International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (IJFANRES)
Vol 6, No 2 (2025): Ij-FANRes

Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimation of milk traits of Abergelle goat in Ethiopia

Abebe, Yeshiwas Walle (Unknown)
Meberatie, Wossenie Shibabaw (Unknown)
Wondie, Zeleke Tesema (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
04 Jan 2026

Abstract

 Abstract—this study aimed to evaluate the production performance and genetic parameters of Abergelle goat milk traits in Addis Mender and Alquzu village, Wag-Himera, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Data on milk traits were collected from 2018 to 2023 by the Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Center from farmer-managed goats in scale-up villages. The General Linear Model (GLM) in SAS was used to analyze phenotypic traits, while Wombat software estimated genetic parameters and breeding values. Milk traits analyzed included daily milk yield (ADMY), 90-day lactation yield (LMY90 days), and lactation length (LL).Fixed effects considered were dam parity, year of kidding, and season. Mean values for ADMY, LMY90 days, and LL were 302.6±6.68 g, 28.003±47.45 kg, and 9.4±0.23 weeks, respectively. Heritability estimates for ADMY, LMY, and LL were 0.08±0.005, 0.16±0.034, and 0.04±0.34, while repeatability estimates were 0.50, 0.23, and 0.06, respectively. These findings show   moderate variation in milk production traits within the population, suggesting selection as an effective tool for genetic improvement. The study highlights the importance of repeated measurements and fixed effects in designing a genetic improvement program for Abergelle goats. Results provide valuable baseline data for enhancing milk production traits in this breed.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJFANRES

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry

Description

IJ-FANRes is an international and cross-disciplinary scholarly and scientific open access, open-source journal on the science and technology of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. Our aim is to encourage Professors, Researchers, and Students to publish their experimental and theoretical ...