PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY CATTLE AS AFFECTED BY PARITY, UNDER SEMIINTENSIVE SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT IN NORTHEN PART OF NIGER

Abstract

Milk yield increases with age and parity until about sixth lactation. Multiparous cow produced 66-84% more milk than first calf heifer during early and late lactation. Thus, the study was conducted to access LL and yield of Friesian x Bunaji (F2) and Bunaji cows. The lactation records utilized consisted of 150 records on lactation length (LL) and total lactation yield (TLY) of Friesian x Bunaji (F2) that milked for about five years in National Animal Production Research Institute Shika-Zaria. The lactation records were separated into <100 days, 101-200 days of lactation length and lactation yield respectively. 29 records on lactation length (LL) and total lactation yield (TLY) of Bunaji for the first parity. The mean lactation length (MLL) obtained from this study for Fresian × Bunaji were very high compared to that of pure Bunaji, except for <100 days . The maximum LL for Friesian × Bunaji
obtained in the 1st parity down to the 3rd parity, were very high compared to that of pure Bunaji at 70 days. The mean total yield (MTY) for Friesian × Bunaji cows 204.36±40.3kg down to 910±163.65kg were high compared to pure Bunaji 63±5kg per year. The maximum total milk yield obtained for Bunaji was 39kg and lower compared to Friesian × Bunaji 583kg down to 647kg. MDY for Friesian × Bunaji cows across the parities were very large compared to that of pure Bunaji. Cross breeding of Friesian and pure Bunaji cattle in Shika was beneficial to high milk yield than our indigenous breeds. For dairy production our indigenous breeds e.g. Bunaji that has genetic traits of low milk yield should be cross with exotic breeds like Friesian, Jersey, and Guernsey etc for high milk yield. Lactation length should be extend in order to have more milk yield.