Begayt cattle
Type of cattle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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 |
| |
Origin of the cattle breed
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]
Threats on the cattle breed
- socio-political stresses: civil wars and recent urbanisation
- panzootic stresses: cattle plague[4]
- environmental stresses drought and destruction of ecosystems[5]
- extensive cross-breeding with Arado