Abstract
Data obtained from Holeta Agricultural Research Center in Ethiopia were analyzed to compare the Boran cattle and the crossbreds and estimate genetic and crossbreeding parameters for first lactation traits. First lactation traits studied were first lactation total milk yield (FLMY), first lactation length (FLL), milk yield per day to first lactation (FLDMY), first 305 days milk yield (MY305) and adjusted first lactation 305 days milk yield (AFL305DMY). The effect of genetic group was significant (p 0.05) difference between HF x Bo and HF x HFBo or J x Bo and J x JBo and thus exotic inheritance beyond 50% showed no improvement in first lactation traits. The heritability estimates were medium (0.21+03) for FLL to high (0.39+0.40) for FLDMY. The breed additive difference for HF or Jersey was positive and significant (p 0.05) for Jersey x Boran crosses except FLDMY and AFL305DMY. Crossbreeding improved first lactation traits three to four folds. Thus, crossbreeding with management interventions could be recommended to improve milk production. Key words: Crossbreeding, genetic parameters, milk yield, non-genetic factors.
Highlights
IntroductionThe per capita consumption of milk in Ethiopia is about 19 kg/year, which is much lower than the world's per capita average of about 100 kg/year (Azage and Alemu, 1997)
The mean performances as well as the ranking order of different generations of the HF x Boran and Jersey x Boran crosses for milk production traits are in agreement with results reviewed for crosses of these two dairy breeds with B. indicus cattle in the tropics (Cunningham and Syrstad, 1987; Tibbo et al, 1994; Demeke et al, 2004)
It was noted that, the performance of crosses in Ethiopia were lower as compared to the crosses in other part of the continent which has been used Sahiwal and B. taraus in a crossbreeding program
Summary
The per capita consumption of milk in Ethiopia is about 19 kg/year, which is much lower than the world's per capita average of about 100 kg/year (Azage and Alemu, 1997). The estimated average lactation milk yield per cow for the indigenous cows ranged from 494 to 850 kg under optimum management condition (EARO, 1999). The milk production of Boran cattle, based on few studies ranged from 500 to 1000 kg per lactation with lactation length of less than 200 days (IAR, 1976; Demeke et al, 2004; Haile et al, 2009). Ethiopia is importing milk, and import dependence has showed a steady progress, worsening during drought periods. The imports grew rapidly at 24.18% per year and it is estimated that imported milk powder accounted for 23% of Addis Ababa market (Getachew and Gashaw, 2001)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
