Preweaning growth performance of West African shorthorn cattle and their Jersey crossbreds in Ghana

Abstract

Calf records on 621 West African Shorthorn (WASH) and 3 grades of Jersey x WASH crossbreds were analysed for the effects of the level of Jersey breeding and other factors on birth weight, 205-day weaning weight and average daily gain (ADG). Crossbred calves were significantly (P < 0.01) heavier at birth than purebred WASH and birth weights increased with increasing level of Jersey breeding. No significant differences were established for 205-day weaning weight, however ADG declined with increasing level of Jersey breeding suggesting possible problems of adaptation for calves of over 75% Jersey breeding. Age of dam effect was significant and linear (P < 0.0001) for birth weight and significant and quadratic (P < 0.01) for weaning weight and ADG, with values increasing from 3-year old dams to a peak in 7 year old dams.

Rumen degradation characteristics of sweet potato foliage and performance by local and crossbred calves fed milk and foliage from three cultivars

“…Similar, but slightly higher LWGs have been reported for indigenous calves (Pagot, 1992;Ogungbe and Adu, 1998). Furthermore, crossbred yearling cattle have been shown to gain more weight, over a specified period, than their purebred counterparts under similar conditions although, the negative impacts of the tropical environment sometimes affect their performance negatively (Ahunu et al, 1993). The overall LWG recorded for the calves in the trials were lower than the range from 295 to 525 g d − 1 average daily gains reported for preweaned calves by Messine et al (2004).…”

Animal production and genetic resources in Guinea Bissau: II–Tombali province

“…4a to e). Productive characterization of local animals is unknown but it is likely to be similar to results from other countries (Jaitner et al 2004;Jaitner et al 2003;Ahunu et al 1993;de Jode et al 1992;Njie and Agyemang 1991;Tuah and Danso 1985). Similarly to other regions of Guinea Bissau, cattle belong to a specific clan (morança) that owns and manages the animals.…”

Animal production and genetic resources in Guinea Bissau: I – Northern Cacheu Province

“…Productive characterization of local animals is unknown as most farmers are illiterate and do not have records. It is however expected to be similar to trypanotolerant cattle found elsewhere in West Africa (Jaitner et al 2003(Jaitner et al , 2004Ahunu et al 1993;de Jode et al 1992;Njie and Agyemang 1991;Tuah and Danso 1985).…”