Aynalem Haile

Aynalem Haile

Principal Scientist - Small Ruminant Breeder/Country Coordinator - Ethiopia

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About Aynalem

Dr. Aynalem Haile has over 25 years of research and development experience in various national and international research and development organizations. He is currently a senior scientist, focusing on small ruminants within ICARDA’s office for sub-Saharan Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dr. Haile has authored or co-authored more than 190 publications in peer-reviewed journals and edited proceedings. He holds a Ph.D. in animal genetics and breeding.

Aynalem Haile's Publications

Community-based breeding programs and animal health interventions in the extensive production system of Ethiopia: a political economy and stakeholder analysis

Community-based breeding programs and animal health interventions in the extensive production system of Ethiopia: a political economy and stakeholder analysis

July 29, 2025 Journal Article

Estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth, reproductive, and survival traits of Bonga sheep using multi-variate animal model

Estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth, reproductive, and survival traits of Bonga sheep using multi-variate animal model

February 20, 2025 Journal Article

Impact of climate change on the productivity and adaptation of Ethiopia's Bonga and Menz sheep breeds

Impact of climate change on the productivity and adaptation of Ethiopia's Bonga and Menz sheep breeds

February 01, 2025 Journal Article

Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth traits in Menz sheep under community-based breeding programs

Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth traits in Menz sheep under community-based breeding programs

December 01, 2024 Journal Article

Response of maiden ewes to the ‘ram effect’ is a robust management practice and a candidate selection trait for enhanced reproductive performance in drylands

Response of maiden ewes to the ‘ram effect’ is a robust management practice and a candidate selection trait for enhanced reproductive performance in drylands

November 01, 2024 Journal Article

The impact of the herd health interventions in small ruminants in low input production systems in Ethiopia

The impact of the herd health interventions in small ruminants in low input production systems in Ethiopia

October 21, 2024 Journal Article

The Multifaceted Contributions of Community-Based Breeding Program of Bonga Sheep to Flock Dynamics, Animal Performance, and Socio-economic Benefits of Beneficiaries in Kafa Zone, Ethiopia

The Multifaceted Contributions of Community-Based Breeding Program of Bonga Sheep to Flock Dynamics, Animal Performance, and Socio-economic Benefits of Beneficiaries in Kafa Zone, Ethiopia

June 05, 2024 Journal Article

Whole-genome resequencing reveals genomic variation and dynamics in Ethiopian indigenous goats

Whole-genome resequencing reveals genomic variation and dynamics in Ethiopian indigenous goats

May 24, 2024 Journal Article

Reproductive characteristics of ethiopian indigenous sheep breeds in different production and management settings as inputs for selective breeding schemes: a review

Reproductive characteristics of ethiopian indigenous sheep breeds in different production and management settings as inputs for selective breeding schemes: a review

May 20, 2024 Journal Article

Evaluating Flock Dynamics, Offtake-rate, and Farmers’ Perception on Benefits of Community Based Breeding Program in Doyogena District, Central Ethiopia

Evaluating Flock Dynamics, Offtake-rate, and Farmers’ Perception on Benefits of Community Based Breeding Program in Doyogena District, Central Ethiopia

March 20, 2024 Journal Article

Reproductive performance and productivity of local and Dorper x local crossbred ewes under community-based management system, Ethiopia

Reproductive performance and productivity of local and Dorper x local crossbred ewes under community-based management system, Ethiopia

September 08, 2023 Journal Article

Using the community-based breeding program (CBBP) model as a collaborative platform to develop the African Goat Improvement Network—Image collection protocol (AGIN-ICP) with mobile technology for data collection and management of livestock phenotypes

Using the community-based breeding program (CBBP) model as a collaborative platform to develop the African Goat Improvement Network—Image collection protocol (AGIN-ICP) with mobile technology for data collection and management of livestock phenotypes

September 06, 2023 Journal Article

Effect of genotype and environment on the productive and survivability traits of lambs under a community-based management system

Effect of genotype and environment on the productive and survivability traits of lambs under a community-based management system

September 01, 2023 Journal Article

The African Goat Improvement Network: a scientific group empowering smallholder farmers

The African Goat Improvement Network: a scientific group empowering smallholder farmers

August 29, 2023 Journal Article

Marker-assisted introgression of fecundity mutation into Barbarine sheep breed under low input production system

Marker-assisted introgression of fecundity mutation into Barbarine sheep breed under low input production system

April 24, 2023 Journal Article

Understanding pastoralists’ preferences for goat traits: Application of all-levels and end-point choice experiments

