Analysis of Milk and Biometric Traits of Brown Swiss Cattle in High Arid Climate
Oludayo Michael Akinsola *
Department of Theriogenology and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Nigeria.
Dorcas John Jirgi
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, P.M.B 135, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
Amos Adedamola Ogundeji Ogundeji
Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Nigeria, U.S. Embassy, Abuja, Nigeria.
Madaki Omammeh Shuaib
School of Environmental Studies, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Nigeria.
Adebayo Waheed Ismail
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Environmental Studies, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Nigeria.
Louis Ugwu
Department of Biology, School of Science, Federal College of Education, Katsina, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The aim of the research was to estimate the genetic parameters for milk and conformation traits in Brown Swiss cattle breed. The data comprised 2,059 daily milk yield records of 404 Brown Swiss cattle that calved between 2001 and 2015. The total number of sires, dams and animal record extracted from the pedigree file were 98, 356 and 809 respectively. Heritability estimates was 0.22 for milk yield while body type traits ranged from 0.10 in central ligament through 0.48 in chest width. Repeatability estimates were low to high between milk yield and conformational traits. Overall the heritabilities of all traits were moderate to high except body condition score and chest ligament, these indicated that most traits in this herd can be improved by selective breeding.
Keywords: Arid climate, milk, heritability estimate, Brown Swiss