N.M. WISSOCQ, R. BELL, J. DURKIN, G. GETTINBY, D.E. LIGHT, and J.C.M. TRAIL
Introduction
Ideas potential
Key for success
Impact of ideas in Africa
Conclusion
References
Relevant literature
Collection, analysis and utilization of data of a biological, technical and economic nature are indispensable prerequisites for increasing the productivity of livestock. The various livestock recording systems operated in many developed countries have contributed greatly to that goal. While in recent years there has been increasingly wide recognition and acceptance of the virtues of performance testing as an aid to genetic improvement in developing countries, there has been little demonstration of how, in practice, programmes can be implemented.
A lot of research is conducted on livestock production in Africa, but much of the information obtained remains unused because of the lack of a suitable data collection and analysis system in the national research programmes, many of which do not have access to large computers. Added to this, there is little consistency in the way in which the data are recorded, making combined analysis of data from more than one source a long and complicated process. Much information relates only to individual performance traits, collected in a piece-meal fashion, not suitable for integration into more meaningful indices of productivity. In many situations, a dam productivity index is a reasonable way of comparing different breeds.
ILCA reviewed the computer-based animal performance recording systems available on the world market but none met the requirements of African livestock research situations: the systems required too expensive, too large and too powerful computers and dealt with only one aspect of livestock production such as dairying.
Therefore, it was evident that a tool of major value in Africa would be a standardized, easy to use microcomputer based livestock performance recording system that would offer an integrated approach to recording and analyzing all biological facets of animal production operations. Moreover a performance recording system is only useful if it includes on-farm analysis facilities to give the most accurate estimate of the breeding value or genetic merit of an animal, relative to the others in a herd and to increase the efficiency of the farm management.
As a result the centre decided to develop its own micro-computerized recording and analysis program - IDEAS - to meet all the above requirements.
IDEAS (ILCA's Data Entry and Analysis System) is a micro-computer-based animal performance recording and analysis package that has been designed for use in livestock production research and development situations in Africa.
It is able to handle all important performance traits: reproduction, viability, growth, milk, wool, traction and their amalgamation into suitable indices of productivity for a range of animal species: cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses and donkeys. It provides facilities for recording climate, nutrition and management information that will allow biological interpretation of statistical output. With its ten interconnected databases, IDEAS offers an approach integrating all biological aspects of animal production.
IDEAS provides standardized database files for regional comparisons and national decision making.
IDEAS allows all information on an individual animal to be immediately accessible, such as Paternal Summary providing a summary of the weaning weight index of all the progeny of one sire, for all the herd or a selected identification range (Figure 1).
IDEAS allows the analyses on an individual farm to run to the point where all logical herd-level decisions can be made without having access to large computer facilities. Least-squares analyses handling up to nine main effects are built into the package to provide the most accurate information on which to base herd management decisions and to carry out comparisons between breeds, sire progeny groups, management regimes, supplementation levels, breeding strategies, etc. Currently analyses can be carried out on age at first parturition, first parity and subsequent reproduction, weaning and post-weaning weights, survival rate to weaning and to any post-weaning age, growth over any specified period, milk production and maternal productivity. The analyses attempt to estimate the effects of the most important environmental factors to allow the more accurate evaluation of individual performance and to contribute to improvements in management as the process highlights the values of the effects themselves. The effects that are evaluated in each analysis are listed in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Effects evaluated in least squares analyses variables.
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1 = Age at first parturition
2 = First parturition reproduction and litter size
3 = Subsequent reproduction and litter size
4 = Weaning weight
5 = Survival rate to weaning
6 = Weight at any post-weaning stage
7 = Survival rate to any postweaning stage
8 = Growth over any specified period
9 = Milk production (including yield, fat, etc.)
10 = Maternal productivity.
Analyses results can be used at both the herd and national levels: At herd level they are mainly used to arrive at the decisions on culling and replacement.
Culling of breeding cows is based on their productivity index combining their calving performance, the calf weaning weight and/or the milk production (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Combined productivity rankings.
Selection of replacement heifers to enter the breeding herds is based on their post-weaning weight index; selection of young bulls for sire replacement or for sale of breeding stock or for castration is based on their post-weaning growth (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Post-weaning weight rankings.
Additionally reports for herd management evaluation are prepared on overall production aspects at predetermined times.
At the national level, the aim is to evaluate the productivity of different breeds living under different management systems in different ecological zones and to build up comparative productivity information on important livestock groups in Africa. Then decisions can be made more easily when a breed has shown to be a constraint in a particular production system and questions can be answered as to the value of alternative genotypes for specific production systems in various ecological zones.
Using IDEAS standardized files for the exchange of data between recording sites and the central evaluation of the data, it is possible to evaluate relative productivities at a national level. When national livestock development projects are initiated, the measurement, through a recording scheme, of livestock productivity as a component in monitoring overall progress can be vital. In addition, with the data available from many sources in this standard form, already corrected within-site for specified environmental effects, it is relatively straight forward to obtain up-to-date, valid comparisons of breeds, to determine the effect of crossbreeding and to study any differential performance of breed types according to the area of the country where the animals are maintained. This enables logical decisions to be implemented on the breed types to be promoted by governments, for example through national AI services.
