Evaluation of forage legume Lablab purpureus as a supplement for lactating Bunaji cows

The effects of forage legume lablab (Lablab purpureus) as a supplement for Bunaji cows was investigated both on-station and on-farm. The results of the on-farm trial involving five herds in each of two villages (control and supplemented) showed that supplementation with 3 kg of lablab increased milk off-take significantly (P<0.001) (1.27±0.09 vs. 0.71±0.1 kg per cow/day for supplemented and non-supplemented cows, respectively). Cows in the supplemented group showed a higher gain in body weight compared to non-supplemented animals (411±1.4 vs. 127±1.8 g/day respectively). They also showed a higher (P<0.001) body condition score than those in the non-supplemented group (3.5-4.5 vs. 2.0-3.5). Overall mean weight gain for calves was however, similar for both supplemented and non-supplemented groups (428±5.3 vs. 428±1.5 g/day). Supplementation of suckling Bunaji cows with lablab improved the performance of the animals and the income of the farmers

Assessment of rectal palpation as a technique for the detection of Corpora lutea and estimation of the stage of pregnancy in Zebu cows

No Abstract

Estimate of genetic and phenotypic parameters for litter size and weaning weight in Yankasa sheep.

Data on 964 and 1150 weaning weight and litter size records respectively, collected over a 10-year period on Yankasa Sheep breeding project at the National Animal Production Research Institute (N.A.P.R.I.), Zaria, were used in this study. The analysis was for estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for litter size and weaning weight in Yankasa sheep. Estimates of heritability for litter size and weaning weight were obtained from paternal half sib intraclass correlation. The genetic and phenotypic relationship between the litter size and weaning weight were estimated from the covariance and variance components or the two traits. Least squares means of 1.18±0.02 and 10.67 ±0.11 were obtained for litter size and weaning weight, respectively. Heritability (h2) estimates or 0.18±0.07 and 0.63±.0.01 were obtained, respectively for litter size and weaning weight. Genetic and phenotypic correlations of -0.83±0.052 and 0.23±0.094 respectively, were obtained, between weaning weight and litter size.Key words: Genetic, Phenotypic, correlations, litter size, weaning weight heritabilit

Effect of supplementation on the milk yield and composition of Red Sokoto does

Twenty-eight Red Sokoto does were supplemented with crop residue-based and concentrate rations at 1 and 2% of body weight in a 7-treatment completely randomised block design experiment. Average daily milk yield, total milk yield, total lactation length and milk composition were monitored and subjected to least squares analysis to test the effect of treatment. Results indicated that Ration 1C which comprised of mainly crop residue with much lesser protein levels than the concentrate rations (1A and 2A), produced 54kg of milk over a 90-day lactation period averaging 0.60 kg per day. At the other extreme, the negative control ration (Green grass and Digitaria hay) contained the least protein and dams that fed on it had the shortest lactation length (41 days), and therefore least total and average daily milk yields (10.2 and 0.25kg, respectively). It was evident that in absolute terms, milk from does on Ration 2A contained the highest percentages of fat (6%), protein (6.33%), total solids (21.85%) and SNF (15.85%). As expected, milk from does on the negative control ration ranked least with respect to all the parameters studied. It was concluded that Ration C fed at 1% level is a good supplementary feed package for increased milk production in Red Sokoto goats because it competes favourably with conventional concentrate rations. It also gives milk with lower fat content than conventional concentrate rations which from a consumer point of view, is healthy and desirable

Effect of Protein Flushing on Reproductive Performance of Multiparous Does

No Abstrac