Tariku Woldeyohannes1,2*, Simret Batsha2, Aberra Melese2
This paper reviewed cattle genetic improvement approaches for sustainable utilization, adaptation and conservation towards the changing climatic conditions. Livestock production is affected by climate change, which poses a greater threat to populations that rely on them for their overall food security. Climate change negatively affects the cattle production directly through impact on animal physiology, behavior and health and indirectly through affecting feed and water availability, quality and quantity of pasture, forage crops and rangeland as a result of increased temperature and droughts. Improvement of cattle genetic resources that are efficient and well adapted to extreme temperatures, low-quality diets and disease challenges is critical to deal with climate change. Changes in breeding strategies will facilitate to improve cattle breeds and increase their tolerance to dynamical climate. Breed replacement and unplanned crossbreeding with exotic cattle breeds without enough consideration of environmental conditions are the major factors contributing to the loss of locally adapted breeds and loss of certain adaptive traits. Maintenance of indigenous cattle genetic diversity, which underpins resistance to environmental stresses, is a valuable weapon for mitigating the possible effects of future climatic challenges. In contrast to traditional selection, genomic selection increases the accuracy of selection with the largest genetic gain, for the low heritability traits such as adaptability and reducing inbreeding. In conclusion, any breeding strategies should be precise and relevant in terms of breed suitability, performance and adaptability in the production environment and climatic stress to sustain cattle production.
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