Reproductive Performance and Management of Three Breeds of Cattle under Major Constraints in Extensive Management
Article Sidebar
PDF downloads: 196
XML-PubMed downloads: 9
XML-DOAJ downloads: 12
XML-Crossref downloads: 13
Crossref Citations: 0
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: The reproductive performance and management of three cattle breeds under extensive management study was investigated due to a lack of baseline data for animal husbandry practices and planning breeding programs in the study area. This study evaluated the productive and reproductive performance, feed resources, feed management, and major constraints of three breeds of cattle (White Fulani, Sokoto Gudali, and Red Bororo) production under an extensive system in Northern Nigeria.
Materials and methods: A structured questionnaire survey and group discussion were used for collecting data. 60 farmers with 30 years of experience in cattle farming were selected to administer the questionnaire. Each breed (White Fulani, Sokoto Gudali, and Red Bororo) was grown by 20 farmers.
Results: The results indicated that 70% of the farmers agreed with the first service at the age of 2.3-3 years in the three breeds. The first calving at the age of 3.3-4 years was 40% for White Fulani farmers, while 80% for Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo farmers respectively. The calving interval in the range of 1-2 years was adequately observed in all three breeds. The age of 13-15 years was reported as the female reproductive period in this study. The total number of calves produced per cow's lifetime in the present study was estimated at 8-11 for White Fulani and Sokoto Gudali, and 4-7 for Red Bororo. Feed resources and management of three breeds of cattle under extensive management indicated that natural pasture was the most common source of feed for cattle in the rainy season. Besides, natural pasture, tree leaves, and shrubs were used as cattle feed in the dry season. The main cattle production constraints reported by the farmers included feed and water in the study area. However, the breeds could survive and produce under these major constraints.
Conclusion: Alleviating these constraints could improve the productivity of White Fulani, Sokoto Gudali, and Red Bororo in their natural environment.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Mamabolo MJ, and Webb EC. Goat production survey - fundamental aspects to model goat production systems in Southern Africa: Case study - Agricultural Commission; 2005. p. 1-8.
Powell JM, Pearson RA, and Hiernaux PH. Review and interpretation. Crop-livestock interactions in the West African Drylands. Agron J. 2004; 96: 469-483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2004.4690
Heinke J, Lannerstad M, Gerten D, Havlík, P, Herrero M, Notenbaert AMO et al. (2020). Water use in global livestock production—Opportunities and constraints for increasing water productivity. Water Resources Research, 56, e2019WR026995. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR026995
Bossio D. Livestock and water: Understanding the context based on the compressive assessment of water Management in Agriculture. Rangel J. 2009; 31(2): 179-186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ09001
Mindu JW, Mindu, Bhujel PK, and Wangchuk S. Productive and reproductive performance of dairy cattle and their crossbreds in Bhutan. Colombia: CIPAV Foundation; 2014; 26(10): 181.
Islam SKMA, Zhoque MA, Alam MR, Hassan MM, and Rahman MA. A cross-sectional study on production performance of stall-fed dairy cattle at central cattle breeding station (CCBS), Savar,
Dhaka. Bangladesh J Vet Med. 2006; 4(1): 61-63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v4i1.1527
Dematawewa CMB, and Beger PJ. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for 305-day yield, fertility, and survival in holsteins. J Dairy Sci. 1998; 81: 2700-2709. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75827-8
Mukasa-Mugerwa E. A review of reproductive performance of female Bos Indicus (Zebu) cattle. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: International Livestock Centre for Africa; 1989. Available at: https://go.rovedar.com/94c
Chukwuka OK, Okoli IC, Okeudo NJ, Opara MN, Herbert U, Ogbuewu IP et al. Reproductive potentials of West African Dwarf sheep and goat: A review. Res J Vet Sci. 2010; 3: 86-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/rjvs.2010.86.100
David Molden, Theib Oweis, Pasquale Steduto, Prem Bindraban, Munir A. Hanjra, and Jacob Kijne. Improving agricultural water productivity: Between optimism and caution, Agricultural Water Management. 2010.97(4); 528-535. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.03.023