Understanding pastoralists’ preferences for goat traits: Application of all-levels and end-point choice experiments

April 16, 2023 Journal Article

Genetic diversity and within-breed variation in three indigenous Ethiopian sheep based on whole-genome analysis

Genetic diversity and within-breed variation in three indigenous Ethiopian sheep based on whole-genome analysis

April 07, 2023 Journal Article

How to succeed in implementing community-based breeding programs: Lessons from the field in Eastern and Southern Africa

How to succeed in implementing community-based breeding programs: Lessons from the field in Eastern and Southern Africa

March 20, 2023 Journal Article

Going to scale—From community-based to population-wide genetic improvement and commercialized sheep meat supply in Ethiopia

Going to scale—From community-based to population-wide genetic improvement and commercialized sheep meat supply in Ethiopia

March 17, 2023 Journal Article

Agricultural resource and risk management with multiperiod stochastics: A case of the mixed crop-livestock production system in the drylands of Jordan

Agricultural resource and risk management with multiperiod stochastics: A case of the mixed crop-livestock production system in the drylands of Jordan

October 07, 2022 Journal Article

Whole-genome resequencing of Dorper and Hu sheep to reveal selection signatures associated with important traits

Whole-genome resequencing of Dorper and Hu sheep to reveal selection signatures associated with important traits

October 06, 2022 Journal Article

The efficiency of estrus synchronization protocols and artificial insemination in the Abergelle goat on-station and on-farm conditions of Northern Ethiopia

The efficiency of estrus synchronization protocols and artificial insemination in the Abergelle goat on-station and on-farm conditions of Northern Ethiopia

August 08, 2022 Journal Article

Analysis of genetic parameters and genetic trends for early growth and reproductive traits of Doyogena sheep managed under community-based breeding program

Analysis of genetic parameters and genetic trends for early growth and reproductive traits of Doyogena sheep managed under community-based breeding program

June 17, 2022 Journal Article

Genomic analysis of 10 years of artificial selection in community-based breeding programs in two Ethiopian indigenous sheep breeds

Genomic analysis of 10 years of artificial selection in community-based breeding programs in two Ethiopian indigenous sheep breeds

June 01, 2022 Journal Article

Genetic parameters and trends of growth traits in community-based breeding programs of Abera sheep in Ethiopia

Genetic parameters and trends of growth traits in community-based breeding programs of Abera sheep in Ethiopia

May 01, 2022 Journal Article

MicroRNA-181a Regulates the Proliferation and Differentiation of Hu Sheep Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells and Targets the YAP1 Gene

MicroRNA-181a Regulates the Proliferation and Differentiation of Hu Sheep Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells and Targets the YAP1 Gene

March 16, 2022 Journal Article

Genome variation in tick infestation and cryptic divergence in Tunisian indigenous sheep

Genome variation in tick infestation and cryptic divergence in Tunisian indigenous sheep

February 28, 2022 Journal Article

Optimizing breeding structures and related management in community-based goat breeding programs in the Borana pastoral system of Ethiopia

Optimizing breeding structures and related management in community-based goat breeding programs in the Borana pastoral system of Ethiopia

February 01, 2022 Journal Article

Genetic and economic evaluation of alternative breeding schemes for two indigenous goat populations of Ethiopia

Genetic and economic evaluation of alternative breeding schemes for two indigenous goat populations of Ethiopia

January 16, 2022 Journal Article

Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimates for early growth, growth rate and growth efficiency-related traits of Fogera cattle in Ethiopia

Phenotypic and genetic parameter estimates for early growth, growth rate and growth efficiency-related traits of Fogera cattle in Ethiopia

January 01, 2022 Journal Article

Three easy fixes for sire use can enhance genetic progress in community-based breeding programmes

Three easy fixes for sire use can enhance genetic progress in community-based breeding programmes

November 01, 2021 Journal Article

Estimation of co-variance components, genetic parameters and genetic trends of reproductive traits in community-based breeding program of Bonga sheep in Ethiopia

Estimation of co-variance components, genetic parameters and genetic trends of reproductive traits in community-based breeding program of Bonga sheep in Ethiopia

September 01, 2021 Journal Article

Welfare Impact of Community-Based Veterinary and Breeding Services on Small Ruminant Keepers

Welfare Impact of Community-Based Veterinary and Breeding Services on Small Ruminant Keepers

July 29, 2021 Journal Article

On-farm evaluation of growth and reproductive performances of Washera and Gumuz sheep in northwestern Ethiopia: Basics for setting up breeding objectives/ goals

