Mathematical evaluation of the relationships between some objective measurements and prices of breeding bucks and does in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Body size is one of the most important traits in the breeding objectives and marketing
of goats in sub-saharan Africa. This study aimed at determining objectively the
relationships between some morphometric measurements and the prices of breeding
bucks and does in Nasarawa State, north central Nigeria. Data were collected from a
total of 1,012 randomly selected live adult goats of both sexes covering the three
Nigerian indigenous breeds of goats [332 West African Dwarf (197 males and 135
females), 374 Red Sokoto (216 males and 158 females) and 306 Sahel goats (172
males and 134 females)]. The animals were sampled in Karu/Keffi and
Akwanga/Lafia markets. The traits measured were body weight (BW), chest
circumference (CC), scrotal circumference (SC) and udder circumference (UC)
including the determination of the price of each animal. General linear model
(GLM) was used to test the fixed effects of breed, sex and location including their
interactions on the body traits. Pearson's coefficients of correlation among the
various traits were computed. The prediction of price from body parameters was
done using stepwise regression analysis. The univariate analysis revealed that Sahel
goats had significantly (P<0.05) higher morphometric variables compared to other
breeds. They also commanded (P<0.05) highest price than the other two breeds. Sex
also influenced (P<0.05) all the body parameters with higher values recorded for
males, while there was no effect (P>0.05) of market location on the body traits.
Among the various interactions, only interaction between sex and location were
significant (P<0.05) on price. Coefficients of phenotypic correlation between the
traits were positive and significant (P<0.01), ranging from 0.55-0.98. Across all the
three breeds, CC appeared to be the best single measurement to determine the
prevailing market price of goat. The present information will be useful in
determining objectively the prices of goats to the advantage of the farmers, sellers
and consumers of meat including researchers who need this information to
determine selection index and policy makers for decision making