Authors : G. Maria Nassuna Musoke , J.D. Kabasa and M. John King
Abstract: The hypothesis that environmental constraints in the warm tropical Central Uganda depress milk production of Friesians on smallholdings was tested using records from 85 small farms around Kampala. Daily Milk Yield (DMY), Lactation Milk Yield (LMY) and the shape of the lactation curve were compared with those of a typical Friesian cow in the temperate zones. Differences yields of shaded/Zero Grazed (ZG) and non-shaded/Open Grazed (OG) cows demonstrated the microenvironment effect on performance. Nutrition effects were evaluated by comparing the variation of monthly DMY with that variation in monthly total rainfall. Lactation curves were generated by plotting mean DMY against time in months after calving. The overall mean DMY and LMY/cow/day of lactation were 60 and 65%, respectively of those of a Friesian in the temperate zone. The lactation curve of Friesians in Central Uganda was characterised by a transient peak followed by a consistent drop in daily yield compared to the typical lactation curve of a temperate dairy cow that is characterised by a peak at 5-6 weeks followed by a gradual decline. ZG cows had longer lactation lengths, higher LMY and higher DMY than OG cows. Least squares mean DMY was 12.8±0.1L and 10.6±0.1L litres for ZG and OG cows respectively. So, environmental constraints depress production of Friesians on small farms in Central Uganda and although cows may benefit from shading, production is generally below the genetic potential of the Friesian genotype.
G. Maria Nassuna Musoke , J.D. Kabasa and M. John King , 2007. Lactation Curve of Temperate Friesians on Smallholder Farms in Tropical Central Uganda . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 950-954.