Tropentag, September 14 - 16, 2010 in Zurich "World Food System – A Contribution from Europe"

Growth Performance and Milk Yield of Crossbred Sahelian Goats in the Semi-arid Zone of Mali

¹Czech University of Life Sciences, Animal Science and Food Processing in Tropics and Subtropics, Czech Republic
²Institute of Rural Economy (IER), Laboratory of Animal Nutrition (Sotuba), Mali

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding Sahelian goats with Anglo Nubian bucks on breed type, litter size, sex, and the growth performance of the kids as well as the milk yield of does from birth to 100 days of age. The study was carried out at the regional center of agricultural research of Sam\'e (CRRA/Kayes, Mali). Forty four does were randomised and divided into two groups [Sahelian Goat (SG; n=22) and F1 Anglo Nubian × SG (ANSG; n=22)]. Then, ninety kids of three breeds were allocated to three groups (SG; n=30), F1 (ANSG; n = 30) and B1 backcross kids (F1AN; n = 30)]. Upon kidding, does and their offspring were kept in a pen until three weeks of age; they then stayed in an indoor system for 45 days after which they were permit to outdoor at suitable weather. Every category received a nutritional supplementation according to season (rainy, cold dry and dry hot). Live weight of kids and average daily milk production of does were recorded weekly throughout pre-weaning. The effect of all factors on birth beight, growth performance of kids, and milk production of does, was determined using F-test (P < 0.001).
Birth weight and body weight of kids were significantly affected by genotype, litter size, and sex (P < 0.05-0.001). Live weights of kids were greater (P < 0.001) in B1, compared to F1 and SG at all ages. The growth performance was greater in B1 kids until 100 days (131.9±8.12 g d^-1; P < 0.001). Good correlation was found between overall birth weight and live weight at 100 days of age (r=0.85). Similarly, daily milk production was significantly affected by genotype (p < 0.001) throughout the observation period; therefore, the total milk production at 100 days for F1 was 103% of that of SG.
The higher milk production of F1 crossbreeds could be well exploited in rural areas with good effect on farmers' revenue. The better growth performance of B1 does should be further investigated for probable economic impact on farm income.

Keywords: Anglo-Nubian, crossbreeding, growth performance, Mali, milk production, sahelian goat

Contact Address: Mohamed Momani Shaker, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Animal Science and Food Processing in Tropics and Subtropics, Kamýcká Ul., 16521 Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail: momaniits.czu.cz