OBSERVATIONS ON THE WHITE FULANI (BUNAJI) ZEBU CATTLE OF NORTHERN NIGERIA IN A SOUTHERN NIGERIA ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Sixteen lactating white Fulani cows blocked in fours according to stage of lactation were used in assessing milk yield and composition and herbage consumption from four tropical grass/legume pasture mixtures over four-28 day periods in an orthogonal 4 x 4 latin square design. Available herbage dry matter averaged 29 -70kg/cow/day but the cows only consumed an average of 9.64kg/day. Crude fibre content of the herbage was generally high (range 38.7 to 39.2%) whilst organic matter digestibility was low (range 60.7 to 65.7%). Differences in milk yield and composition, except percentage milk protein which was significant at 5% level, were not statistically significant. Indigenous cattle, grazing improved tropical pastures under the Southern Nigerian environment, have been shown to be capable of consuming and digesting enough herbage to provide adequate nutrients for both maintenance and substantial liveweight gains during a greater part of the year (Ogor & Henrich, 1961: Mcllroy, 1962; Okorie, Hill & Mcllroy 1965; Oyenuga 1968 and Olubajo, 1969). By inference such pastures would be expected to provide sufficient energy protein and other nutrients for maintenance and milk production of cattle producing about 6.8 to 9 kg milk per day. Such an assumption, however, lacks validity, since there are at present, no data on the performance of milk producting cattle grazing improved pasture under local conditions. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the consumption and utilization of some improved tropical grass/legume pasture mixtures by the lactating indigenous white Falani Zebu Cattle