Begayt cattle
Begayt is an Ethiopian breed of cattle. Currently there are ongoing cross-breeding programmes with Arado cattle, in an attempt to increase the milk production of the latter.
Origin of the cattle breed
Ethiopia has been at a crossroads for cattle immigration to Africa 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
- 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
- The Begayt are one of the Zenga breeds, which resulted from a second introduction and crossing with Indian zebu
Threats on the cattle breed
- socio-political stresses: civil wars and recent urbanisation
- panzootic stresses: cattle plague
- environmental stresses drought and destruction of ecosystems
- extensive cross-breeding with Arado