On-farm evaluation of growth and reproductive performances of Washera and Gumuz sheep in northwestern Ethiopia: Basics for setting up breeding objectives/ goals

July 20, 2021 Journal Article

Ethiopian indigenous goats offer insights into past and recent demographic dynamics and local adaptation in sub-Saharan African goats

Ethiopian indigenous goats offer insights into past and recent demographic dynamics and local adaptation in sub-Saharan African goats

July 01, 2021 Journal Article

Converting multi-trait breeding objectives into operative selection indexes to ensure genetic gains in low-input sheep and goat breeding programmes

Converting multi-trait breeding objectives into operative selection indexes to ensure genetic gains in low-input sheep and goat breeding programmes

May 23, 2021 Journal Article

Estimation of (co)variance components, genetic parameters, and genetic trends of growth traits in community-based breeding programs of Bonga sheep

Estimation of (co)variance components, genetic parameters, and genetic trends of growth traits in community-based breeding programs of Bonga sheep

May 01, 2021 Journal Article

Genome-wide insights on gastrointestinal nematode resistance in autochthonous Tunisian sheep

Genome-wide insights on gastrointestinal nematode resistance in autochthonous Tunisian sheep

April 29, 2021 Journal Article

Phenotypic ranking experiments in identifying breeding objective traits of smallholder farmers in northwestern Ethiopia

Phenotypic ranking experiments in identifying breeding objective traits of smallholder farmers in northwestern Ethiopia

March 25, 2021 Journal Article

Identification of smallholder farmers and pastoralists’ preferences for sheep breeding traits: choice model approach

Identification of smallholder farmers and pastoralists’ preferences for sheep breeding traits: choice model approach

December 01, 2020 Journal Article

Estimates of genetic parameters and trends for reproduction traits in Bonga sheep, Ethiopia

Estimates of genetic parameters and trends for reproduction traits in Bonga sheep, Ethiopia

November 24, 2020 Journal Article

Field synchronization of Ethiopian Highland sheep for fixed time artificial insemination: improvement of conception rate with a double injection of prostaglandin at 11 days

Field synchronization of Ethiopian Highland sheep for fixed time artificial insemination: improvement of conception rate with a double injection of prostaglandin at 11 days

September 04, 2020 Journal Article

Evaluation of increased feed supply and different fattening strategies for an Ethiopian sheep population by system dynamics modelling

Evaluation of increased feed supply and different fattening strategies for an Ethiopian sheep population by system dynamics modelling

August 28, 2020 Journal Article

Productivity of Abergelle, Central Highland and Woyto-Guji goat breeds in Ethiopia

Productivity of Abergelle, Central Highland and Woyto-Guji goat breeds in Ethiopia

August 01, 2020 Journal Article

Community-based sheep breeding programs generated substantial genetic gains and socioeconomic benefits

Community-based sheep breeding programs generated substantial genetic gains and socioeconomic benefits

July 01, 2020 Journal Article

Individual variability among autochthonous sheep in Northern Tunisia to infection by abomasum nematodes and Babesia/Theileria parasites

Individual variability among autochthonous sheep in Northern Tunisia to infection by abomasum nematodes and Babesia/Theileria parasites

June 25, 2020 Journal Article

Characterization of the production system and breeding practices of indigenous goat keepers in Hai district, Northern Tanzania implications for community-based breeding program

Characterization of the production system and breeding practices of indigenous goat keepers in Hai district, Northern Tanzania implications for community-based breeding program

June 13, 2020 Journal Article

Coat color alterations over the years and their association with growth performances in the Menz sheep central nucleus and community-based breeding programs

Coat color alterations over the years and their association with growth performances in the Menz sheep central nucleus and community-based breeding programs

June 11, 2020 Journal Article

Scaling up community-based goat breeding programmes via multi-stakeholder collaboration

Scaling up community-based goat breeding programmes via multi-stakeholder collaboration

May 28, 2020 Journal Article

Increased number of large non‐atretic follicles and co‐dominance effects account for high litter sizes in Bonga sheep

Increased number of large non‐atretic follicles and co‐dominance effects account for high litter sizes in Bonga sheep

May 27, 2020 Journal Article

Genetic diversity, population structure and runs of homozygosity in Ethiopian short fat-tailed and Awassi sheep breeds using genome-wide 50k SNP markers

Genetic diversity, population structure and runs of homozygosity in Ethiopian short fat-tailed and Awassi sheep breeds using genome-wide 50k SNP markers

