5.1 General Conclusions
5.2 Gaps in Information
The information available from these countries on various aspects is scanty, and data need to be collected. Some aspects are detailed below:
5.2.1 Reproductive cycle
It has been observed that most breeds in the region breed round the year, while some breeds show considerable variations in breeding season and frequency of lambing. This inconsistency needs to be examined.
5.2.2 Lifetime performance
Data on sheep maintained in the experimental stations which have been reported in the literature refer to performance early in life. There are no data on lifetime performance. This vital aspect is not realized when comparing native breeds with crossbreds or new introductions. While some figures are available on lamb survival, the mortality figures over the years are not available. Changes in lambing percentage and wool production for native breeds with age are also not available.
5.2.3 Performance under village conditions
Lifetime performance needs to be compared in villages as well as on experimental farms. This information is not available.
5.2.4 Artificial management of crossbred and native
In most village conditions in Asia, whenever a crossbred is produced it is given special care, consequently the cost of production increases. The question which needs to be examined is whether a cost/benefit ratio on management would give this new crossbred introduction an advantage over the native if the special care did not exist. This information is vital for making any general recommendation on crossbreeding as a method of improvement.
5.2.5 Comparisons from available information
From the presently reported information, it is not always possible to decide whether the comparisons are contemporary or not. This is a basic defect with most of the data presented. Efforts need to be made to rectify this.
In most experiments native and crossbred have to be run concurrently, in the initial years of experiments. This comparison is available when crossbreds are being generated. Data on the natives are reduced as the crossbred groups are increased and the natives are eliminated, whatever the reasons, with the result that concurrent information on the natives is lost. This kind of design needs to be avoided if meaningful comparisons are to be made from which recommendations can be made to farmers.
5.2.6 Valuable traits of native breeds
Lists of genetic traits which are available from the point of view of conservation are difficult to make, but a few can be identified:
Adaptation: Most native breeds are adapted to harsh environments. When purebred exotics are introduced into these environments they generally do not survive. Halfbreds with exotics have shown increased production, but when concurrently left under village conditions the marginal increase is not large enough to justify the costs under the harsh environment. The crossbred survival is also difficult without proportionate input, which is generally not forthcoming.
High ovulation rate: A number of breeds from the Asian regions show high ovulation rate; particularly Javanese thin tailed sheep (JTT) and Bengal goats.
5.3 Recommendations
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