Effects of weather variables on weaning weights and growth rates of Friesian x Bunaji heifer calves

Data consisting of birth weights at 3, 6 and 12 months records of 309 Friesian x Bunaji heifer calves born between 1980 and 1991 were analysed to determine the effects of weather variables on weaning weights and growth rates. Calves were raised by either bucket feeding or suckling methods. Under the bucket feeding system, calves were separated from the dams after 3-5 days postpartum and fed fresh whole milk until 3 months of age. They were moved to an outdoor herd and fed free-choice with concentrate and hay rations until they attained 6 months of age. The average calf weights at birth, 3, 6 and 12 months of age were 21.7 ± 0.27, 60.9 ± 0.9, 86.4 ± 1.3 and 134.0 ± 1.9 kg respectively. Average rainfall, relative humidity and temperature were 910.78 mm, 43.1 % and 24.6°C respectively. The relationships between these variables and weaning weights and growth rates were discussed

Phenotypic relationship between body weight and subsequent milk production of Friesian-Bunaji halfbreds

The study reported was conducted to investigate if fast growing heifers eventually become good milkers in a bid to assist dairy farmers in selecting their replacement stock at an early age. The data analysed consisted of body weight records at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age of half-bred Friesian-Bunaji heifers as well as records on their subsequent lactation length, total lactation yield and estimated 305-day yield, collected over a twenty-three year period (1967-1989). Phenotypic correlations between body weights at fixed ages were all positive and highly significant (P<0.01), ranging from 0.30 to 0.79. The same trend was obtained for correlations among milk traits, the range being 0.74 to 0.95. Correlations between body weights and milk traits on the other hand, were very low and non-significant, ranging from 0.01 to 0.14. Equations fitted from simple, multiple and polynomial regressions of body weights on total lactation yield gave very low R-squared values. It was therefore concluded that body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age have little value in the prediction of future milk yield of Friesian-Bunaji heifers

Semen characteristics of rabbit bucks fed linted and corticated cottonseed cake based diets supplemented with dietary vitamin E

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Effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on nutrient composition of diets and performance of Friesian x Bunaji heifers

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing varying levels of groundnut haulms (GH) on intake and growth performance of Friesian x Bunaji cattle. Four concentrate mixed diets formulated to contain on average 14.45- 14.65% crude protein. Groundnut haulms in the concentrate diets were on nitrogen basis at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels with control diet having 0% inclusion of GH. Twenty Friesian x Bunaji prepubertal heifers aged 14-16 months and weighing 160-180kg were randomly divided into four groups of five animals each and were allotted to the four experimental diets in a completely randomized design. Data were collected in order to determined Dry matter intake (DMI), Average daily intake (ADI), Average Daily Gain (ADG) Feed to gain ratio (FCE) and cost benefit analysis. Result showed that varying the levels of GH in concentrate diet significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased DMI at 25%; this value was similar (P&gt;0.005) to those at 0 and 50%. At 75% DMI of concentrate significantly declined. The ADG of heifers fed concentrate mixture containing 0% GH were significantly (P&lt; 0.05) higher; although, there was no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference between those fed 0 and 25%. Increasing GH level in concentrate diet to 75% depressed gain and ADG of heifers. Heifers fed 0 and 25% GH levels had similar feed to gain ratio but were significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower than those fed 50 and 75% levels. Net benefit declined across treatments with increased levels of GH in concentrate diet up to 50%, although they remained positive indicating it was beneficial replacing concentrate diet with GH. The net benefit of feeding GH at 0% GH (control) over 25% is ? 37384.9; 0% over 50% is ? 91084 and over 75% is ? 83246.60. It is concluded that GH supplementation on Gamba hay appears to improve the feed intake, growth and efficiency of concentrate utilization by heifers at 25% level and cost of concentrates in heifers generally

Effect of diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on Dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and Nitrogen balance of Friesian x Bunaji Bulls