February 06, 2020 Journal Article

Production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers in northwestern Ethiopia: implications for community-based breeding programs

Production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers in northwestern Ethiopia: implications for community-based breeding programs

December 05, 2019 Journal Article

Genome‑wide scans identify known and novel regions associated with prolifcacy and reproduction traits in a sub‑Saharan African indigenous sheep (Ovis aries)

Genome‑wide scans identify known and novel regions associated with prolifcacy and reproduction traits in a sub‑Saharan African indigenous sheep (Ovis aries)

December 01, 2019 Journal Article

Community‐based breeding programmes are a viable solution for Ethiopian small ruminant genetic improvement but require public and private investments

Community‐based breeding programmes are a viable solution for Ethiopian small ruminant genetic improvement but require public and private investments

September 30, 2019 Journal Article

Genetic and economic evaluation of alternative breeding scenarios for community based productivity improvements of three indigenous goat breeds in Ethiopia

Genetic and economic evaluation of alternative breeding scenarios for community based productivity improvements of three indigenous goat breeds in Ethiopia

September 01, 2019 Journal Article

Community‐based breeding programmes are a viable solution for Ethiopian small ruminant genetic improvement but require public and private investment

Community‐based breeding programmes are a viable solution for Ethiopian small ruminant genetic improvement but require public and private investment

September 01, 2019 Journal Article

Genetic progress and economic benefit of community-based breeding programs for sheep out- and upscaling options in Ethiopia

Genetic progress and economic benefit of community-based breeding programs for sheep out- and upscaling options in Ethiopia

August 01, 2019 Journal Article

Risk Factors for Reproductive Disorders and Major Infectious Causes of Abortion in Sheep in the Highlands of Ethiopia

Risk Factors for Reproductive Disorders and Major Infectious Causes of Abortion in Sheep in the Highlands of Ethiopia

August 01, 2019 Journal Article

Indigenous knowledge, practices and preferences in control of gastrointestinal nematodes in Bonga and Horro sheep of Ethiopia

Indigenous knowledge, practices and preferences in control of gastrointestinal nematodes in Bonga and Horro sheep of Ethiopia

June 03, 2019 Journal Article

Livestock Genomics for Developing Countries – African Examples in Practice

Livestock Genomics for Developing Countries – African Examples in Practice

April 24, 2019 Journal Article

Productivity benchmarks for community-based genetic improvement of Abergelle, Central Highland and Woyto-Guji indigenous goat breeds in Ethiopia

Productivity benchmarks for community-based genetic improvement of Abergelle, Central Highland and Woyto-Guji indigenous goat breeds in Ethiopia

April 18, 2019 Journal Article

Identification of strategies to improve goat marketing in the lowlands of Ethiopia: a hedonic price analysis

Identification of strategies to improve goat marketing in the lowlands of Ethiopia: a hedonic price analysis

January 01, 2019 Journal Article

Lungworm infection in small ruminants in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Lungworm infection in small ruminants in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

August 23, 2018 Journal Article

Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth, reproduction, milk production and milk composition traits of Awassi sheep

Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth, reproduction, milk production and milk composition traits of Awassi sheep

June 29, 2018 Journal Article

Investigations into nematode parasites of goats in pastoral and crop livestock systems of Ethiopia

Investigations into nematode parasites of goats in pastoral and crop livestock systems of Ethiopia

March 01, 2018 Journal Article

Definition of smallholder Sheko cattle keepers’ breeding objectives through phenotypic ranking and choice experiments in Ethiopia

Definition of smallholder Sheko cattle keepers’ breeding objectives through phenotypic ranking and choice experiments in Ethiopia

February 22, 2018 Journal Article

GnRH and prostaglandin-based synchronization protocols as alternatives to progestogen-based treatments in sheep

GnRH and prostaglandin-based synchronization protocols as alternatives to progestogen-based treatments in sheep

December 31, 2016 Journal Article

Characterization of production system and breeding practices of sheep producers in Doyogena district, Southern Ethiopia

Characterization of production system and breeding practices of sheep producers in Doyogena district, Southern Ethiopia

December 29, 2016 Journal Article

Morphological characteristics and linear body measurements of Doyogena sheep in Doyogena district of SNNPR, Ethiopia

Morphological characteristics and linear body measurements of Doyogena sheep in Doyogena district of SNNPR, Ethiopia

December 01, 2016 Journal Article

Recording birth weight has no significance in village based genetic improvement programs of small ruminants

Recording birth weight has no significance in village based genetic improvement programs of small ruminants

