Bunaji Cattle Research Articles

Steaming up Bunaji Cattle using Maize and Wheat Bran concentrates

Steaming up Bunaji Cattle using Maize and Wheat Bran concentrates

Application of Multivariate Mapping in Classification of Diseases of Bunaji Cattle Slaughtered at Jos Abattoir, Plateau State, Nigeria

The study aimed at describing objectively, the interdependence among diseases of cattle slaughtered in Jos abattoir and mapping using multivariate techniques. In the study, slaughter health records of cattle slaughtered in Jos abattoir, Plateau State for ten years (2006-2016) was reviewed. The cases at ante-mortem and postmortem were based on examination of animals, organs and carcasses by Veterinary officers. We performed principal component and factor analysis using R 3.0.3 statistical software. Factor 1 was sensitive to lumpy skin disease, wound, mastitis, tuberculosis (TB), Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and jaundice while factor 2 had high scores for abscess, helminthosis and TB. The appearance of TB in both factors implies that TB was a major public health threat among the cattle slaughtered in Jos abattoir from the year 2006 – 2011. From 2012-2016, however, mastitis, splenomegaly, hardware disease and TB were diseases and conditions observed to be more prevalent in Jos abattoir slaughter records. Bovine tuberculosis has been mapped to be the most prevalent disease with significant animal-human interface on the Plateau. Testing using molecular tools and development of algorithm tracker for the detection of bovine tuberculosis should be of great significance to public health in attempt to mitigate the wave of transmission of zoonotic diseases between animals and humans.

The Role Of Minerals In The Growth And Viability Of Bunaji Cattle Raised Under Traditional Management In Central Nigeria.

About 400 Bunaji cattle from 12 herds at three sites namely, Kurmin Biri, Madauchi and Ganawuri were used to study the productivity of cattle fed mineral supplements under village conditions. Two herds at each site were allocated at random to each treatment. Mineral blocks containing 11% P and local salt licks containing 96% NaCI which served as control were fed. Supplementation lasted three years. Mineral blocks were put out daily in the Kraals and taken in during rains and when the animals went grazing. Births and disposals were recorded. Animals were weighed monthly using portable barlo electronic scales. Animals grazed natural pasture and crop residues after harvest. Data were analysed using general linear models (GLM) procedure of SAS, Analysis were done for birth weights up to 18 months. Models used for analysis involved the fixed effects of location, herds nested within location, year and season of calving, parity, age of dam and sex of calf. The results showed that birth weights were significantly influenced by location (P<0.05), year of birth (P<0.05) and mineral supplementation (P<0.05). The birth weights were 22.4±0.53, 21.1± 0.42 and 18.2±0.40 kg in Ganawuri, Kurmin Biri and Madauchi respectively. Calves born in 1988 were significantly heavier than those born in 1989 and 1990 and weighed 21.1±0.47, 19.8±0.39 and 20.8±0.48 kg in 1988, 1989 and 1990 respectively. The mineral supplemented calves weighed 21.1±0.38 and 19.9±0.36 kg for phosphate and salt respectively. Using weight as a covariate, it was shown that the growth rate of P supplemented group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05) so that at 18 months the mineral group weighed 165 kg, an improvement of 22%. Calving interval was influenced by location (P<0.05), year of calving (P<0.01) but not significantly by treatment (P>0.05). Calving intervals were 530±62.9 and 503±54.8 days for mineral and salt respectively. Cumulative mortality percentage of calves to 9 and 12 months were not significantly affected by mineral supplementation (P>0.05). These were 11.1±5.00 and 13.4±5.31 and 17.4±5.06 and 24.0±5.43 for mineral and salt respectively. It is concluded that the provision of P-rich mineral blocks to agropastoral herds at strategic periods can improve the productivity of Bunaji cattle.

