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Characteristics of Ankole Longhorn cattle and their production environments in South Western Uganda: milk offtake and body measurements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

P.H. Petersen ,
D.B. Ndumu ,
G.H. Kiwuwa ,
M.L. Kyomo ,
D.K.N. Semambo ,
G.J. Rowlands ,
S.N. Nagda  and
H. Nakimbugwe
P.H. Petersen
Affiliation:
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Groennegaardsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
D.B. Ndumu
Affiliation:
National Animal Genetic Resourcces Centre and Databank (NAGRC&DB).P.O. Box 183, Entebbe, Uganda
G.H. Kiwuwa
Affiliation:
Makerere University, Department of Animal Science, P.O.Box 7602, Kampala, Uganda
M.L. Kyomo
Affiliation:
P.O. Box 2258, Morogoro, Tanzania
D.K.N. Semambo
Affiliation:
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Groennegaardsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
G.J. Rowlands
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute(ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
S.N. Nagda
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute(ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
H. Nakimbugwe
Affiliation:
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Groennegaardsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Summary

Characteristics of lactation performance, based on AM milk offtake and conformation, of Ankole cattle were studied during one year in 37 herds with 606 recorded cows in Mbarara district in southwestern Uganda. Recording of AM milk offtake was undertaken in eight areas of Mbarara district which represent different production systems and vegetation types.

The 467 cows with complete lactation cows yielded, on average, a total AM offtake of 252 and 325 kg over first and second or higher lactations, respectively. These offtakes were higher than other African indigenous populations in pastoral systems. Mean body weight was 292 and 341 kg for first and second or higher parities, respectively. Average body measurements for all parities were 161 cm for heart girth, 129 cm for height at withers and 193 cm for body length.

The daily AM milk offtake varied from 1.1 kg in the Ruhengere area characterized by thorny Acacia thickets to 1.9 kg in the bush-cleared Kanyanya area with improved pastures. Although the Ankole cows performed best on the improved pastures, their future may relatively be more favourable in the original non-cleared bush areas because of the gradually increasing competition from exotic dairy breeds and their crosses.

Resumen

Se han estudiado durante un año las características de rendimiento de lactación y conformación en base al método de recogida de leche AM, utilizando 37 rebaños de raza Ankole, con 606 vacas en control lechero, en la zona de Mbarara, en el sudeste de Uganda. El control de recogida de leche con sistema AM fue realizado en ocho zonas de Mbarara que representan los distintos tipos de sistema de producción y vegetación existentes.

Las 467 vacas controladas en sistema de lactación completa produjeron una media de 252 a 325 kg en la primera y segunda, o sucesivas lactaciones, respectivamente. Estas producciones fueron superiores a otras poblaciones africanas en sistema pastoral. El peso medio corporal fue de 292 y 341 kg en la primera y segunda, o superior en condiciones de paridad. La media deltamaño corporal en todo caso fue de 161 cm de circunferencia torácica, 129 cm de altura a la cruz, y 193 cm de longitud corporal.

La producción de leche diaria en sistema AM varió de 1,1 kg en la zona de Ruhengere, caracterizada por la presencia de acacia, hasta 1,9 kg en la zona de pastos mejorados de Kanyanya.

A pesar de su mejor rendimiento en zona de pastos mejorados, el futuro de la raza Ankole puede ser relativamente más favorable en zonas de pastoreo, teniendo en cuenta la creciente competencia gradual proveniente de razas lecheras exóticas y de sus cruces.

Keywords

Lactation characteristicsBody weightHeart girthWithers heightBody lengthProduction systemVegetation type
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 34 , April 2004 , pp. 1 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2004

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