August 01, 2016 Journal Article

Morphological and molecular genetic diversity of Syrian indigenous goat populations

Morphological and molecular genetic diversity of Syrian indigenous goat populations

May 04, 2016 Journal Article

Review of sheep crossbreeding based on exotic sires and among indigenous breeds in the tropics: An Ethiopian perspective

Review of sheep crossbreeding based on exotic sires and among indigenous breeds in the tropics: An Ethiopian perspective

March 14, 2016 Journal Article

Characterization of Indigenous Goat Populations in Selected Areas of Ethiopia

Characterization of Indigenous Goat Populations in Selected Areas of Ethiopia

June 17, 2015 Journal Article

Relative resistance of Menz and Washera sheep breeds to artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus in the highlands of Ethiopia

Relative resistance of Menz and Washera sheep breeds to artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus in the highlands of Ethiopia

April 15, 2015 Journal Article

Community‐based livestock breeding programmes: essentials and examples

Community‐based livestock breeding programmes: essentials and examples

April 01, 2015 Journal Article

Phenotypic characteristics and trypanosome prevalence of Mursi cattle breed in the Bodi and Mursi districts of South Omo Zone, southwest Ethiopia

Phenotypic characteristics and trypanosome prevalence of Mursi cattle breed in the Bodi and Mursi districts of South Omo Zone, southwest Ethiopia

March 01, 2015 Journal Article

Breeding programmes for smallholder sheep farming systems: II. Optimization of cooperative village breeding schemes

Breeding programmes for smallholder sheep farming systems: II. Optimization of cooperative village breeding schemes

October 31, 2014 Journal Article

Breeding programs for smallholder sheep farming systems: I. Evaluation of alternative designs of breeding schemes

Breeding programs for smallholder sheep farming systems: I. Evaluation of alternative designs of breeding schemes

October 31, 2014 Journal Article

Feasibility of pedigree recording and genetic selection in village sheep flocks of smallholder farmers

Feasibility of pedigree recording and genetic selection in village sheep flocks of smallholder farmers

June 30, 2014 Journal Article

Effect of genetic improvement of body weight on herddynamics and profitability of Ethiopian meat sheep: Adynamic simulation model

Effect of genetic improvement of body weight on herddynamics and profitability of Ethiopian meat sheep: Adynamic simulation model

March 27, 2014 Journal Article

Community based sheep breeding programs: Tapping into indigenous knowledge

Community based sheep breeding programs: Tapping into indigenous knowledge

December 01, 2013 Journal Article

Optimization of selection for growth in Menz Sheep while minimizing inbreeding depression in fitness traits

Optimization of selection for growth in Menz Sheep while minimizing inbreeding depression in fitness traits

June 19, 2013 Journal Article

Discordances between morphological systematics and molecular taxonomy in the stem line of equids: A review of the case of taxonomy of genus Equus

Discordances between morphological systematics and molecular taxonomy in the stem line of equids: A review of the case of taxonomy of genus Equus

February 01, 2012 Journal Article

Serial Translocation By Means Of Circular Intermediates Underlies Colour Sidedness In Cattle

Serial Translocation By Means Of Circular Intermediates Underlies Colour Sidedness In Cattle

February 01, 2012 Journal Article

Genetic And Phenotypic Parameter Estimates For Reproduction Traits In Indigenous Arsi-Bale Goats

Genetic And Phenotypic Parameter Estimates For Reproduction Traits In Indigenous Arsi-Bale Goats

December 13, 2011 Journal Article

Smallholder goat breeding and flock management practices in the central rift valley of Ethiopia

Smallholder goat breeding and flock management practices in the central rift valley of Ethiopia

December 11, 2011 Journal Article

Community-based alternative breeding plans for indigenous sheep breeds in four agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia

Community-based alternative breeding plans for indigenous sheep breeds in four agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia

October 15, 2011 Journal Article

Survivability of lambs under village management condition: The case around Jimma, Ethiopia

Survivability of lambs under village management condition: The case around Jimma, Ethiopia

April 01, 2011 Journal Article

Effects of strategic helminthosis control on age at first lambing and lambing interval of communally grazed Menz ewes in Ethiopia

Effects of strategic helminthosis control on age at first lambing and lambing interval of communally grazed Menz ewes in Ethiopia

January 01, 2011 Journal Article

Epidemiology of nematode parasites of sheep around Jimma, southwestern Ethiopia

Epidemiology of nematode parasites of sheep around Jimma, southwestern Ethiopia

June 01, 2010 Journal Article

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