Full text in pdf format

Effects on milk yield of crossbreeding Zebu and European breeds in the Sudan^*

Michael E. McGlothlen^I; Farouk El Amin^II; Charles J. Wilcox^I; R. Hunt Davis^III

^IDepartment of Dairy and Poultry Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. Send correspondence to C.J.W.
^IIZoology Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
^IIIHistory Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

ABSTRACT

Data from Sudan were analyzed, representing a herd established in 1907 with Butana, a Zebu breed, and crossbred offspring by Ayrshire, Holstein, Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn sires. Mean milk yield was 2508 kg; mean calving interval was 461 days. Statistical analysis of 4121 lactation records of 892 cows was by method of ordinary least squares analysis of variance. Mathematical model included year, month and age at parturition, percentage of European breed composition and interactions of breed composition. Calving interval was included as an independent variable in some models (dependent variable was milk yield). All animals were at least 29% Butana. Data covered 27 years; additional analyses were performed on two data subsets representing the best 14 and poorest 13 years. Estimates of heterosis for milk yield were .9 and 6.0% for Ayrshire and Holstein F₁ crossbreds if data were not adjusted for calving interval, or 15.1 and 16.5% if adjusted. Overall, yields were highest for Holstein crossbreds, lowest for Ayrshire crossbreds, with three breed (Ayrshire, Holstein, Butana) crossbreds intermediate. Estimates of yield of 91 crossbred groups were obtained by response surface methodology with a breed composition of Holstein, Ayrshire and Butana. Overall and in good years, results suggested yields increased with up to 12/16 European breeding of either Holstein or Ayrshire, although maximum yield when adjusted for calving interval resulted from animals 6/16 Holstein, 6/16 Ayrshire, and 4/16 Butana. In poor years, results were similar; not adjusted for calving interval, highest yields were from 8/16 Holstein, 4/16 Ayrshire and 4/16 Butana crossbreds. Results thus suggest that under the environmental conditions encountered, upgrading of Butana to at least 12/16 Holstein or Ayrshire would be associated with maximum yields on the average in good years, and would be associated with only a small decline in yields in poor years.

Keywords: milk yield; crossbreeding Zebu; European breeds.

REFERENCES

Bennett, C.S.J., E.R. and Hewison, J.W. (1948). Animal husbandry. In: Agriculture in the Sudan (Tothill, J.D., ed.). Oxford University Press, London, pp. 633-667.

Chaudhry, M.Z., Wilcox, C.J. and Simeri, N.A. (1993). Factors affecting performance of Holstein and Jersey by Sahiwal crossbred dairy cattle in Pakistan. Brazil. J. Genetics 16: 959-956.

Cochran, W.G. and Cox, G.M. (1957). Experimental Designs. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Corley, E.L. and Hodgson, R.E. (1970). Report, review and recommendations on dairy herd improvement in El Salvador. Mimeo Report, USDA/PASA Mission to El Salvador, Sept. 15, pp. 26.

El Amin, F.M., Simerl, N.A. and Wilcox, C.J. (1986). Genetic and environmental effects upon reproductive performance of Holstein crossbreds in the Sudan. J. Dairy Sci. 69: 1093-1097.

Fernandez-Baca, S., de Lucia, R. and Jara, L.C. (1986). Mexico: Milk and beef production from tropical pastures - an experience in the humid tropics. World Anim. Rev. 58: 2-12.

Katpatal, B.G. (1983). Cattle breeding research and application in India - present and future. In: Dairy Cattle Breeding in the Humid Tropics (Balaine, D.S., ed.). Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, India, pp. 31-91.

Lobo, R.B., Duarte, F.A.M., Bezerra, L.A.F. and Wilcox, C.J. (1982). Genetic trends in milk production following formation of a tropical dairy breed (Pitangueiras). Brazil. J. Genetics V: 353-361.

Madsen, O. (1976). Red Danish cattle in the tropics. World Anim. Rev. 19: 8-13.

McDowell, R.E. (1985a). Meeting constraints to intensive dairying in tropical areas. Cornell Internat. Agric. Mimeo. 108. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, pp. 41.

McDowell, R.E. (1985b). Crossbreeding in tropical areas with emphasis on milk, health and fitness. J. Dairy Sci. 68: 2418-2435.

McGlothlen, M.E. (1987). Creating a new dairy breed for the tropics. Indian Dairyman 34: 273-275.

Osman, A.H. (1983). Sudanese indigenous cattle and the strategy for their conservation and improvement. In: Animal Genetic . Resources Conservation by Management, Data Banks and Training. FAO, Rome, pp. 58-66.

Osman, A.H. and Russell, S.W. (1974). Comparative performance of different grades of European-Zebu crossbred cattle at Ghurashi Dairy Farm, Sudan. Trop. Agric. 51: 549-558.

Trail, J.C.N. and Gregory, K.E. (1981). Sahiwal Cattle: An Evaluation of their potential contribution to milk and beef production in Africa. ILCA Monograph 3. International Livestock Centre for Africa, Addis Ababa, pp. 127.

* Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-03848.