Non-genetic factors affecting milk yield and composition of Holstein-Friesian cows nested within natural ecological regions of Zimbabwe

Authors

  • Godfrey Bernard Nyamushamba Faculty of Agriculture, Women’s University in Africa, P.O.Box, MP 1222, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
  • B. Tavirimirwa Department of Research and Specialist Services, Matopos Research Institute P Bag k5137, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
  • N.Y. D. Banana Faculty of Natural Resources Management and Agriculture, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe

Keywords:

Natural ecological region; year of calving; milk yield; milk composition

Abstract

Milk production is affected by genetic and non-genetic factors. Knowledge of these factors is essential for efficient management and accurate estimation of breeding values. The objective of this study was to establish and analyze non-genetic factors which affect milk production and composition in Holstein-Friesian cows. A total of 4 500 milk records from the Zimbabwe Dairy Services Agency (ZDSA) from 1999 to 2004, were used. Natural ecological region, month of calving and year of calving had significant (P<0.05) effect on milk yield, protein and fat composition. Therefore, correction for environmental effects is necessary to increase accuracy of direct selection for milk yield and composition.

References

Amimo, J.O., Wakhungu, J.W., Inyangala, B.O., Mosi, R.O., 2007. The effects of non-genetic factors and estimation

of genetic and phenotypic parameters and trends for milk yield in Ayrshire cattle in Kenya. Livestock Research

for Rural Development. 19, http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd19/1/amim19013.htm

Central Statistical Office, 2003. Statistical yearbook. Government Printers, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Chinogaramombe, G.N.C., Muchenje, V., Mapiye, C., Ndlovu, T.,Chimonyo, M., Musemwa, L., 2008. Challenges for

improvingsmallholder dairy production in the semiarid areas of Zimbabwe. Livestock Research and Rural

Development , 20 (3). http://ftp.sunset.se/wmirrow.www.cipav.org.co/Irrd20/3/chin2 0034.htm.

Dairibord Zimbabwe 2012. Dairibord imports heifers. 2012.www.dairibord.com/index.php /group-news/13

Erasmus L.J., 1995. Nutritional and Management Factors Affecting Milk production and milk protein yield. Journal

of the Zimbabwean Society for Animal Production 7:33

Fontaneli, R.S., Sollenberger, L.E., Littell, R.C., Staples C.R., 2005. Performance of lactating dairy cows managed on

pasture–based or in freestall barn–feeding systems. J. Dairy Sci. 88, 1264–1276.

Gambiza, J., Nyama, C., 2000. Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles.

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/pasture/pasture.htm

Garwe, E., Ball, P.J.H., Hamudikuwanda, H., Mutisi, C., 2001. Reproductive performance of indigenous and crossbred cows developed for milk production in semi-arid regions and the effect of feed supplementation. In:

Sustaining livestock in challenging dry season environments: strategies for small scale livestock keepers;

Proceedings of the third workshop on livestock production programmes, Ingwe Lodge and ICRISAT, Matobo,

Zimbabwe, 26-28 September 2000. Natural Resources International Ltd., Kent, UK. pp. 63-71.

International Dairy Federation, 2012. Number of dairy cows for selected countries. AAFC-AID, Dairy Section.

Canada. www.dairyinfo.gc.ca

Jingura, R.M., 2000. Fodder production and use of farm-grown foods in the smallholder dairy sector: A

participating approach to designing feeding systems in Gokwe South district, Zimbabwe. PhD Thesis

University of Zimbabwe, Harare.

Kunaka, K., 1999. The genetic and phenotypic trends of milk, fat and protein production of Zimbabwean Holstein

population. MSc Thesis. Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, Lilongwe , Malawi.

Makuza, S., Mandizha, S., Mhlanga, F.N., 1999. Environmental Factors Affecting Milk Protein yields in Zimbabwean

Holstein Dairy Cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 80, 101-115

Mandizha, S., 1998. Genetic and Phenotypic parameters for milk, fat and protein yields in Holstein cattle. MSc

Thesis. University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Mangwiro, F.K., 1998. Utilisation of test day milk yield and somatic cell counts for genetic evaluation of dairy

cattle. MSc Thesis . University of Zimbabwe, Harare,Zimbabwe.

Mapiye, C., Foti, R., Mwale, M., Chikumba, N., Poshiwa, X., Chivuraise, C., Mupangwa, J.F., 2006. Constraints to

Adoption of Forage and Browse Legumes by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Zimbabwe. Livestock Research for

Rural Development. Volume 18, (12) http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd18/12/mapi18175.htm

Missanjo, E.M., Imbayarwo-Chikosi, V.E., Halimani, T.E., 2012. Genetic trends production and somatic cell count for

Jersey cattle in Zimbabwe born from 1994 to 2005. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 44,1921-1925

Mpofu, I., 2004. Applied Animal Feed and Technology. 1st Edition Upfront Publishing Ltd, Leicestershire. United

Kingdom.

Muchenje, V., 1996, Development of Age-month adjustment factors for lactation milk yield in Zimbabwean

Holstein Dairy Cattle. MSc Thesis. University of Zimbabwe. Harare, Zimbabwe.

Mupunga, E.G., Dube, D.M.J., 1992 Smallholder development programme in resettled and communal areas in

Zimbabwe. Proceedings of a Workshop on the Future of livestock Industries in East and Southern Africa held

from 20-23 July in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. ILCA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 165-172

http://www.fao.org/Wairdocs/ILRI/x5485E/x5485e0q.htm.

Ngongoni N.T, Mapiye C, Mwale M and Mupeta B., 2007. Effect of supplementing a high-protein ram press

sunflower cake concentrate on smallholder milk production in Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and

Production. 39 (4): 297-307 http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%Fs11250-007-9018-0.pdf

Ngongoni, T.N., Mapiye, C., Mwale, M. and Mupeta, B., 2006. Factors affecting milk production in the smallholder

dairy sector of Zimbabwe. Livestock research for rural development 18, 1-13.

Nyamushamba, G.B., 2006. Non genetic Factors affecting Milk Yield and Composition of Holstein Fresian Cows

nested within natural regions of Zimbabwe.(Unpublished BSc thesis, Women’s University in Africa),

Zimbabwe.

Statistical Analysis Systems, 2004. SAS, User’s Guide: SAS Institute Inc, Cary, North Carolina, USA.

Tavirimirwa, B., Manzungu, E., Ncube, S., 2012. The evaluation of dry season nutritive value of dominant and

improved grasses in fallows in Chivi district, Zimbabwe. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 2(6), 470-474.

http://www.science-line.com/index/; http://www.ojafr.ir

USDA, 2009. Agro-climatic zones in Zimbabwe, (United States Department of Agriculture).

Published

2013-05-28

How to Cite

Bernard Nyamushamba, G. ., Tavirimirwa, B. ., & D. Banana, N. (2013). Non-genetic factors affecting milk yield and composition of Holstein-Friesian cows nested within natural ecological regions of Zimbabwe. Scientific Journal of Veterinary Advances, 2(5), 102-108. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjva/article/view/1081

Issue

Section

Original Article