A retrospective study on reproductive and dairy performance of Holstein Friesian on zero grazing in the western highland regions of Cameroon

D S Gwaza, A I Okwori*, A H Abu** and E M Fombah*

Department of Animal Breeding and Physiology, University of Agriculture, Makurdi.Nigeria
*Department of Animal Production
**Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry
adakoleabu@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

We estimated age at first calving, calving interval, gestation length, calf birth weight and daily lactation yields from records routinely kept by Heifer Project International (HPI) farmer groups on imported Holstein Friesian (HF) herds on zero grazing in the Western highland regions of Cameroon.

Sire and year had significant effect on age at first calving. Heritability estimates due to sire and dam on age at first calving were 0.30+0.06 and 0.03+0.13 respectively. The mean gestation length of 270.28+5.72 days was low. Sire and year had significant (P<0.05) effect on gestation length. The heritability estimates due to sire and dam on gestation length were 0.34+0.03 and 0.04+0.12 respectively. Calving interval and calf birth weight were 13.3+0.50 months and 39.2+0.20 kg respectively. Year significantly affected calving interval and birth weight. Male calves weighed significantly (P<0.05) higher (40.7+0.38 kg) than female calves (37.9+0.35 kg). Sire effect was significant (P<0.05) on birth weight. Heritability estimates due to sire and dam on calving interval and birth weight were 0.02+0.14, 0.01+0.08, 0.09+0.09 and 0.02+0.02 respectively. The mean daily milk yield was 14.2+0.29 kg. Sire, year and dam significantly (P<0.05) affected daily lactation yield. The heritability estimates due to sire and dam on daily lactation yields were 0.42+0.04 and 0.04+0.14 respectively.

The observed performance of the HF at the highland region of Cameroon is commendable. The full expression of the genetic potentials in these traits had however been restricted by the environment of the region.

Key words: Heritability indices, Holstein Friesian cattle, Performance

Introduction

In the tropics, and most developing countries, the productive and reproductive potentials of indigenous cattle are low compared to temperate breeds. Hence several efforts to increase livestock production have been through breeding strategies and policies that encouraged the introduction and breeding of exotic temperate breeds (Stetshwaelo and Adebambo 1992). These imported exotic breeds were either maintained at research stations or institutional farm centres that were designed to provide comparable management at agro climatic conditions similar to their temperate environment. However, the animals were introduced into the high stress agro- ecosystems of the tropics often too rapidly to allow for natural selection in terms of adaptive and or productive traits (Hammond and Leitch 1995). It is important that the animals go through the process of natural selection in order to help them acquire adaptive and or productive traits for diverse ecological conditions found in developing countries (Almando 1986).

Heifer Project International (HPI), a non-governmental organization, under the "acronym" (passing on the gifts), imports live Friesian cattle into Cameroon. These animals were given to resource limited farm families for milk production under the zero grazing production system. The scheme has become so successful that, aside proving the ability of the Holstein Friesian to survive under local management in the tropics, had also generated employment opportunities to most able-bodied farmers, and turned barren lands that were not suitable for grain production to pasture production.

The performance of Holstein Friesian under zero grazing at the Western highland regions of Cameroon is a potential lead to the possibility that this breed can be integrated in the tropics. These animals could, over the years, acquire adaptive features for tropical conditions. There is no doubt that, aside the tropical harsh conditions, the poor management practices employed by the local farmers will often affect the productivity of these animals. Latthammer (1989) reported that 80% variations in fertility and milk yields of dairy cows were attributed to environmental factors.

This study intends to provide information on the reproductive and dairy performance of imported Holstein Friesian cattle at the Western Highland regions of Cameroon.
 

Materials and methods

Data on age at first calving, calving interval, gestation length, calf birth weight and daily lactation yield of imported Holstein Friesian in the Western highland regions of Cameroon were obtained from records routinely kept by HPI farmer groups. A total of one hundred and thirty-seven calving records from 1986 to 2004 were analysed.

Location

Western highland region of Cameroon is located between latitude 5^o20" and 7^o North and longitude 9^o40" and 11^o10" East. The rainfall ranges from 1,300 - 3,000mm with a mean of 2,000mm. The minimum and maximum daily temperature means were 15.5^oC and 24.5^oC respectively. The climate is marked by dry season (November - March) and a rainy season (April - October). The region is free from tsetse flies.

