Milk Yield and Composition of Dairy Cattle During Dry Season in Selected Dairy Farms in Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the milk yield and composition of dairy cattle of different locations during dry season in selected dairy farms in Kano state. One hundred and twenty lactating cows (different stages of lactation) include Bunaji, Bokoloji, Fresian x Bunaji were used, ten from each twelve dairy farms to assess milk yield and composition. Daily milk yield was recorded for two months. Five milk samples from each farm were analysed for its composition. Danbatta farm was the best in average daily milk yield (ADMY) of 3.86l, Dantube farm was the lowest of 2.49l which differ (p<0.001), Imawa arewa, Asibitin tafasa and Lautaye farms didn’t vary other farms differ. Fat(%) did not vary in all the farms, TS(%) Total solid, TA(%) Titrable acidity, CP(%) Crude protein, Ash(%), SNF(%) Solid non fat differ (p<0.001). Tsaunin fulani farm was the best in Fat(%) 4.26, Asibitin tafasa farm was the lowest of 3.84. Lautaye was the best in TS(%) 57.2, Dakatsalle was the lowest of 38.8. Imawa arewa was the best TA(%) of 0.38, Dakatsalle, Kuki and shinkafi farms are the lowest of 0.29. Imawa arewa, Danbatta and Kwanar dumawa farms are the best in CP(%) 4.24, Kuki farm was the lowest of 3.46. Dantube farm was the best in Ash(%) of 0.54, Dakatsalle, Kuki are the lowest of 0.32. Lautaye was the best in SNF(%) 52.96, Dakatsalle farm was the lowest of 34.6. Fat(%) differ (p<0.05), TS(%) (p<0.001) among the breeds while their ADMY, TA(%), CP(%), Ash(%), SNF(%) did not vary. Bunaji was the best in Fat(%) of 4.22, TS(%) 50.2, SNF(%) 45.74 with ADMY of 2.74l. Fresian x Bunaji was superior in CP(%) 4.24, lowest in Fat(%) 3.88, Ash(%) 0.44, TS(%) 39.2, SNF(%) 35.32 with the best ADMY of 4.01l. Bokoloji was superior in Ash(%) of 0.47 lowest in TA(%) 0.31 with ADMY of 2.67l. Therefore, Danbatta farm, Fresian x Bunaji with the best milk yield, Tsaunin fulani farm with the best Fat(%), Lautaye farm TS(%), Imawa arewa TA(%), Imawa arewa, Danbatta and Kwanar dumawa farms CP(%), Dantube farm Ash(%), Lautaye farm SNF(%), Bunaji breed with the best Fat(%), TS(%), TA(%), SNF(%), Bokoloji breed Ash(%), Fresian x Bunaji CP(%) was recommended. Milk yield and composition varied between dairy breeds, herds of the same breed and even between individual cows of a breed.

Relationship between Milk Yield and Udder Morphology Traits in White Fulani Cows

“…Milk yield was substantially higher than the mean yields of 1.71 ± 0.41 kg and 1.35 ± 0.55 kg reported for Red Bororo by Abubakar et al [11] and Abbaya et al [10]. Similarly, it was higher than the average milk yield of 1.83 ± 0.29 kg [11], 2.67 kg [9], and 1.66 ± 0.43 [10] reported for Sokoto Gudali. However, it was smaller than the 4.01 kg reported for the Friesian × White Fulani cross [9].…”

“…Similarly, it was higher than the average milk yield of 1.83 ± 0.29 kg [11], 2.67 kg [9], and 1.66 ± 0.43 [10] reported for Sokoto Gudali. However, it was smaller than the 4.01 kg reported for the Friesian × White Fulani cross [9]. The milk yield of the White Fulani was lower than that of the Holstein Friesian, which is usually considered a yardstick for dairy performance.…”

“…The overall mean ± standard error for TDMY was 3.853 ± 0.009 kg. The mean TDMY was higher than the mean daily milk yields of 3.54 ± 0.02 kg, 2.18 ± 0.24 kg, 2.74 kg, 1.92 ± 0.55 kg, and 2.96 kg from single milking obtained for the White Fulani by Bala et al [27], Abubakar et al [11], Shitu et al [9], Abbaya et al [10], and Osman et al [8]. The wide variation in milk yield is probably a factor of population, and the higher yield observed in the current study can be attributed to the environment, including the climate, considering that the current study was performed in the south-western part of Nigeria, which has a cooler climate, whereas studies by the other authors were performed in the northern part of the country, which has a hotter climate.…”

“…The White Fulani make up about 37.2% of the cattle population in Nigeria. It has an average milk yield ranging from 1.92 to 2.96 kg per lactation [7][8][9][10][11]. Although it rates low by world dairy standards, when compared to other indigenous breeds such as the Red Bororo (Rahaji) and Sokoto Gudali (Bokoloji), it ranks high in milk production [9][10][11][12].…”

“…It has an average milk yield ranging from 1.92 to 2.96 kg per lactation [7][8][9][10][11]. Although it rates low by world dairy standards, when compared to other indigenous breeds such as the Red Bororo (Rahaji) and Sokoto Gudali (Bokoloji), it ranks high in milk production [9][10][11][12]. There is a future for this breed as a global dairy cattle, as indicated in studies by Epstein [13], Petit [14], and Queval et al [15], suggesting a common heritage in evolutionary history with the taurine Dairy 2023, 4 cattle, different from the typical zebu.…”