COMPARISON OF SCALE WEIGHTS TO TAPE ESTIMATES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH CONDITION SCORES IN BUNAJI CATTLE

Animal weighing facilities are not available in many African farming conditions. Indirect methods of estimating animals weights have been compared with scale weights and, in some cases. condition scores. The use of calibrated weigh bands is not widely practised probably because calibrations were based on temperate breeds. A study was carried out to determine the relationship between scale, tape measurement and weighband estimates of Bunaji cattle. These were then related to the animals' condition scores. Both the tape measurement and management and research purposes. When weigh band weights significantly (P<0.001) correlated (r = 0.95 and 0.94 respectively) with the scale weight. Condition score significantly is (P<0.001) correlated with the tape meaşurement, scale and weighband weights (r = 0.62, 0.67 and 0.64 respectively). The correction factors of the regression coefficients of determining weight from condition score for the three methods varied by only 3.92. It is suggested breed. that in the absence of weighing facilities, reliable estimates can be obtained by either tape measurement or weighband methods. Condition score can also reliably be used to estimate the weight using the regression coefficients obtained. Weighbands will be easier to use in field conditions. The need to calculate the weight from a formula could introduce errors when using the tape measurement method.

Carcass and non-carcass characteristics of Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle

Offal parts and carcass component data from 40 Bunaji bulls bought from open market and culled from the herds were slaughtered for beef at the meat laboratory of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) were used to determine the carcass components and Offal yield of bunaji cattle. Dressing percentages of the caule ranges between 53.05±1.44 and 51.03±0.23 for the bulls and cows respectively. The differences were not significant (P>0.05). The bulls have significantly (P<0.05) heavier live weight, carcass weight, quantity of beef and hump muscles than cows. On the average the bulls gave 119.03±3.22kg of beef compared to 110.77±7.22kg of boneless beef produced by the cows. This value represented about 65.55±0.51 and 63.8±1.14% of the carcass weight of the bulls and cows respectively. The bulls have significantly (p<0.05) heavier external offal (54.75±1.72kg) than the cows (43.38±2.44kg). These represented about 17.28±0.23 and 15.28±0.71% of the live weight of the bulls and cow's respectively. The total internal offal (liver, kidney, heart, spleen, lungs, trachea, stomach and intestines) are similar (P<0.05) between the bulls and cows and represented about 5.25±0.15 and 6.75±0.34% of the carcass weight of the bulls and cows respectively. The results of this study show that the File Fulani cattle compared favorably with other African breeds in terms of carcass and non-carcass output. However, a larger proportion of the weight is in the external offal that are nutritionally of low value.

EVALUATION OF THE NITROGEN FRACTIONS IN MILK OF BUNAJI (WHITE FULANI) CATTLE IN A HOT AND HUMID ENVIRONMENT

One hundred milliliters of milk produced in the first 150 days of lactation of 24. Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle in Ibadan contained an average of 703, 659, 44, 557, 146, 21, 27 and 54 mg total nitrogen (TN), protein nitrogen (PN), non-protein nitrogen (NPN), casein nitrogen (CN), non-casein nitrogen NCN), proteoses-peptone nitrogen (PPN), lactoglobulin nitrogen (LGN) and lactalbumin nitrogen (LAN) respectively. CN, NCN, PN, NPN, PPN, LGN and LAN accounted for 79.2, 20.8, 93.7, 63, 3.1, 3.9 and 7.6% of TN respectively. CN constituted 833% of PN while one-third of NCN consisted of P PN and LGN. The most abundant component of NCN was LAN which occurred twice as high as LGN. The influence of stage of lactation was significant (P < 0.05) on TN, more remarkable on PN and CN but not significant (P >005) on NCN, NPN, PPN, LGN and LAN, Only TN and CN were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated (r 0.989). The positive or negative relationships between the other nitrogen fractions were trivial.