Successful performance recording systems require ease and rapidity of accurate collection, handling, analysis and use of records covering the period from birth to final disposal of the animals. IDEAS meets these requirements:
Accuracy: All economically important performance traits are recorded accurately in a standard format in accordance with the objectives they are to serve. Therefore the ten databases are designed for fixed standardized information. The system also performs many internal checks to ensure that the information entered is correct or within the range of values expected. However, IDEAS offers flexibility to give adaptability to user's requirements: non specific databases, free fields for recording data of user's choice, wide variety of ways for selection of animals whose performance is to be reported or analysed, interfacing facilities with other software for specific analyses.
Rapidity: Outputs need to be available at the time when decisions have to be made. Therefore instantaneous standard reports and on-the-spot analyses can be performed as and when desired on any performance traits of any group of animals.
Simplicity: IDEAS uses the abase III program language which allows interactive user-friendly database management. Menus and screen prompts are offered at every stage.
Within the reach of most animal research and production units: IDEAS runs on IBM XT/AT microcomputer or any compatible with at least one floppy diskette drive, 512kb of memory, a 10mb hard disk and a printer.
During an initial phase, 1986 - 1987, IDEAS was introduced in 66 national agricultural/development situations in 17 African countries: Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Since then 23 new requests from 14 African countries and 17 from outside Africa have been registered. Moreover, IDEAS was introduced through various training courses to 156 African scientists from 32 African countries and their inputs and suggestions canvassed. The training covered both the use of computers and the interpretation of statistical outputs.
ILCA maintains close links with users, evaluates progress on a continuing basis, undertakes software improvements as required by users, assists in the optimal use of IDEAS and is contributing to the continuous adaptation of IDEAS to African livestock production systems.
An improved version is currently being released and the impact of IDEAS on users is being assessed. Among the users a nucleus of very active animal scientists is now progressively growing. Examples of the importance of IDEAS for the livestock sector are its use for the rehabilitation or foundation of national performance recording centres in Tanzania (Mchau, 1987; Heifer Project Exchange, 1987), Burundi (Branckaert, 1987) and Kenya (Most, 1987).
The installation of IDEAS in so many national situations has highlighted the need to consolidate the links between users to allow optimal use of research on genetic resources throughout Africa. IDEAS has also demonstrated the need to strengthen national research/development organizations in Africa by the implementation of a standardized livestock performance recording system in extensive range management and village situations.
Through its widespread and active distribution in Africa IDEAS will contribute to strengthening and developing the livestock research and production systems of the continent and by introducing standardized methods to serve a common goal, it can form the basis of an effective network for the evaluation and utilization of animal genetic resources.
Branckaert, R. 1987. Burundi established network on small ruminants. ILCA Newsletter 6, No. 3.
The Heifer Project Exchange. 1987. Ideas, a microcomputer data recording system. No. 38.
Mchau, K.W. 1987. Dairy recording on small farms in the Mbeya region of Tanzania. ILCA Newsletter 6, No. 4.
Mosi, R.O. 1987. Personal communication.
Bell, R.J., D.E. Light, J.W. Durkin. - IDEAS: A Microcomputer Package for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Livestock Performance in African Production Situations - Volume 2: Technical Reference Manual. ILCA, May 1986.
Brumby, P.J., J.C.M. Trail. Animal breeding and productivity studies in Africa. ILCA Bulletin 23, January 1986.
Durkin, J.W., D.E. Light. - An integrated approach to recording and analysing biological facets of animal production. ILCA 1986 - The ILCA/ILRAD Trypanotolerance Network: Situation Report. December 1985. Proceedings of a network meeting held at ILCA Nairobi.
Franklin, I, J.W. Durkin - Current and future trends in computing. Standardization of cattle breeding data in Africa. ILCA, Addis Ababa, May 1985.
Franklin, I., J.W. Durkin, J.C.M. Trail - Standardization of cattle breeding data in Africa. ILCA, Addis Ababa, May 1985.
ILCA Annual Report 1985/1986 - IDEAS - A microcomputer-based animal recording system.
Peters, K.J. Evaluation of goat populations in tropical and subtropical environments. ILCA Bulletin 28, September 1987.
Trail, J.C.M., J.W. Durkin, D.E. Light. Extraction, handling, analysis and interpretation of production data. Standardization of cattle breeding data in Africa. ILCA, Addis Ababa, May 1985.
Trail, J.C.M., G. Gettinby - IDEAS: A Microcomputer Package for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Livestock Performance in African Production Situations - Volume l: An Introduction and Guide. ILCA, May 1986.
Trail, J.C.M., D.E. Light, R.J. Bell, J.W. Durkin and M. Hailu, ILCA work on databases in-Africa. FAO/UNEP Expert Consultation on Methodology for Animal Genetic Resources Data Banks. Rome, 17-21 June 1985.