Animal and management

Holstein Friesian dams imported into Cameroon by the Heifer Project International (HPI), were quarantined for one month, dewormed and vaccinated after which they were placed with farming groups in the highland regions. Veriben or other antibiotics were administered on prophylactic basis and when the animals showed symptoms of diseases.

The animals were reared by the zero grazing management system. The farmers establish pastures comprising: Pennisetum purpureum, Brachiaria decumbens, Desmodium, Stylosanthes Calliandra, Acacia, Cowpea leaves, plantain leaves and sweet potato leaves which are cut and fed to the animals in the rainy season. In the dry season, hay, crop residues, fresh grass from river sides and valleys were fed to the animals, supplemented twice (morning and evening) with concentrate feed compounded from cotton seed cake, corn, wheat or rice bran, palm kernel cake, bone meal, salt and limestone. Water was provided ad libitum.

The animals were housed in stalls that vary from one farmer-group to another depending on their income status. The housing system ranges from dwarf mud wall, wooden wall or brick wall with thatched or of zinc roof. The floor system also varied from mud, laterite on mud and cement floors. In all the farmer groups, milking parlours were cemented.

Mating system

The mating system was natural. Heifers were only allowed freely with the bulls at puberty. There was no controlled breeding.

Data Analysis

The data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance according to the procedure described by Steele and Torrie (1980). The effect of sire, dam, year and sex of calf (for birth weight) were tested at 0.01 and 0.05 per cent probability levels. The mean sum of squares was equated to their expected mean sum of squares (EMS) to estimate the variance components due to error, sire and dam.

The data were unbalanced (number of progeny per sire was not equal), K₁ ¹ K₂, thus K₁, K₂ and K₃ were estimated by the following formulas:

Where:

n.. = Total number of progeny

n_i. = Number of progeny per sire

n_ij = Number of progeny per dam

df = degrees of freedom

K_1, K_2, K₃ = Coefficient of Variance components being estimated

Having obtained K₁ and K₂, ó²_w and ó²_Dwere estimated by equating MS to EMS and solving appropriately for, ó²_w and ó²_D. The estimate of ó²_S was obtained as follows:

The heritability estimates due to sire and dam were estimated as follows:

The standard error (S.E) of heritability was estimated using the formula:

and

Where:

t = Intra class Correlation

K₁ = Coefficient of Variance components

S = number of sires

n. = Total number of progeny
 

Results

Performance and heritability estimates of Holstein Friesian on zero grazing at the Western Highland regions of Cameroon are presented in Tables 1 and 2 respectively.

Age at first calving

The mean age at first calving was 30.9+0.60 months (Table 1).

Sire and year had significant (P<0.05) effect on age at first calving. The heritability estimates of Age at first calving were 0.30+0.06 and 0.03+0.13 due to paternal half sib (h²_pHS) and maternal half sibs (h²_mHS) respectively (Table 2).

Gestation length

The mean gestation length was 270+5.72 days (Table 1). Sire and year significantly (P<0.05) affected gestation length. Dam had no effect at (P<0.05) on gestation length. The paternal and maternal half sibs heritability estimates were 0.34+0.03 and 0.4+0.12 respectively for gestation length (Table 2).

Calving interval

The mean calving interval was 13.3+0.50 months (Table 1). Year significantly (P<0.05) affected calving interval. Sire and Dam had no effect (P>0.05) on calving interval. The paternal half sib (h²_S) and maternal half sib (h²_D) heritability estimates for calving interval were 0.02+0.14 and 0.01+0.08 respectively (Table 2).

Calf birth weight

The birth weight of calves ranged from 28kg to 50 kg. The mean birth weight for all calves was 39.2+0.20 kg (Table 1). The mean birth weight of male and female calves were 40.7+0.38 and 37.9+0.35 respectively. Sex, year of calving and Sire of calf significantly (P<0.05) affected calf birth weight. The heritability estimates due to Sire (h²_S) and Dam (h²_D) were 0.09+0.09 and 0.02+0.02 respectively for calf birth weight.

Daily lactation yield

The mean daily milk yield was 14.2+0.29 per day (Table 1). Sire, dam and year of calving had significant (P<0.05) effect on daily lactation yield. The heritability estimates due to Sire (h²_S ) and dam (h²_D) were 0.42+0.04 and 0.04+0.14 respectively (Table 2) for daily lactation yield.
 