DRY MATTER DEGRADATION CHA RACTERISTICS OF RICE STOVER WITH DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF Ficus capensis OR Alchornea cordifolia IN RUMEN FISTULATED SHEEP, GOATS OR CATTLE

Rumen dry matter degradation characteristics (soluble fraction, degradable fraction, rate of degradation and effective degradability) of leaves of two browse species (Alchornea cordifolia, Ficus capensis) and rice stover and their varying proportions (10, 20 or 30% of each browse: crop residue mixture) were evaluated in rumen fistulated West African Dwarf sheep and goats and Bunaji cattle. The forages differed (P<0.05) in soluble fraction (a) rate of degradation (c) and effective degradability (ED) but did not differ in the degradable fraction (b). Rice stover bad the highest rate of degradation and F. capensis the least. Effective degradability (ED) was highest in cattle followed by sheep and goats with a high degree of correlation among them. The inclusion of the different proportions of browse in the mixtures show some significance in a, b and ED (P<0.05). Mixture had a depressive effect on the soluble fraction of the feeds in rice stover: A. cordifolia mixtures. Degradable fraction differed mainly in F. capensis mixtures. The rate of degradation was affected mainly in sheep and cattle among the feeds in rice stover: F. capensis mixtures. The different mixtures influenced effective degradability. As with the sole feeds, ED was highest in cattle, followed by sheep and goats.

Preference traits for Bunaji cattle of nomads along Benue trough in Central Nigeria

A cross sectional study was conducted along Benue trough cutting across two states of Benue and Nasarawa in north-central Nigeria, among Fulani pastoralist, agro-pastoralist and transhumant nomads to determine preference traits in their breeding cows and bulls. One hundred and sixty five Bunaji cattle herd farmers were considered in the study which was carried out in two seasons (dry and rainy seasons). The respondents were pastoralist (26.1%), agro-pastoralist (37.4%) and transhumant nomads (36.5%). Seven specific traits were used for ranking breeding cows and five for breeding bulls. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine mean ranks of traits. Preferential traits for breeding bulls were in the order; body conformation 1.46, temperament 2.01, disease resistant 2.46, walkability 2.89 and horn 3.84. While for breeding cows were milk yield 1.62, reproductive efficiency 1.92, body size 2.23, temperament 3.48, fat/butter content 4.28, disease resistant 4.71 and mothering ability 5.63. There were no significant variations on traits preference for breeding cow between the agro pastoralist/transhumant and pastoralist nomads except for fat/butter content which had more value to the pastoralist nomad. Similarly for the breeding bulls which had disease resistance having higher values to the pastoralist nomads. It was concluded that trait preference in breeding bulls and cows was not influenced (p>0.05) by production system. The information generated from this study can help assure that Bunaji breed improvement interventions are consistent with the needs of the intended beneficiaries.

Performance of traditionally-managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle under smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria

The remarkable reduction in tsetse fly and its vector trypanosomosis in the South-West zone of Nigeria have led to the development of smallholder dairy production which is predominantly practised by the Fulani agropastoralists in the zone. This study was conducted by the administration of structured questionnaires to farmers in the Derived savannah area of Oyo State in the South-West zone of Nigeria with aim of assessing the performance of traditionally managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle in this newly encroached zone by the Fulani pastoralists from the northern parts of the country. The survey showed that milk offtake or partial milk yield (0.6 kg/day), pregnancy rate (53.2%), calving rate (49.5%), calf crop (37.11%) and body condition score (4.3) were low and typical of tropical breeds of cattle. Also, average age at first calving (47.8 months) and calving interval (18.1 months) were on the high side. Majority (80%) of the dams produced their young ones during the wet season while a few ones (20%) calved during the dry season. Diarrhoea (84%), helminthosis (72%) and sand eating (64%) were the major diseases of calves in wet and dry season, respectively; whereas in addition to diarrhoea and sand eating, low milk production (90%) was peculiar to adult cattle in dry season. Calves’ overall mortality was 24.11% with majority (73.77%) occurring during the first week of life; it was higher in wet season (86.89%) compared to the dry season (13.11%). Overall mortality for adult cattle was 5.83% with the mortality, in contrast to the calves’ mortality, being higher in dry season (69.39%) than in wet season (30.61%), and the females (91.84%) more susceptible than the males (8.16%). The results indicate that the performance of traditionally-managed cattle in smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria is poor and below their genetic potentials due to poor management.