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing varying levels of groundnut haulms on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and nutrient balance in Friesian x Bunaji bulls. The feed consisted of four concentrate mixed diets formulated to contain on average 14.45- 14.65% crude protein. Groundnut haulms (GH) in the concentrate diets were on nitrogen basis at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels with control diet having 0% inclusion of GH. Sixteen bulls aged 12-18months were divided into four each and were randomly allotted to the four treatment diets in a completely randomized design for metabolic trial. During trial, the bulls were housed in metabolic crates and fed Gamba hay adlib and the basal or particular test concentrate mixture at 40% of estimated DM intake. Chemical composition and energy contents of the diets were determined. Dry matter intake (DMI) and organic matter intake (OMI) were also determined. The CP value averaged 14.45±0.44 - 14.65±1.22% for the four experimental diets. The metabolizable energy content expressed in Kcal/kg of diets decreased with increase in GH level from 0-75% (3166-1752 kcal/kg). There was no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference on voluntary DMI and OMI. The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and ash were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher at 75% level of groundnut haulms. CF and ADF digestibility were significantly influenced (P&lt;0.05) when groundnut haulms level reached 25%. Conversely, the digestibility of NFE did not differ (P&gt;0.05) across treatments. Nitrogen balance were similar (P&gt;0.05) among animals fed concentrate mixtures. Nitrogen balance expressed in percent was slightly higher at 75% level of groundnut haulms. It is concluded that inclusion of GH in concentrate diets of crossed bulls up to 75% can improve nutrient digestibility and the percent Nitrogen balance

Haematological and biochemical profile of Friesian x Bunaji heifers supplemented with inorganic selenium and vitamin E

A study was conducted using twenty Friesian x Bunaji heifers to evaluate the effect of supplementing inorganic feed grade Selenium and Vitamin E&nbsp; on the haematological and biochemical profile. The study consists of four treatments with five animals per Treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Treatment 1 served as Control without Selenium or Vitamin E supplementation. Treatment 2 was supplemented with 3 mg of feed&nbsp; grade Selenium. Treatment 3 with 20 mg of feed grade Vitamin E. Treatment 4 had a combination of 3 mg feed grade Selenium and 20 mg of Vitamin E. Two sets of blood samples were taken from the animal via jugular venipuncture using a 10 mL syringe fitted with a needle into sample bottles for haematological and biochemical analysis. Neutrophils (19.78 - 29.88%) were similar (p&lt;0.05) and Se supplementation recording the&nbsp; highest value. Packed cell volume (19.14 – 22.22%), Haemoglobin, Red blood cells, White blood cells, Eosinophil, Monocytes, Basophil and Lymphocytes analyzed were similar (p&gt;0.05). It was observed that there were similarities (p&gt;0.05) in Glucose, Serum protein, globulin, urea N,&nbsp; albumin, MDA protein, AST, ALT and ALP analyzed except for GSH-Px (22.38 – 24.70 μ/ml). Glutathione peroxidase was higher (p&lt;0.05) in Friesian x Bunaji heifers supplemented with vitamin E and lowest with no supplementation. All parameters analyzed were within the normal range for apparently healthy cattle thereby suggesting that Selenium and Vitamin E as antioxidant are effective in scavenging for free radicals and reducing oxidative damage. Keywords; Haematology, Biochemical, Selenium, Vitamin E, Friesian x Bunaj

Influence of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit pulp meal on semen characteristics and morphology of rabbit buck during hot season in Nigeria

