EVALUATION OF WORKABILITY TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH HANDLING AND MILKING OF BUNAJI COWS
EVALUATION OF WORKABILITY TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH HANDLING AND MILKING OF BUNAJI COWS
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2022
Authors
SUNDAY, LOT HGYAB
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The study was carried out to explore the phenotypic relationships and dependencies among workability traits (temperament and milkability) that significantly affect the function of Bunaji cows. Fifty-one (51) multiparous, non-pregnant, lactating cows were used for this study. These cows in their third stage of lactation were sorted from four different herds of the same farm. The cows were tagged and certified clinically fit by animal health personnel. The techniques implored to assess the animals’ workability traits were average milk flow-rate and subjective milkability score for milkability trait; and milking, pen, chute, chute exit score and chute exit speed for temperament traits. Data of milkability, temperament, udder and body linear measurements in the experiment were analysed using SAS (9.0) version. Computations using means procedure were done to: determine the means and standard error for each trait; and coefficients of variation (CV) to determine the variability in the population sample. Significant differences in means were compared using the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to determine the degrees of relationship among and between variables for all animals within each temperament and milkability groups. Further exploration using principal components analysis (PCA) was used to determine the relationships of the traits. The result of these findings showed that: majority of the cattle handles perceived the temperament of Bunaji cattle to be moderately reactive. Milk yield (MY), rear udder height (RUH), rear udder width (RUW); udder depth (UD); central ligament (CL), fore teat-placement (FTP), tail lengths (TL2), were significantly (p<0.05) affected by milkability (AFR).Temperament traits had significant (p<0.05) effect on exit speed, milk yield, milkability and body measurements. Milkability was significantly correlated with RUH, TL, FTP, UD, CL and milking duration (D). Chute temperament score (CT), chute exit score (CES) and chute exit speed (FS) were highly (P< 0.01) correlated temperament traits as they had high significant loadings on only one principal components (PCs); similarly the milk flow-rate traits and milkability score (AMS). The correlations between temperament and milkability traits were not significant (p>0.05). The conclusions were: Bunaji cows with very fast milkability scores (MS1) had the highest flow-rate and milk yield; Bunaji cows with milking temperament score 1 (very calm) produced more milk than those of the milking temperament score 3 (moderately calm). Bunaji cows that jump while exiting the chute at a higher speed (score 5) were more reactive and dangerous than those that ran (score 3), trot (score 2) and walked (score 1). PCA could be used for the reduction in the number of type traits used in selection for subjective and objective milkability and temperament. Animprovement on milkability traits would significantly reduce the total time of milking. It is thus recommended that: Farmers and dairy producers should be encouraged to rear cows that have high milk flow trait; handlers need to be conscious of temperaments of cattle to ensure safety. This study should be replicated for other breeds of cattle.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA