Prediction of birth weight using body measurements of local caprine population kids raised in a low-input breeding mode under arid environment.

The aim of this study is to establish linear measurements of local goat kids at birth and their factors of variation, as well as their possible correlations with birth weight. Additionally, the study analyses statistical models and barymetric functions to predict birth weight of kids based on their morphometric data. The database includes data on 128 goat kids born to 89 goats and 9 bucks in the experimental goat herd at the El GORDHAB station of IRA. Average BW, withers height (L1), heart girth (L2), rump height (L3), and body length (L4) of all kids were 2.45kg, 32.66cm,30.56cm, 33.41cm, and 31.21cm respectively. Results show that in general, local goat kids are small in size and weight at birth, which varies depending on sex, dam age, and type of birth. Highest and positive correlation coefficient value between birth weight and heart girth were observed (r = 0.95). The coefficient of determination (R2) for heart girth (0.78) was higher than other body measurements in single trait evaluation indicating it as the best trait for the predication of birth weight. The most appropriate combination of body measurements (R2 = 0.82) was observed between height at withers and heart girth for predication of birth weight estimation. Developing a system for recording birth weight based on easily obtainable body measurements could be a useful approach for rural areas. Result join the study objective by conceiving feasible genetic improvement plans for agropastoral herds by establishing individual phenotypes estimation even when the classical animal management does not already allowed.

The impacts of long-term intensive agriculture on the Vertisol properties in a calcareous region.

Morphological, physicochemical, and mineralogical properties of Vertisols (Chromic Calcixererts, Typic Haploxererts, and Typic Calcixererts) influenced under farming practices and adjoining uncultivated soils were investigated in order to contribute to the understanding of changes derived by intensive cultivation (over five decades). The study revealed that A-horizon thickness enhanced from 20 cm in the uncultivated soil to 30 cm in the cultivated soil for Typic Haploxererts and Typic Calcixererts. Under cropping, calcium carbonate contents decreased (a drop of 10 to 53%) reflecting accelerated leaching and/or erosion by cultivation. For most of the studied soils, a pronounced depletion was recorded at values of soil organic carbon (23-64%), soluble cations (4-96%), and exchangeable cations (9-42%) after cropping. A considerable positive change in soil quality was observed with cultivation as recorded by a declining trend in soil electrical conductivity (a drop of 12 to 17%) and exchangeable sodium percentage (a drop of 9 to 12%). On average, the concentration of free and crystalline Fe oxides progressively increased for Chromic Calcixererts and Typic Calcixererts following intensive cultivation. Cropping operations considerably promoted the alteration of illite and chlorite minerals into expandable minerals linked with changes in soil physicochemical properties mainly the increase in cation exchange capacity. Land productivity index (LPI), evaluated based on parametric approach, suggested that Chromic Calcixererts and Typic Haploxererts highlighted a decreasing trend in LPI values (a drop of 5 to 7%) while Typic Calcixererts manifested an increasing pattern in the index (a rise of 13%) with long-term intensive cropping.