Factors affecting lactation performances of Jersey-White Fulani and Holstein-Gudali genetic crossed groups of cows in Western Highlands of Cameroon

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate factors affecting daily milk yield, lactation peak milk and calving interval lactation peak of Jersey-White Fulani and Holstein-Gudali genetic crossed groups of cows in Western Highlands of Cameroon. Data on 404 genetic crossed cows obtained from the database of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) of Bambui in the Western Highlands of Cameroon were used. These genetic crossed cows were results of crosses between imported Jersey (J) and Holstein (H) bull semen with local White Fulani (WF) and Gudali (G) cows. Results obtained revealed that only daily milk yield (DMY) varied significantly between the different genetic crossed groups of cows. Daily milk yield, lactation peak milk (LPM) and calving interval lactation peak (CILP) tended to increase with exotic blood level. Cows with 70% of Holstein exotic blood (75%Hx25%G) recorded the highest LPM (14.51 ± 2.97 kg) and the longest CILP (39.86 ± 9.89 days) being the highest DMY (6.74 ± 0.41kg) was in 50%Hx50%G genetic crossed group. Genetic crossed group II (75%Jx25%WF) registered the lowest DMY (5.59 ± 0.43 kg) and the lowest LPM (10.46 ± 1.16 kg) meanwhile the shortest CILP (27.19 ± 3.68 days) was obtained with genetic crossed group I (50%Jx50%WF). Performances obtained for both DMY, LPM and CILP with Holstein-Gudali (50%Hx50%G and 75%Hx25%G) crossed as compared to Jersey-White Fulani crossed revealed their high productive potential through their adaptability capacity to harsh conditions of tropics.