MILK PRODUCTION POTENTIALS OF HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN CATTLE IN THE DERIVED-SAVANNAH ZONE

Abstract

Some 78 Holstein-Friesian cattle in a private commercial farm in the derived savanna zone of Northern Cross River State were used in the study that reported the milk production potentials of Friesian cattle in the tropics. The Cows were stall-fed with supplementary concentrates and forage within the 306-day study period. Their milk records showed production levels ranging from 0.00 to 14.92£0.83 kg milk per cow per day. Individual cow milk yield as high as 15.77 kg/day (P<0.05) was obtained in June. Production dwindled with the onset of the dry season while milk production levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) as lactation progressed. During the period, the environmental temperature varied between 23.08 -1.90^oC and 38.35 0.75°C while the average relative humidity was between 26% and 95%. The main disease problem encountered was mastitis. Lactation levels were still fair up to 214th day of Lactation.