Kassam A, Kueneman E, Kebe B, Ouedraogo S, and Youdeowei A. Enhancing crop-livestock systems in conservation agriculture for sustainable production intensification: A farmer discovery process going to scale in Burkina Faso. Italy: FAO; 2009. 7: 2-49. Available at: https://www.fao.org/3/i1437e/i1437e.pdf
Mutibvu T, Maburutse BE, Mbiriri DT, and Kashangura MT. Constraints and opportunities for increased livestock production in communal areas: A case study of Simbe, Zimbabwe. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2012; 24(9): 165. Available at: http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd24/9/muti24165.htm
Adamu L, Igwebuike JU, Kwari ID, and Aliyu J. Utilization of Prosopis Africana pulp for Rabbit feeding: Effects on growth and economic performance. Glob J Pure Appl Sci. 2013; 19: 1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/gjpas.v19i1.1
International livestock research institute annual report (LRI). ILRI humid zone programme, Ibadan, Nigeria; 1995. Available at: https://www.ilri.org/index.php/where-we-work/west-africa/nigeria
Olafadenhan OA, and Adewum MK. Livestock management and production system of agropastoralists in the derived savanna of South-west Nigeria. Trop Subtrop Agroecosystems. 2010; 12: 685-691. Available at: https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/939/93915170027.pdf
Giday Y. Assessment of calf crop productivity and total herd life of Fogera cows at Andassa ranch in North-Western Ethiopia. MSc Thesis, Alemaya University, Alemaya, Ethiopia; 2001.
Zewdie W. Livestock production systems in relation with feed availability in the highlands and central Rift Valley, MSc. Thesis submitted to the School of Animal and Range Sciences, School of Graduate Studies, Haramaya University, Ethiopia; 2010.
Mulugeta A, and Belayeneh A. Reproductive and lactation performances of dairy cows in Chacha Town and nearby selected kebeles, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2013; 1(1): 8-17. Available at: https://www.scinapse.io/papers/2183449183
Ayalew H, Chanie D, and Lamesegn D. Review on productive and reproductive performance of indigenous dairy cattle breeds under 'farmer's management practices in Ethiopia. Online J Anim Feed Sci. 2018; 8(6): 169-174. Available at: https://www.ojafr.ir/ main/attachments/article/137/OJAFR%208(6)%20169-174,%202018.pdf
Robert SJ. Veterinary obstetrics and genital diseases. 3rd ed. Michigan: Edwards' Brothers, Inc; 1986. p. 48-104. Available at; https://vetbooks.ir/veterinary-obstetrics-and-genital-diseases-3rd-edition
Esslemont RJ. Relationship between herd calving to conception intervals and culling rate for failure to conceive. Vet Rec. 1993; 133: 163-164. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.133.7.163
Arbel R, Bigun Y, Ezra E, Sturman H, and Hojman D. The effect of extended calving intervals in high-yielding lactating cows on milk production and profitability. J Dairy Sci. 2001; 84: 600-608. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)74513-4
Swai ES, Bryant MJ, Karimuribo ED, French NP, Ogden NH, Fitzpatrick JL et al. A cross-sectional study of reproductive performance of smallholder dairy cows in coastal Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2005; 37: 513-525. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-1218-x
Terefe E, Dessie T, Haile A, Mulatu W, and Mwai O. On-farm phenotypic characterization of Mursi cattle in its production environment in south Omo zone southwest Ethiopia. Anim Genet Resour. 2015; 57: 15-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S2078633615000132
Tolera A, and Abebe A. Livestock production in pastoral and agropastoral production systems of southern Ethiopia. Livest
Res Rural Dev. 2007; 19(12): 177. Avialble at: https://www.lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd19/12/tole19177.htm
Lukuyu BA, Kitalyi A, Franzel S, Duncan A, and Baltenweck I. Constraints and options to enhancing production of high quality feeds in dairy production in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda ICRAF Working Paper no. 95. Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry Centre; 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5716/WP16449.PDF
Francis J, and Sibanda S. Participatory action research experiences in smallholder dairy farming in Zimbabwe. Livestock Research for
Rural Development. 2001; 13(3): 24. Available at: https://www.lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd13/3/fran133.htm