REPRODUCTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN CATTLE UNDER TROPICAL CONDITIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SUDAN- A REVIEW

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1 Agric. Rev., 29 (1) : 68-73, 2008 REPRODUCTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN CATTLE UNDER TROPICAL CONDITIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SUDAN- A REVIEW I. MK. Abdel Rahman and T.A. Alemam Al zaeim Al azhari University-Khartoum North, Sudan ABSTRACT The reproductive and productive performance of exotic breeds in tropical countries is different from what they usually achieve in their original home-land. This is due to the harsh environmental conditions and different climatic conditions beside the rather poor managemental systems. The Holstein-Friesian (HF) cattle can be bred and maintained in tropical environments, although performing less well than Friesians maintained in temperate climates. The observed performance of Holstein-Friesian (HF) under Sudan conditions is commendable. The means for age at first calving, calving interval, service period, number of services per conception, lactation milk yield, daily milk yield, lactation length and dry period are 29.8 months, days, days, 2.3, litres, 15.1 litres, days and 90.0 days, respectively. In the tropics, and most developing countries, the productive and reproductive potentials of indigenous cattle are low compared to temperate breeds. Hence several efforts are made to increase livestock production through breeding strategies and policies that encouraged the introduction and breeding of exotic temperate breeds (Stetshwaelo and Adebambo 1992). These imported exotic breeds were either maintained at research stations or institutional farm centres that were designed to provide comparable management at agro climatic conditions similar to their temperate environment. However, the animals were introduced into the high stress agro-ecosystems of the tropics often too rapidly to allow for natural selection in terms of adaptive and or productive traits (Hammond and Leitch 1996). In Sudan, despite the huge number of cattle, milk production is low due to low genetic potential of indigenous cattle breeds. For that reason some state and privately owned enterprises in Sudan have imported Holstein- Friesian for the development of the dairy industry especially the intensive milk production is targeted. The performance of Holstein-Friesian under Sudan conditions is a potential lead to the possibility that this breed can be integrated in the tropics. These animals could, over the years, acquire adaptive features for tropical conditions. There is no doubt that, aside the tropical harsh conditions; the poor management practices employed by the local farmers will often affect the productivity of these animals. Latthammer (1989) reported that 80% variations in fertility and milk yields of dairy cows were attributed to environmental factors. The Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed is known for high productivity under temperate climates. The high productivity of Holstein- Friesian in temperate climates raises the question of how much of this superiority in production is maintained when the animals are transferred to tropical environments. The poorer performance of animals in the hot, humid tropics has generally been blamed on the hostile climate, which, through its high environmental temperatures, affects nutrition and disease (McDowell, 1972). Unimproved tropical forages are generally low in nutritive value and cannot form the basis of a feeding regime for high milk production in a hot environment (Wilkins, 1986); a Friesian cow s milk production will thus be below its genetic potential. Nor, it must be added, can poor-quality forage support good growth, satisfactory conception rates or other reproductive parameters. Furthermore, high temperatures,

2 Vol. 29, 28, No. 1, 4, Holstein-Friesian in Sudan characteristic of the tropics, adversely affect feed intake of forages already low in nutritive value as well as efficiency of feed utilization, thus leading to a further deterioration in fertility and yield as well as increased mortality. High relative humidity aggravates these effects and is also congenial to the growth and development of parasites and diseases. In spite of this, Martinez et al. (1982), working in Venezuela have asserted that acceptable reproductive efficiency and production levels can be obtained from Friesians under tropical conditions. Reproductive Traits 1. Age at First Calving (AFC) First calving marks the beginning of a cow s productive life. Age at first calving is closely related to generation interval and, therefore, influences response to selection. In temperate regions, Friesians attain puberty earlier than in the tropics (8-9 months as compared to about 20 months in the tropics) and their AFC is between months compared to about 30 months in the tropics (Zaied, 1995). Abuzaid (1999) reported that the average AFC of imported and locally born Friesian in Sudan was 24.5±1.5 and 26.1±3.2 months, respectively. Grade, farm, year, season and breed of sire significantly affected AFC. Many researchers in tropical countries have reported the mean of AFC. 2. Calving Interval (CI) Calving interval has been extensively analysed and reported. It is probably the best index of a cattle herd s reproductive efficiency. Resumption of ovarian activity in the postpartum period does not necessarily lead to conception and methods of stimulating oestrus must be considered in relation to their effect on conception (Holness et al., 1980) and, indirectly, calving intervals. The CI was significantly affected by genotype, year, season, nutrition, age and other factors like sex of the calf, placenta expulsion time and uterine pathology (Choudhuri et al., 1984). In temperate regions, CI usually ranges between 12 and 13 months (Spike and Mcedows 1973; Barr, 1975). Abuzaid (1999) reported that the mean CI of imported and locally born Friesian cows in Sudan was 16.0 and 15.9 months, respectively. Many researchers reported results about CI of Friesian cattle in tropical countries. There is general agreement that the CI is not less than 14 months. 3. Service Period (SP) This is the time from calving to the next service. The consistency of SP at the optimum level indicates regularity and stability of the reproductive status of the animal, especially the oestrus cycle. Many authors have reported the mean estimates of this trait. 3. Number of Services per Conception (NSPC) NSPC is one of the measurements for reproductive efficiency. It expresses the fertility level of the dairy herds. It is simple and easy to calculate and understand and it is a good measure of reproductive status, but still, it usually does not indicate reasons on heifers and cows that fail to conceive. The NSPC depends largely

