On-Farm body measurements and evaluation of batur sheep on different age and sex in Banjarnegara regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Batur sheep is one of the Indonesian local sheep breeds which has the original geographical distribution in upland areas of Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia. This study was aimed to measure the body size of Batur sheep on different age and sex in smallholder farmers systems. This study was conducted in Batur District, Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia. Body measurements, including body weight (BW), body length (BL), chest girth (CG), height at withers (HW), ear length (EL), and tail length (TL), were collected from a total of 121 Batur sheep (16 youngmales, 40 young-females, 18 adult-males, and 47 adult-females). Data were analyzed using a completely randomized factorial design with age (young and adult) and sex (male and female) as the factors, and the One-Sample T-Test to compare with the standardization data of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia no. 2916/Kpts/ OT.140/6/2011. The results that age group (young and adult) exerted effect (P<0.05) on BW (64.65 vs 70.76 kg), CG (97.57 vs 105.49 cm), HW (61.02 vs 64.98 cm), LT (28.45 vs 32.03 cm), and BL (70.80 vs 73.80 cm). Sex (male and female) exerted effect (P<0.05) on BW (78.53 vs 63.79 kg), BL (79.12 vs 69.79 cm), HW (68.94 vs 60.88 cm), EL (10.60 vs 9.39 cm), and TL (33.83 vs 29.02 cm). No effect of interaction between age and sex on body measurements, except on BW and HW (P<0.05). The body size of adult Batur sheep kept by smallholder farmers was lower than (P<0.05) the standardization body size based on the data of the Ministry of Agricultural of the Republic of Indonesia. In conclusion, Batur sheep kept by smallholder farmers has been decreased body measurements compared to the standard size. It is necessary to improve the genetic quality and population of Batur sheep to maintain their quality and sustainability.