Milk Yield, Reproductive Performance and Milk Composition Across Crossbreeding Levels in Dairy Cows from the Peri-Urban Area of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
TRAORE Boureima *
Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso and Centre Universitaire de DORI, Université Thomas SANKARA, Ouagadougou 12 BP 417, Burkina Faso.
ZARE Yacouba
Laboratoire de Recherche en Production et Santé Animales (LaRePSA), Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Ouagadougou 01 BP 476, Burkina Faso.
OUEDRAOGO Dominique
Centre Universitaire de Ziniaré, Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso.
GNANDA Isidore Bila
Laboratoire de Recherche en Production et Santé Animales (LaRePSA), Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Ouagadougou 01 BP 476, Burkina Faso.
KERE Michel
Institut du Développement Rural, Université Nazi BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 1091, Burkina Faso.
TRAORE Ibrahima
Centre Universitaire de Banfora, Université Nazi BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 1091, Burkina Faso.
KONATE Drissa
Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso.
BAYILI Piayiboury Marie Théodore
Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso.
OUEDRAOGO Abdoulaye
École Nationale d’Élevage et de Santé Animale (ENESA), Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Eau et des Ressources Animales et Halieutiques (MAERAH), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
ZONGO Moussa
Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso.
BAYALA Balé
Laboratoire de Physiologie Animale, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The milk production and reproductive performance of crossbred cows under tropical conditions in the peri-urban area of Ouagadougou were assessed in two phases from February to December 2023. The first phase comprised interviews with 60 dairy farmers to evaluate the reproductive and dairy performance of crossbred cows. The second phase was a field trial at a research station to evaluate the effects of crossbreeding levels, including first (F1/G1) and second (F2/G2) generations, on dairy performance and milk chemical composition. The animals were crossbreeds obtained through progressive absorption crossing between local zebu breeds (Fulani, Goudali and Azawak) and exotic dairy breeds (Montbeliarde, Holstein, Brown Swiss and Tarentaise). All producers reported that the crossbred cows had adapted to local climatic conditions, and 76.66% of farms practiced controlled breeding through artificial insemination. F1 crossbred cows produced mean yields of 5.70 ± 0.75, 6.23 ± 0.87 and 8.80 ± 0.80 L/day for Montbeliarde, Brown Swiss and Holstein crosses, respectively. Mean milk yields for G2 cows ranged from 7.15 ± 0.98 to 13.82 ± 1.41 L/day. A comparative analysis during the first six months postpartum showed lower milk production in G2 crossbreeds with 75% Brown Swiss blood than in second-generation crossbreeds with 75% Montbeliarde and 75% Holstein blood. According to live weight, mean daily milk production was 7.67 ± 1.19, 11.65 ± 0.91 and 11.55 ± 0.95 L for heavier cows [450–550 kg [, [350–450 kg [ and lighter cows [250–350 kg [, respectively (p < 0.001). Protein, fat and total dry matter contents did not vary significantly by cross type. However, lactose content increased significantly between the first and second generations, with values of 4.42 ± 0.16 and 5.16 ± 0.40 for Brown Swiss, 4.35 ± 0.58 and 4.99 ± 0.51 for Montbeliarde, and 4.16 ± 0.11 and 5.36 ± 0.41 for Holstein. Overall, G2 crossbreeds, especially those with 75% Holstein and Montbeliarde blood, achieved the highest milk yields without adverse effects on milk composition. These results support controlled crossbreeding and artificial insemination as strategies for improving dairy productivity in Burkina Faso.
Keywords: Crossbred cattle, controlled reproduction, milk production, zebu, Ouagadougou, milk