Abigar are a breed of

cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult mal ...

found in

Eastern Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territories make up Eastern Africa: Due to the historical ...

. They are classified as

Sanga cattle Sanga cattle is the collective name for indigenous cattle of sub-Saharan Africa. They are sometimes identified as a subspecies with the scientific name ''Bos taurus africanus''. Their history of domestication and their origins in relation to ta ...

. Although primarily

dairy cattle Dairy cattle (also called dairy cows) are cattle bred for the ability to produce large quantities of milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cattle generally are of the species ''Bos taurus''. Historically, little distinction was mad ...

, they are also slaughtered for their

beef Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus''). In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantity ...

. Cows produce approximately 750 kg of milk per lactation. The origin of Abigar cattle breed is found to be Gambella Regional State, especially the districts occupied by the Nuer people. The observed production & reproduction performance of the breed is promising under the prevailing stressful and challenging environment in the region. The Abigar cattle is said to be hardy animals in response to frequent disease outbreaks, drought and seasonal feed and water shortages and high temperature and heat loads. However, a gradually decreasing trend of Abigar cattle was reported in the study areas. Frequent disease outbreaks coupled with lack of veterinary service, lack of security, flood, cattle raiders, recurrent drought, rangeland degradation, illegal cattle marketing, seasonal feed and water shortages and lack of extension service were among the identified threats to the decreasing trend of the Abigar cattle in the study areas Animal genetics training resources Abigar page

References

Nakachew Minuye, 2011. Characterization of Abigar (Nuer) cattle breed in Gambella Region.LAP Lambert Academic Publishing Cattle breeds {{cattle-stub