MILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF DAIRY CATTLE DURING DRY SEASON IN SELECTED DAIRY FARMS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the milk yield and composition of dairy cattle of different locations during dry season in selected dairy farms in Kano state. One hundred and twenty lactating cows (different stages of lactation) include Bunaji, Bokoloji, Fresian x Bunaji were used, ten from each twelve dairy farms to assess milk yield and composition. Daily milk yield was recorded for two months. Five milk samples from each farm were analysed for its composition. Danbatta farm was the best in average daily milk yield (ADMY) of 3.86l, Dantube farm was the lowest of 2.49l which differ (p<0.001), Imawa arewa, Asibitin tafasa and Lautaye farms didn’t vary other farms differ. Fat(%) did not vary in all the farms, TS(%) Total solid, TA(%) Titrable acidity, CP(%) Crude protein, Ash(%), SNF(%) Solid non fat differ (p<0.001). Tsaunin fulani farm was the best in Fat(%) 4.26, Asibitin tafasa farm was the lowest of 3.84. Lautaye was the best in TS(%) 57.2, Dakatsalle was the lowest of 38.8. Imawa arewa was the best TA(%) of 0.38, Dakatsalle, Kuki and shinkafi farms are the lowest of 0.29. Imawa arewa, Danbatta and Kwanar dumawa farms are the best in CP(%) 4.24, Kuki farm was the lowest of 3.46. Dantube farm was the best in Ash(%) of 0.54, Dakatsalle, Kuki are the lowest of 0.32. Lautaye was the best in SNF(%) 52.96, Dakatsalle farm was the lowest of 34.6. Fat(%) differ (p<0.05), TS(%) (p<0.001) among the breeds while their ADMY, TA(%), CP(%), Ash(%), SNF(%) did not vary. Bunaji was the best in Fat(%) of 4.22, TS(%) 50.2, SNF(%) 45.74 with ADMY of 2.74l. Fresian x Bunaji was superior in CP(%) 4.24, lowest in Fat(%) 3.88, Ash(%) 0.44, TS(%) 39.2, SNF(%) 35.32 with the best ADMY of 4.01l. Bokoloji was superior in Ash(%) of 0.47 lowest in TA(%) 0.31 with ADMY of 2.67l. Therefore, Danbatta farm, Fresian x Bunaji with the best milk yield, Tsaunin fulani farm with the best Fat(%), Lautaye farm TS(%), Imawa arewa TA(%), Imawa arewa, Danbatta and Kwanar dumawa farms CP(%), Dantube farm Ash(%), Lautaye farm SNF(%), Bunaji breed with the best Fat(%), TS(%), TA(%), SNF(%), Bokoloji breed Ash(%), Fresian x Bunaji CP(%) was recommended. Milk yield and composition varied between dairy breeds, herds of the same breed and even between individual cows of a breed.