2007,MACO , Lusaka, Zambia
THE BREEDS OF CATTLE IN ZAMBIA
References
Thorpe W. and Cruickshank D.K.R. Thompson R. 1980. Genetic and
environmental influences on beef cattle production in Zambia.
1. Factors affecting weaner production from Angoni, Barotse and Boran dams.
Animal Production (UK). 30(2):217-233.
Thorpe W. and Cruickshank D.K.R. Thompson R. 1980. Genetic and
environmental influences on beef cattle production in Zambia.
2. Live weights for age of purebred and reciprocally crossbred progeny.
Animal Production (UK). 30(2):235-243.
Thorpe W. and Cruickshank D.K.R. Thompson R. 1980. Genetic and
environmental influences on beef cattle production in Zambia.
3. Carcass characteristics of purebred and reciprocally crossbred castrated males.
Animal Production (UK). 30(2):245-252.
Thorpe W. and Cruickshank D.K.R. Thompson R. 1981. Genetic and
environmental influences on beef cattle production in Zambia.
4. Weaner production from purebred and reciprocally crossbred dams.
Animal Production (UK). 33(2):165-177.
DAD-IS, 2005: http://dad.fao.org/en/home.htm
http://www.zod.wau.nl/genr/phd.html
http://www.odi.org.uk/pdn/papers/28c.pdf
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR YOUR ATTENTION