A study of lactation curves of imported Fresian cattle in a tropical environment

No Abstract

Production characteristics of F1 Friesian x Bunaji cattle in Vom

A total of 141 lactation records from 70 F1 Friesian ♂ x Bunaji ♀ cattle maintained at the National Veterinary Research lnstitute's dairy farn, Vom , from 1970 - 1975 was utilized. Measurements were made of milk production traits of economic importance. Average milk yield was 1694 kg in 258 days. Mean 305 - day yield was 1896 kg. The third and fourth lactations were superior to the first and second (P < 0. 05). Differences in lactation lengths were small (P > 0. 05). Peak production occurred at the fourth lactaction when animals were 67 months old. Age at first calving averaged 29.7 months. Mean dry period and calving intervals were 64 and 331 days respectively. First calvers were non-significantly more persistent than older cows (P > 0. 05). Management practices essential for increased milk production and shorter calving intervals were suggested.Key Words: Friesian, Bunaji, crosses lactatio

Influence of brewers dried grains on the ruminal volatile fatty acids(VFA) production and milk constituents in Zebu cows

No Abstract

Yield and Composition of Milk of West African Dwarf (Wad) Sheep Fed Graded Levels of Boiled Pigeon Pea Seed Meal Broiler Chicken

A study was conducted to evaluate the yield and composition of milk of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep fed graded levels of boiled Pigeon pea Seed Meal (PSM). Four diets were formulated to contain pigeon pea seed meal at 0, 10, 20 and 30% levels, designated diets A, B, C and D respectively. Four lactating WAD ewes in their second parity and weighing between 15 and 17kg were used to carry out the study in a 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment. Data collected were milk yield and composition. Milk yield (kg/wk) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the treatment means. However, the milk yield of animals fed diet D (30% PSM) tended to be higher (4.34kg/wk) than those fed diets A (4.17 kg/wk), B (4.13 kg/wk) and C (3.80 kg/wk). Except for the ash content in which diet D group was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on diets A and C, all the other milk constituents did not differ significantly (p>0.05). However, lactose content and solids-corrected milk were higher in the diet D group, than for diets A, B and C groups, though similar (p>0.05). Simple regression analysis indicated that milk yield was positively but not significantly (p>0.05) correlated with crude protein, solids- not-fat, and lactose, while negatively but not significantly (p>0.05) correlated with total solids, butterfat and energy. Butterfat and energy were highly positively (p<0.001) correlated. Solids-corrected milk was highly positively (p<0.001) correlated with fatcorrected milk. The results of this study indicated that the dietary inclusion of boiled pigeon pea seed meal at 30% level was optimum for lactating West African Dwarf ewes as this promoted milk yield and adequate milk constituents

A note on protein requirement of friesian cows for maintenance in a tropical environment

Four dry non pregnant Friesian cows averagely weighing 376 ±19.2kg were in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. assigned to four dietary treatments: (A) hay (Digitaria ezilis), (B) hay plus brewers dried grains. (C) brewers dried grains plus 5% molasses and (D) brewers dried grains plus 10% molasses, to assess the protein requirement for maintenance. The mean metabolic faecal nitrogen (MFN) and endogenous urinary nitrogen (EUN) values were 0.361 ± 0.022g/100g DM intake and 0.079 ± 0.024g/day /W0.75kg respectively. The mean biological values (BV) were 53.5 72.4, 58.4 and 58.l for treatments A, B. C and D. These MFN. EUN and BV values facilitated the use of factorial equation, which gave average daily digestible crude protein (DCP) requirement for maintenance as l .45g/W0.75 kg (0.94 - 2.85).Key words: Protein requiremr:nts maintenance. Friesian, Tropical environment

Composition and quality of fresh cow milk offered for sale in parts of Plateau state of Nigeria

No Abstract

The digestibility and intake of sodium hydroxide or local alkali-treated straw by goats

No Abstrac

The effects of ensilage on the nutritive characteristics of poultry waste –carbohydrate mixture as livestock feed

No Abstract

Effects of levels of inclusion of Acacia albida pods on intake and digestibility of a concentrate diet by goats

Fifteen entire male Bomo white goats aged 12.0 ± l.60 months nnd weighing between 12.5 and 14.0kg were in a S x S Latin square design experiment used to estimate  he digestibility of concentrate diets containing 0 (A), 15 (B), 30 (c), 45 (D) and 60 percent  E) A. albida pods. The Acacia contained (in percent dry  matter) crude protein 11.7,  ther extract 2.6, crude fibre 31.4, tannin 13.0, ash 13.7 and nitrogen-free extractives 37.6.  The gross energy content (MJ/kg DM) was 18.2. The apparent digestion coefficients of all the nutrients in diet A were greater (P<0.05) than those in the other treatment diets. The organic matter, crude  protein and crude fibre digestibility values were 73.4, 66.5, 52.6;  3.0, 57.5, 39.J; 59.2, 60.9, 39.8; 47.3, 57.J, 33.8 D.lld 46.9, 53.3, 26.3 percent  respectively for diets A, B, C, D and E. Average nitrogen intake (g/day), faecal and urinary output (g/day) did not differ among the treatments. However, apparerrt nitrogen  digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatments. The values were 62.6, 63.6, 61.9, 59.5 and 55.0 percent for the respective   dietary treatments. All the experimental animals were in positive nitrogen balance.Key words: Acacia albida, intake, digestibility, goats