Increasing the knowledge of Bali cattle management - the key to maintain genetic variation and improve animal welfare

Sammanfattning: In Indonesia half of the 4.5 million households that keep livestock are small scale farmers. The most important cattle breed for these farmers is the Bali cattle, which is a dual purpose animal that is well adapted to demanding conditions. Small isolated populations and lack of knowledge about breeding have become a threat for the genetic diversity of the Bali cattle. Programs to promote the Bali cattle were established in the past but have not been successful. The main objectives of this project were to increase the knowledge of how Bali cattle are managed, suggest breeding strategies suitable for small scale farmers and how to approach the problem with a decreased genetic diversity. Furthermore, to provide Indonesian small scale farmers with information and tools to increase production, avoid inbreeding and maintain animal welfare. The project also aimed to obtain information concerning the breeding management and Indonesian farmers knowledge about breeding. This would also contribute to possibilities to increase animal welfare, ability to breed for desired traits and result in profit for the farmers. Animals from Bali, Sumatra, Lombok and Kalimantan were phenotyped in regards to; body length, height at whiters, chest girth, body weight, pelvic height, pelvic width and horn length. In addition, stature, color, fur and horns were also described. In total 94 animals >2 years of age were phenotyped and tail hairs were sampled from each individual for future preparations of DNA. Interviews were performed with the farmers on each location, 68 respondents in total. The interviews focused on management and breeding and revealed a lack of records and knowledge, but also a big willingness to learn more about breeding. The phenotypic measurements were analyzed to find potential correlations between measurements and location and ANOVA analyses showed whether or not the differences were significant. Abnormal colored, white spotted animals were compared to the standard colored ones and were smaller in all measurements and significantly differing in body weight. The genetics behind the differing color is still unknown, but the theory about the difference in weights was suspecting it to be due to inbreeding. The phenotypic record varying the most was horn length, both within, and between locations. Crossbreeding was popular and the breeds Simmental and Limousin were used frequently. Farmers stated that it was hard to get hold of pure bred Bali cattle and that the usage of Bali cattle for draught in the rice fields was decreasing. In combination with these statements, farmers selling the best animals and breeding on the poorer ones combined with an increased number of cross breedings can result in future threats for the genetic diversity of the Bali cattle.