Effect of parity and lactation stage on milk yield, udder and teat morphometric traits of Friesian-Bunaji crossed cows

Abstract

Abstract. Data for this study were collected from 40 multiparous (F1) Friesian x Bunaji cows at the dairy herd of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Shika, Nigeria, to assess the effect of parity and lactation stage on milk yield, udder and teat morphometric traits of Friesian-Bunaji crossed cows as well the relationships between the parameters measured. The data collected include udder circumference (UC), udder depth (UD), udder width (UW), fore teat length (FTL), and hind teat length (HTL) and were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The means with significant difference were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test modelled in SAS (2004) statistical package and the correlation analysis was performed using correlation procedure in SAS to identify relationships between morphometric traits and milk yield. The results obtained showed that parity had significant (p0.05) difference in all the parameters except milk yield. The early lactation stage had significantly (p0.05) difference. Based on the results in this study, it can be concluded that parity has effect on udder circumference, hind teat length and milk yield with second parity having the highest milk yield 8.60±0.72 litre/day), while lactation stage had no effect in all the morphometric traits except on milk yield with the early stage having the highest milk yield (8.15±0.35 litre/day). The second parity and early lactation stage are recommended for high milk yield in Friesian x Bunaji cows in the studied area.

Keywords

• parity
• lactation stage
• milk yield
• udder
• teat
• morphometric
• friesian-bunaji cows