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of baobab fruit pulp meal on semen characteristics and morphology of rabbit bucks during hot season in Nigeria. A total of 25 bucks of 10-12 months old were used. There were five (5) rabbits per group grouped as follows; T (control) and T -T (Diets with graded levels of baobab fruit pulp meal BFPM at 1 2 5 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5% inclusion levels). The experiment lasted for nine weeks. All managerial practices were duly observed. Semen was collected with the help of artificial vagina, and the semen samples were evaluated for  ejaculate volume (ml), semen pH, semen colour, sperm motility (%) and sperm concentration (x 106 /ml). Sperm morphological parameters evaluated were live cells, dead cells, normal sperm, free tail and coil tail. It was observed from this study that 4.5% inclusion of baobab fruit pulp meal significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced semen volume, colour, motility, pH and concentration compared to 5.5% inclusion level and was similar to 2.5% and 3.5% inclusion levels, respectively. The treatment with 4.5% BFPM also significantly (P&lt;0.05) improved the number of live cells (74.38%), reduceddead cells (25.62%) and increased number of normal cells (77.71%) compared to 65.67, 34.33, and 60.67% recorded by the control for live cells, dead cells and normal cells, respectively. This study revealed that 4.5% inclusion of BFPM improved semen quality during hot season.Keywords: Baobab fruit pulp; heat stress; semen qualit

Milk yield losses and cost of clinical mastitis in Friesian × Bunaji crossbred dairy cows in Zaria, Nigeria

Bovine mastitis is regarded as the most costly disease of dairy cows. Estimating its economic impact therefore gives farmers and veterinarians an insight into the costs of the disease at herd level and helps them make appropriate decisions regarding its control. The aim of this study was to determine the costs of clinical mastitis in Friesian × Bunaji crossbred dairy cows. Passive data collected between 2000 and 2015 was retrieved from the Dairy Research Programme of the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria and this was used to determine the input parameters for a simulation model. The parameters included the lactation and seasonal prevalence of clinical mastitis, average daily milk yield of cows, average illness period and the proportion of cows in each parity. Stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation modelling of milk yield losses due to clinical mastitis was done using Microsoft® Excel with @Risk 7 add-in. The cost of a case of clinical mastitis at a base risk incidence of 35.2% was ₦5,005.85 ($15.87). The costs increased by 7.5% in a herd with 10% higher milk yield, while revenue generated was higher by 10.2%. The cost was 1.64% higher in a herd with fifty per cent of it cows in first parity than a herd with fifty per cent of its cows in third parity. 1.01% higher net revenue was generated from herds with fifty per cent of it cows in third parity than the herd with fifty per cent of its cows in first parity. Improving milk production potential of cows resulted in more cases of clinical mastitis, although the increase in revenue overshadows the added costs of clinical mastitis, successful control of mastitis will also significantly reduce production costs and improve the farm revenue.Keywords: Clinical mastitis, Cost, Cows, Friesian x Bunaji, Losses, Milk yiel

Hypotheses on inland valley development for smallholder dairy production in three West African countries Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Nigeria

A set of pre-formulated hypotheses about the potentials of inland valleys to agricultural production in general, and livestock (dairy) - based enterprises in particular, were tested with data collected from five regions comprising 71 villages/towns and 630 households in three countries (Nigeria, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire). The study was undertaken to test hypothesis concerning the potentials of the inland valleys systems to agricultural production, and those pertaining to the intensification of livestock production in the valleys systems and their relationships with demand for livestock (dairy) products. Results from the analysis showed that many of the previously held views about inland valley and their potential were supported by the data from the three countries. Most of the hypotheses relating directly with inland valley potentials were accepted in the majority of locations. However, there were few hypotheses which were not supported by data from all countries and study sites. The overall assessment from the surveys is that the potentials of the inland valleys towards dairy production are currently good in all the countries and could be better if the resources available in the inland valley environments (for example crop residues) are better managed and utilized. Intensive use of inland valleys was related more to population density than access to market. Similarly consumption levels of domestic dairy products were influenced by population concentration. Instead access to market influenced positively farmers' practices towards specialization and intensification of dairy production. Increase demand for milk and dairy products is met by intensification and not by increase in herd size. Efforts to ensure continued milking through feeding was not related to herd size. As revenues (sales and home consumption) increased, more lands were left to fallow. These results confirm the assertion that the presence of inland valley systems for cropping and livestock rearing promotes diversification of agriculture, and presumably reduces farmers' production risks