Savanna Sire Effect on Birth to Weaning Kid Traits and Doe Reproductive Performance in a Subtropical Environment

The effects of Savanna sire breed on birth to weaning kid traits and doe reproductive performance in a subtropical environment were studied in two objectives. In Objective 1, Savanna (n = 15), Kiko (n = 12), Spanish (n = 10) sires were bred to produce Savanna × Kiko (n = 515) and Savanna × Spanish (n=396) meat goat kids. The kids were evaluated for breed effects on birth to weaning kid traits across five production years. Birth weights of kids from the Savanna × Kiko (p \u3c 0.001) and Savanna × Spanish diallels (p \u3c 0.01) resulted in Savanna sires produced heavier birth weights than the comparison breeds. Savanna sire breed did not have a significant effect on rates of average daily gain, weaning weight, or kid survival rates. Non-genetic factors such as sex, litter size and age of dam showed significance (p \u3c 0.05) across kid performance traits. For Objective 2, doe performance traits were evaluated using Savanna x Spanish (n = 383) and Savanna x Kiko (n = 464) doe exposure data. Weight and litter characteristics were evaluated for does and classified into breeding, kidding, and weaning populations. Savanna sires produced heavier litters (p \u3c 0.01) at birth across both study diallels. Savanna sire breed did not have a significant effect on kidding rate, litter size at kidding and weaning, and litter weight at weaning for the Savanna x Kiko and Savanna x Spanish diallels. Non-genetic factors, litter size and age of dam showed significant effects (p \u3c 0.05) across doe performance traits. While Savanna sires did positively influence litter and individual birth weights, the improved values did not sustain until weaning. Savanna-sired kids and does serviced by Savanna sires did not exhibit superior reproductive or preweaning performance in a low input management system