Discussion

Age at first calving

The mean age at first calving observed in Table 1 is higher than 28.8 months reported by Knudsen and Sohael (1970) for imported Friesian heifers at Vom. The result however compares favourably with 30.9 months also reported by Knudsen and Sohael (1970) for Friesian breeds bred at Vom. The high age at first calving observed here may be related to environmental conditions which may not only exert climatic stress on the animal development, but may also influence pasture availability and its nutrient profile. These may retard growth rate, delay puberty, reduced fertility and conception, thus, the high age at first calving of the imported Friesians at Western highland regions of Cameroon.

Sire had significant (P<0.05) effect on age at first calving in this result. Mrode and Akinokun (1986) however did not record significant effect of Sire on age at first calving. Since the heifer were only allowed freely with the bulls at puberty as defined by the farmer, the significant effect of sire on age at first calving may be implicated by possible elapsed oestrous before the heifers were put to the bulls. Bull inactiveness or services that could not yield conception or a combination of these. The low heritability estimates due to sire on this trait implies that there is a low genetic contribution to the observed phenotype. The environment exerted greater influence on this observation. The report of Latthammer (1989) supported this view. The heritability estimates due to sire (h²_S ) and dam (h²_D) on age at first calving were 0.30+0.06 and 0.03+0.13 respectively. These estimates agree with 0.29 heritability due to sire reported by Rege et al (1992) for Sahiwal cattle. The moderate heritability estimates due to sire on this trait implies that, there is a low genetic contribution to the observed phenotype. The environment exerted greater influence on this observation. Thus improvement on this trait can be achieved by a good selection programme combined with appropriate breeding and feeding systems. Effect of year was significantly (P<0.05) on age at first calving. Mrode and Akinokun (1986) and Oyedipe et al (1982) also reported significant effect of year on age at first calving. The significant effect of year on age at first calving is an indication of the influence of the environment on this trait. Thus, the observed performance here is greatly linked to the climatic stress affecting the herd. Hence, there should be concerted efforts to improve the feeding and nutrient profile of feeds offered to the animals, housing, disease prevention and management especially during harsh climatic conditions in order to improve on age at first calving.

Gestation length

The mean gestation length of 270+5.72 days in this result is lower but close to 278 days reported by Osei et al (2004) for the same breed.

Sire had a significant (P<0.05) effect on gestation length in this result. This agrees with the report of Brakel et al (1952), Joubert (1961) who reported significant effect of sire on gestation length in Holstein Friesian and South African Friesian cattle respectively. This indicates the genetic contribution from the sire to the observed gestation length.

The heritability estimates due to sire on gestation length of 0.34+0.03 agrees with 0.32+0.83 reported by Singh et al (1958). Wheat and Riggs (1958) reported 0.22+0.50 heritability estimate due to dam higher than 0.04+0.12 obtained in this result. The lower estimate obtained in this study may have arisen from high common maternal and environmental variance.

The moderate heritability estimate due to sire on gestation length means that the animal's genotype also influences the gestation length. Thus selection for this trait will lead to an improvement in gestation length.

Calving interval

The mean calving interval (13.1+0.50 months) (399 days) observed here is higher than 12.3 months and 11.7 months reported by Knudsen and Sohael (1970); Mbap and Ngere (1988) respectively for imported Friesian at Vom. The high calving interval obtained here may be related to poor management practices and other environmental stress that could affect the animals return to oestrus, heat detection, serving and conception at the Western highland regions of Cameroon.

Year effect significantly affected calving interval in this result. Oyedipe et al (1982) also reported significant effect of year on calving interval. The significant effect of year on calving interval shows that there is a high contribution of the environment to the observed calving interval. Thus, poor management and other environmental stress may affect calving interval.

Dam effect was also significant (P<0.05) on calving interval. Mbap (1996) also reported significant effect of dam on calving interval. The heritability estimates due to sire (h²_S) and dam (h²_D) on calving interval were 0.02+0.14 and 0.01+0.08 respectively. Akinokun (1970) also reported heritability estimate due to sire of 0.12+0.11 for N'dama cattle. Mrode and Akinokun (1986) also reported low heritability estimates of 0.28+0.80 for White Fulani cattle. The low heritability estimates on calving interval indicated little genetic contribution to this trait. Thus, the indicated significant effect of dam on calving interval may be due to maternal effects and common environmental factors due to dam like early return to oestrus, oestrus detection and servicing which are non genetic but may affect calving interval.

