Begayt cattle
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Country of originEthiopia
DistributionWestern Tigray
UseDraught, milk, meat (in that order)
Coatblack and white stained
| Country of origin | Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Western Tigray |
| Use | Draught, milk, meat (in that order) |
| Traits | |
| Coat | black and white stained |
| Horn status | medium |
| |
Begayt is an Ethiopian breed of cattle.[1][2] Currently there are ongoing cross-breeding programmes with Arado cattle, in an attempt to increase the milk production of the latter.
Ethiopia has been at a crossroads for cattle immigration to Africa[1][3] due to
- proximity to the geographical entry of Indian and Arabian zebu
- proximity to Near-Eastern and European taurine
- introgression with West African taurine due to pastoralism
Furthermore, the diverse agro-ecology led to diverse farming systems which, in turn, made Ethiopia a centre of secondary diversification[1] for livestock :
- The Sanga cattle originated in Ethiopia. They are a major bovine group in Africa – a cross-breeding of local long-horned taurines and Arabian zebus[3]
- The Begayt are one of the Zenga (Zebu-Sanga) breeds, which resulted from a second introduction and crossing with Indian zebu[3]