Effect of feeding concentrate diets containing graded levels of groundnut haulms on nutrient composition of diets and performance of Friesian x Bunaji heifers

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding concentrate diets containing varying levels of groundnut haulms (GH) on intake and growth performance of Friesian x Bunaji cattle. Four concentrate mixed diets formulated to contain on average 14.45- 14.65% crude protein. Groundnut haulms in the concentrate diets were on nitrogen basis at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels with control diet having 0% inclusion of GH. Twenty Friesian x Bunaji prepubertal heifers aged 14-16 months and weighing 160-180kg were randomly divided into four groups of five animals each and were allotted to the four experimental diets in a completely randomized design. Data were collected in order to determined Dry matter intake (DMI), Average daily intake (ADI), Average Daily Gain (ADG) Feed to gain ratio (FCE) and cost benefit analysis. Result showed that varying the levels of GH in concentrate diet significantly (P<0.05) increased DMI at 25%; this value was similar (P>0.005) to those at 0 and 50%. At 75% DMI of concentrate significantly declined. The ADG of heifers fed concentrate mixture containing 0% GH were significantly (P< 0.05) higher; although, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between those fed 0 and 25%. Increasing GH level in concentrate diet to 75% depressed gain and ADG of heifers. Heifers fed 0 and 25% GH levels had similar feed to gain ratio but were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those fed 50 and 75% levels. Net benefit declined across treatments with increased levels of GH in concentrate diet up to 50%, although they remained positive indicating it was beneficial replacing concentrate diet with GH. The net benefit of feeding GH at 0% GH (control) over 25% is fi 37384.9; 0% over 50% is fi 91084 and over 75% is fi 83246.60. It is concluded that GH supplementation on Gamba hay appears to improve the feed intake, growth and efficiency of concentrate utilization by heifers at 25% level and cost of concentrates in heifers generally.

Morphological structure and body indices for Bunaji and Friesian-Bunaji crosses

The objective of this study was to provide information on the morphological structure and body indices of Bunaji cattle and their crosses. Body weight and eight (8) morphological traits of 72 Bunaji and 60 Friesian x Bunaji cows were measured. The morphological parameters were used to calculate nine body indices. The analyzed morphological traits showed that the crossbred cows were heavier with larger morphological structure than the pure breed; however, both animals slightly slope forward although not very unbalanced. The correlation coefficients amongst the morphological traits in Bunaji were all positive and significant (P< 0.05 – 0.01) except for correlation of Rump Width (RW) with Body Depth (BD: r = 0.352) and Body Length (BL: r =0.210). However, the correlation coefficients amongst the morphological traits in the crosses were generally weak. The strongest correlation was observed between BW and HG (0.926) and between BW and RW (r = 0.946) in Bunaji and their crosses, respectively. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the morphometric traits extracted one component with total variance of 67.67% in Bunaji and two components with total variance of 74.30% in the crosses. The first factor in each case had higher loadings for variables relating to body size, while the second PC in the crosses had high association with traits that reflect the body shape of the animal. The HG and RW were the single most informative morphological traits for estimation of BW in Bunaji and Friesian x Bunaji, respectively. In Conclusion, the Bunaji cattle are medium size animals, although they are used for both meat and milk production (multipurpose) there morphology showed some resemblance to milk type animal, thus suggesting a possible genetic improvement of these animals for dairy purpose.

Molecular occurrence of trypanosomes, erythrocyte and serum sialic acid concentrations of Muturu and Bunaji cattle in Benue State, Nigeria

One hundred each, of Muturu and Bunaji cattle were screened, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for trypanosomes in Makurdi and Gboko Local Government Areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Erythrocyte surface sialic acid (ESSA) and free serum sialic acid (FSSA) concentrations were determined and compared in both breeds with the aim of providing baseline data for research and diagnostic purposes. Five per cent (5%) and 23% of the Muturu and Bunaji cattle, respectively, were positive for trypanosomes. The result at p=0.005 was significantly different, with p value of 0.0002 and odd ratio of 0.1762. The Trypanosoma species circulating in Benue State, as detected in the two breeds of cattle, were Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei and T. evansi. This study, therefore, reports for the first time a natural infection of cattle with T. evansi and the use of a novel PCR in the diagnosis of trypanosome infections in cattle in Benue State, Nigeria. The determination of the ESSA and FSSA concentrations in Muturu cattle in Nigeria is also reported for the first time. The Muturu cattle have a significantly higher ESSA than the Bunaji cattle, this may be responsible for their relative trypanotolerance.