Birth weight

The mean birth weight of calves (39.2+0.20kg) observed in this study is higher than that reported by Mbap and Ngere (1988); Mrode (1988). The higher birth weight observed here might be related to the influence of the genotype on birth weight which is consistent even under poor management.

Year had a significant (P<0.05) effect on birth weight of calves. This was also noted by Ehoche et al (1992). This is an indication of the effect of management practices, housing, disease prevention and management, feeding and nutrient content of feed offered to the animals during gestation. Significant effect of sex of calf was also apparent in this result. Male and female calves weighed 40.7+0.38 and 37.8+0.35 kg at birth respectively. This result agrees with the report of Rachnefeed et al (1980); Ehoche et al (1992); Vesely and Robinson (1971) who also reported that male calves, significantly weighed heavier than female calves at birth. This observation may be due to the fact that male foetuses grow faster during gestation and will have higher weight at birth than female calves.

Effect of sire on birth weight of calves was also significant (P<0.05) in this result. This was also reported by Ehoche et al (1992) and Rachnefeed et al (1980). The heritability estimates due to sire (h²_S) and dam (h²_D) in this result were low 0.09+0.09 and 0.02+0.02 respectively. Oni et al (1989) reported heritability estimate of 0.33 for Bunaji cattle. The low heritability estimate observed in this result may have been influenced by the large error variance. However, the significant effect of sire on birth weight implies considerable genetic contribution to this trait. Appropriate selection programmes combined with good mating systems will yield good result.

Daily lactation yields

The mean daily lactation yield of 14.2+0.29 kg recorded in this study, is lower than 16.5+0.46 kg reported by Knudsen and Sohael (1970) for the same breed at Vom. The lower value obtained here could have been influenced by environment and poor management practices. This is supported by the significant (P<0.05) effect of year observed in this study. Mrode (1988) also reported significant year effect on daily lactation yields of White Fulani cattle.

Sire effect was significant (P<0.05) on daily lactation yield in this study. Knudsen and Sohael (1970) also observed significant effect of sire on daily lactation yields. The heritability estimate due to sire was 0.42+0.04 on this trait. The significant effect of sire coupled with the high heritability estimate due to sire point to the fact that, although, the bull does not produce milk, it contributes genetically to the daily performance of the cow offspring. Consequently, adequate selective measures should therefore be taken for selecting a breeding bull in dairy herds for economic productivity.

The effect of dam was also significant (P<0.05) in this result. Bailey and Broster (1954) also reported significant effect of dam on daily lactation yield. The heritability estimates due to dam was 0.04+0.14 on this trait. The significant effect of the dam on this trait while recording low h²_D seems to indicate that aside the dam genotypic effect, other maternal effects like dams body condition, nutritional status, age of dam at calving and other common maternal environmental factors which are non genetic but affect the dams daily milk yield. Thus, considerable attention should be given to the dam after each lactation before rebreeding it.
 

Conclusion and recommendation

• The observed performance of Holstein Friesian (HF) at the highland region of Cameroon is commendable. The full expression of the genetic potentials of HF on these traits had however been restricted by the environment of the region. This is shown by the low values of genetic parameter estimates (heritability estimates) and the significant effect of year on these traits.

• The observed performance could be improved upon if HPI extension workers could uphold standard routine management practices especially during harsh environmental conditions. A mating system could be designed such that the heifers are put to the bull at a given age shortly before they attain puberty for all the farm families. The Cameroonian livestock department can collaborate with HPI to encourage the breeding, multiplication and integration of the region-bred Holstein Friesian within the region. This may allow the animal develop adaptive and productive potentials against the region's environment over time.
   

References

Akinokun J O 1970 Genetics in the improvement of livestock production; Nigerian Journal of genetics 1: 28 - 37.

Almando T P 1986 Conservation of Animal genetic resources, Brazil National Programme, In: FAO Animal Production and health paper No. 06. Animal genetic resource, strategies for improved use and conservation 165 - 175.

