Effects of Location, Parity, Calving Interval and Calf Birth Weight on 305-Day Yield of Friesian and Crossbred Cows in Northern Nigeria
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Three hundred and nineteen (319) lactation records of 49 purportive sampled pure and crossbred Friesian cows were used to evaluate the effects of Calving Interval (CI), Calf Birth Weight (CBW), Parity and location of rearing on 305-Day Milk Yield. The results showed that Crossbred cows had higher Total- and 305-Day Milk Yield (305-DMY) than purebred Friesian cow. There was no significant effect of parity on Total- and 305-Day Milk Yield of Friesian cows, although the 305 milk yield nominally increased with parity. There was a significant increase (P<0.01) in the 305-day milk yield of crossbred cows with increased parity. The 305 DMY was better with longer Calving interval (11-14 months) than for lower calving interval in both Friesians and crossbred cows. The 305- Milk yield of Friesian and Friesian x Local cattle increased with calf birth weight. The effect of calf weight on 305- Milk yield was significant (P<0.01) for Friesian x Local crossbred cows. There was variation in the 305 DMY among the Friesians kept in the three locations, with the highest mean value recorded in Kano where fogger is used to mitigate the effect of climatic conditions. In the present study, although production environment depressed the 305-day milk yield of Friesian cow in Nigeria, the use of environmental modification such as the application of foggers and crossbreeding may help to improve the 305-day milk yield of cows.
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Proceedings of the 38th Annual National Conference of Genetic Society of Nigeria. K.O. Omokhafe, F. U. Ohikhena, E.A. Imoren, and O.I. Ajayi (Eds.). 67 – 69