Haematology and some serum biochemistry of apparently healthy Muturu and Bunaji breeds of cattle in Benue State, Nigeria

The haematological and serum biochemical values of 100 Muturu cattle and 100 Bunaji cattle were studied in two local government areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Haematocrit, red blood cell count, haemoglobin, total white blood cell count, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were significantly higher in Muturu cattle than the Bunaji cattle. However, there were no significant differences in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil counts, albumin, urea, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in the two breeds of cattle. Lower values of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and platelet counts were observed in the Muturu cattle. Similarly, total protein and globulin values were significantly lower in Bunaji than Muturu cattle while the converse is the case with aspartate aminotransferase. The haematological parameters of the two breeds were within the recognized reference intervals for cattle. This study reports for the first time the haematological and some biochemical parameters for Muturu cattle in Benue State.

Performance of improved dairy cattle technologies among farmers in Northern Nigeria

This study evaluated the performance of different dairy cattle technologies adopted by dairy farmers in 16 States of Northern Nigeria. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select the study area due to the presence of improved dairy farms in the area. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 61 registered improved dairy farmers in the area. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, F-test and gross margin analysis. The majority of improved dairy cattle farmers were in their middle age, majority of them (60%) have university degrees, had annual income of about ₦ 20, 000, 000.00. It also revealed low extension contact among dairy farmers. Dairy production was highly profitable with a gross margin of ₦ 11, 912.54, ₦ 6, 383.23 and ₦ 2, 547.99 per dairy cow for exotic, crossbred and Bunaji cattle. In terms of return per Naira invested, net gains of N10.20 was obtained for Frisian breed, crossbred (Friesian ×Bunaji) ₦ 2.70 and Bunaij, was ₦ 1.50. It was recommended that dairy farmers should be sensitized and encouraged to adopt exotic breed or crossbreed Bunaji cattle with Frisian bulls or artificially inseminate female Bunaji cattle. The study also recommended that extension workers should endeavour to link up farmers with sources of improved dairy cattle technologies. Keywords: Performance, dairy cattle, Northern Nigeria

Performance of traditionally-managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle under smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria

The remarkable reduction in tsetse fly and its vector trypanosomosis in the South-West zone of Nigeria have led to the development of smallholder dairy production which is predominantly practised by the Fulani agropastoralists in the zone. This study was conducted by the administration of structured questionnaires to farmers in the Derived savannah area of Oyo State in the South-West zone of Nigeria with aim of assessing the performance of traditionally managed Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle in this newly encroached zone by the Fulani pastoralists from the northern parts of the country. The survey showed that milk offtake or partial milk yield (0.6 kg/day), pregnancy rate (53.2%), calving rate (49.5%), calf crop (37.11%) and body condition score (4.3) were low and typical of tropical breeds of cattle. Also, average age at first calving (47.8 months) and calving interval (18.1 months) were on the high side. Majority (80%) of the dams produced their young ones during the wet season while a few ones (20%) calved during the dry season. Diarrhoea (84%), helminthosis (72%) and sand eating (64%) were the major diseases of calves in wet and dry season, respectively; whereas in addition to diarrhoea and sand eating, low milk production (90%) was peculiar to adult cattle in dry season. Calves’ overall mortality was 24.11% with majority (73.77%) occurring during the first week of life; it was higher in wet season (86.89%) compared to the dry season (13.11%). Overall mortality for adult cattle was 5.83% with the mortality, in contrast to the calves’ mortality, being higher in dry season (69.39%) than in wet season (30.61%), and the females (91.84%) more susceptible than the males (8.16%). The results indicate that the performance of traditionally-managed cattle in smallholder dairy production systems in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria is poor and below their genetic potentials due to poor management. Keywords : Major diseases, mortality, milk offtake, reproductive performance, season