Bailey G L and Broster W H 1954 The influence of live weight on milk production during the first lactation. Journal of Dairy Research 2: 5 - 9.

Becker A W 1992 Manual of Quantitative genetics. Fifth edition, Publisher Pullman, WA99163 - 9666, U S A.

Brakel W J, Rife D C and Salisbury S M 1952 Factors associated with duration of gestation length in Dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 35: 179 - 194.

Ehoche O W A, Malau-Adulla E and Abubakar B Y 1992 Factors affecting birth weight and growth rate in Friesian X Bunaji calves. Nigerian Journal. of Animal Science No. 6. pp. 100 - 105.

Hammond K and Leitch H 1996 The FAO global programme for the management of farm animal genetic resources In: Miller R, Pursel V and Norman H (Eds) Beltsville Symposia in Agricultural Research XX Biotechnology's Role in the Genetic Improvement of Farm Animals American Society of Animal Science pp 24-42. 

Joubert D N 1961 Duration of pregnancy of south Africa. Friesian cattle. South African Journal of Agricultural. Science 4, 467 - 472.

Knudsen P B and Sohael A S 1970 The Vom herd. A study of the performance of mixed Friesian Zebu herd in a Tropical environment. Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad 47(3): 189 - 203.

Latthammer K H 1989 Influence of nutrition on reproductive performance of milking and lactating cows. In: Proceedings of the FAO Expert Consultation, FAO Animal Production and Health Paper 86, held in Bangkok, Thailand. July 7 - 11, 1989. pp. 20 - 25. http://www.fao.org/ag/AGA/AGAP/FRG/AHPP86/Lottham.pdf

Mbap S T 1996 A note on heritability estimates of birth weight and calving interval of White Fulani cattle. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production Volume 23 No. 122. pp.101 - 102.

Mbap S T and Ngere L O 1988 Productivity of Friesian cattle in Sub-tropical environment. Tropical Agriculture, (Trinidad) Volume 66. No. 2: pp. 121 - 124.

Mrode R A 1988 Lactational performance of White Fulani cattle in Southern Nigeria. Tropical Animal Health and Production 20: 149 - 154

Mrode R A and Akinokun O 1986 Genetic parameters and factors affecting reproductive performance in White Fulani cattle in Southern Nigeria. Tropical Animal Health and Production 18: 81 - 154.

Oni O O, Buvarnendran V and Dim N I 1989 Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters for body weight in Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle. Tropical Agriculture. (Trinidad) 65:369 - 371.

Osei S A, Eltah-Baale K and Karikari P 2004 The reproductive performance of Friesian cattle breed in the hot humid zone of Ghana.  http://www.fao.org/AG/AGAINFO/resources/documents/WAR/war/U4900B/u4900b0j.htm

OyedipeE A, Buvarnendran V and Eduvie I O 1982 Some factors affecting the reproductive performance of White Fulani (Bunaji) cattle. Tropical Agriculture. (Trinidad) 39: 231 - 234.

Rachnefeed A T, Kress D O, Burfering P J and Fredrick R A 1980 Sire X region of U.S. and herd interaction effect on calving ease and Birth weight. Journal of Animal Science 55: 765 - 769.

Rege J E O, Rook J S and Rendel J 1992 Genetic Analysis of Reproductive and Productive performance of Friesian cattle in Kenya. I. Genetic and phenotypic parameters. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 108: 412 - 423.

Singh O N, Singha B O and Singh B P S R 1958 Environmental and hereditary causes of variation in gestation of Tharparker cows. Indian Journal of Dairy Science 11: 109 - 112.

Steele R G D and Torrie J H 1980 Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. 2^nd edition McGraw- hill. London, U.K. 633 pp.

Stetshwaelo L L and Adebambo A O 1992 Genetic conservation of domestic livestock. Vol. 2: Ed. Lawrence Anderson Imres. Bodo, CAB International, Wallingford. Pp. 87 - 102.

Vesely J A and Robinson O W 1971 Genetic and maternal effects of pre-weaning growth and types scores in beef calves. Journal of Animal Science 32: 825 - 831.

Wheat J D and Riggs J K 1958 Heritability and Repeatability of gestation length in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 17: 248 - 253.

Received 3 August 2006; Accepted 12 February 2007; Published 2 April 2007

Go to top