Effect of improved feeding and housing, Friesian blood level and parity on milk production of Ankole x Friesian cows

In North Kivu, D.R. Congo, cattle are raised in extensive systems based on local breeds and crossbreds. This farming method affects the performance of dairy animals and mortgages the level of milk consumption in population. An improved farming system, including feed supplementation, Friesian cross-breeding and the sheltering of animals in stalls at night, was studied to evaluate its effect on milk production by Ankole x Friesian crossbreds. The study was performed in Beni, D.R. Congo, on two groups of 15 animals (control group-CoG and improved group-IG), homogeneous according to Friesian blood and parity levels. The improved system, Friesian blood and parity levels increased significantly milk production (P<0.001). Farming system increased milk production by 1.6 l/d (5.2 l/d vs 6.8 l/d respectively in CoG and IG). Milk production ranged from 5.3±0.04 l/d to 6.6±0.02 l/d and from 4.9±0.02 l/d to 7.2±0.02 l/d according, respectively, to Friesian blood level and parity. A significant interaction was observed between farming system and Friesian blood level, and between farming system and parity (P<0.001). The two groups were characterized by a fair adaptation to forage availability associated to climatic factors. The study showed the importance of genetic and environmental factors on the milk production of crossbred dairy cows of the region

Extensive farming practices and cattle performance in local breed and crossed of exotic dairy breeds in Beni, DR Congo

In order to analyze the relationship between farming practices and animal performance of mixed breed cows, in Beni area, North Kivu Province, DR Congo, a study was conducted from July 2003 to November 2006, on 8676 cattle stemming from 65 farms composed of 4945 cows from local breed and animals crossed with exogenous breeds considered ameliorative. Demographic observations, milk production measurements, investigations and follow-up relating to reproductive parameters have been performed. Data were analyzed by the chi-squared test and by generalized linear models, according to genotype, forage quality and characteristics of the supplement. Results showed, to some extent, an involvement of the farmers in their speculation, but a low turnover rate of the herds. The breeding practices influenced milk production, age at first calving and calving interval. In crossed type , milk production was more than twice that observed in local breed. The complementation as forage and concentrate increased milk production mildly but significantly, when compared to the situation without complement. First calving age and calving interval were highly influenced by genotype, and calving interval also by the complementation and the improved forage. These results highlight the effects of livestock management on milk and reproductive performance of cows actually raised in the regio