Multivariate analysis of phenotypic differentiation in Bunaji and Sokoto Gudali cattle

The study aimed at examining morphometric differentiation in two Nigerian breeds of cattle using multifactorial discriminant analyses. Ten morphological traits (withers height, rump height,chest circumference, body length, face length, tail length, rump length, head width, rump width and shoulder width) of 224 Bunaji and 87 Sokoto Gudali cattle were measured. The animals, which were aged 2.5−3.6 years, were subjected to extensive management system. The linear type traits of Sokoto Gudali cattle were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of their Bunaji counterparts, with the exception of body length and face length respectively. The stepwise discriminant analysis gave a better resolution as only three variables, rump width, withers height and face length were more discriminating in separating the two cattle breeds. The Mahalanobis distance (7.19) between the two cattle populations was high and significant, which is an indication that they belong to genetically different groups. This was complemented by the result of the Nearest Neighbour Discriminant Analysis, where 85.48% of Bunaji cattle were classified into their source population while 96.55% of their Sokoto Gudali counterparts were correctly assigned into their source genetic group. The present phenotypic information will be the basis for the establishment of further characterization, conservation and selection strategies for the two Nigerian breeds of cattle.

Effects of feed supplementation and helminth control on productivity of Bunaji cattle under agropastoral management system

Effects of feed supplementation and helminth control on productivity of Bunaji cattle under agropastoral management system

Multivariate analysis of phenotypic differentiation in Bunajiand Sokoto Gudalicattle

The study aimed at examining morphometric differentiation in two Nigerian breeds of cattle using multifactorial discriminant analyses. Ten morphological traits (withers height, rump height, chest circumference, body length, face length, tail length, rump length, head width, rump width and shoulder width) of 224 Bunaji and 87 Sokoto Gudali cattle were measured. The animals, which were aged 2.5-3.6 years, were subjected to extensive management system. The linear type traits of Sokoto Gudali cattle were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of their Bunaji counterparts, with the exception of body length and face length respectively. The stepwise discriminant analysis gave a better resolution as only three variables, rump width, withers height and face length were more discriminating in separating the two cattle breeds. The Mahalanobis distance (7.19) between the two cattle populations was high and significant, which is an indication that they belong to genetically different groups. This was complemented by the result of the Nearest Neighbour Discriminant Analysis, where 85.48% of Bunaji cattle were classified into their source population while 96.55% of their Sokoto Gudali counterparts were correctly assigned into their source genetic group. The present phenotypic information will be the basis for the establishment of further characterization, conservation and selection strategies for the two Nigerian breeds of cattle.

Research Note: Over Night Faecal Production by Bunaji Cattle Grazing Natural Pastures in the Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Research Note: Over Night Faecal Production by Bunaji Cattle Grazing Natural Pastures in the Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Bovine trypanosomosis in sedentary cattle at previously assumed trypanosoma-free Jos plateau, Nigeria

The occurrence of trypanosomosis was investigated in sedentary Bunaji (Bos indicus) cattle grazing at 5 different villages of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Two hundred cattle was examined, 76 (38.0%) of which had trypanosome infection. Three species, Trypanosoma vivax (78.9%), T. Congolense (15.8%), and T. brucei (5.3%) were encountered. More males (42.9%) than females (31.8%) were affected while animals of 3-5 years age cohort had the highest infection rate of 46.7%. The existence of trypanosome infections in sedentary cattle populations of the Jos Plateau seem to suggest that the area which was previously assumed to be Trypanosoma-free may have acquired infection status. Key Words: Trypanosomosis, Bovine, Sedentary, Plateau State, Nigeria. (Nigerian Veterinary Journal: 2003 24(1): 33-36)