3 70 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE DIGEST 70 AGRICUTURAL REVIEWS TABLE 1: AFC of Holstein-Friesian in some tropical countries Country Mean AFG (months) Authors Australia 33.0 Hough et al. (1990) Cameroon 30.9 Gwaza et al. (2007) Columbia 36.6 Abubakar et al. (1986) Ethiopia 29.1 Alberro (1983) Ghana 30.8 Gyawu and Agyemang (1977) India 30.1 Arora and Sharma (1980) Iraq 34.8 Kassir et al. (1969) Kenya 31.0 Ojango and Pollott (2001) Libya 27.4 Zaied (1995) Mexico 28.7 Abubakar et al. (1987) Nigeria 29.0 Knudsen and Sohael (1970) Sri Lanka 40.0 Mahadevan (1956) Uganda 40.4 Trail and Marples (1968) TABLE 2: CI of Holstein-Friesian in some tropical countries Country Mean CI (months) Authors Cameroon 13.3 Gwaza et al. (2007) Ghana 16.0 Osei et al. (1991) India 16.3 Bhat et al. (1978) Iraq 14.5 Tahir (1985) Kenya 13.3 Ojango and Pollott (2001) Libya 14.2 Salhab et al. (1997) Mexico 13.9 Abubakar et al. (1987) Nigeria 11.7 Mbap and Ngere (1989) on the breeding system used. It is higher under uncontrolled natural breeding and low where hand-mating or artificial insemination is used. The NSPC was significantly affected by herd, season, placenta expulsion time, lactation length and milk yield. The term NSPC defined by Esslement et al. (1985) as the total number of services given to a group of cows over a defined period divided by number of services which results in a diagnosed pregnancy not less than 42 days after service, with services to culled cows included. Many researchers in tropical countries have reported the mean of NSPC. Productive Traits 1. Milk Yield and Daily Milk Yield In general most of the cattle in tropics have on average an extremely low level of milk production. There are many reasons for lower productivity. Notably, these include unfavorable environmental conditions of climate, low standards of animal husbandry and prevalence of parasites and diseases. Several researchers in tropical countries investigated milk yield. 2. Lactation Length (LL) Lactation length is defined as the period between two consecutive calvings during which cows are capable of producing milk or lactating. Many researchers in tropical countries have reported the mean of lactation length. 3. Dry Period (DP) The term refers to the period of off milking. Smith (1959) stated that dry period is necessary in order to accomplish one or more of the following: a) To replenish the body with nutrients those were depleted during lactation. b) To repair and regenerate the alveolar system. c) To gain new stimulation for lactation as the result of parturition following gestation.

4 Vol. 29, 28, No. 1, 4, TABLE 3: SP of Holstein-Friesian in some tropical countries Country Mean SP (days) Authors Egypt Kassab and Salem (2000) India Gaur et al. (2007) Iraq Tahir and Maarof (1990) Libya Zaied (1995) Sudan Abuzaid (1999) TABLE 4: NSPC of Holstein-Friesian in some tropical countries Country Mean NSPC Authors Egypt 2.6 Ahmed et al. (1963) Ghana 3.4 Gyawu and Agyemang (1977) India 2.9 Mangurkar et al. (1986) Indonesia 2.5 Alamsyah (1987) Iraq 2.3 Juma et al. (1988) Mexico 2.5 Aquilar and Hinojosa (1981) Morocco 2.1 Bradely (1979) Sudan 2.8 Abuzaid (1999) TABLE 5: Daily milk yield of Holstein-Friesian in some tropical countries Country Mean daily milk yield (litres) Authors Cameroon 15.8 Gwaza et al. (2007) Egypt 13.2 Kassab and Salem (2000) Fiji 8.6 Payne (1951) Ghana 16.4 Gyawu and Agyemang (1977) India 15.4 Bhat et al. (1978) Indonesia 15.6 Alamsyah (1987) Iraq 9.1 Kassir et al. (1969) Kenya 16.7 Ojango and Pollott (2001) Libya 10.0 El-Khalil (2001) Nigeria 18.3 Knudsen and Sohael (1970) Pakistan 12.2 Hayder and Samee (2002) Sudan 15.1 Ageeb et al. (2000) Venezuela 14.8 Martinez et al. (1982) Thus an optimum dry period is essential for maximum production of milk in subsequent lactation. The standard length of dry period is a period of 60 days. Many researchers in tropical countries have reported the mean of dry period. CONCLUSION Holstein-Friesian (HF) cattle can be bred and maintained in tropical environments, although performing less well than Friesians maintained in temperate climates. In general the differences in the performance can be attributed to the difference in climatic conditions and to the interaction between the animal and the environment, which will be reflected in cow s productivity. The observed performance of Holstein- Friesian (HF) under Sudan conditions is commendable. The full expression of the genetic potentials of HF on these traits had however been restricted by the environment of Sudan. Obviously, a decision to import these exotic cattle must be based on economic or other considerations.

5 72 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE DIGEST 72 AGRICUTURAL REVIEWS TABLE 6: Lactation length of Holstein-Friesian in some tropical countries Country Mean LL (days) Authors Columbia Abubakar et al. (1986) Egypt Atil et al. (2000) India Nagarcenkar et al. (1976) Iraq Juma and Altkriti (1991) Kenya Ojango and Pollott (2001) Libya Ahmed et al. (1996) Mexico Abubakar et al. (1987) Morocco Boujenane and Bary (1981) Nigeria Mbap and Ngere (1989) Sudan Ageeb et al. (2000) Tunisia Zaied (1995) Venezuela Romero et al. (1992) TABLE 7: Dry period of Holstein-Friesian in some tropical countries Country Mean Dry period (days) Authors India 62.5 Jadan et al. (1991) Iraq Juma and Altkriti (1991) Libya 73.0 Salhab et al. (1997) Sudan 90.0 Ishag (2000) Tunisia 63.0 Djemali and Miladi (1989) Uganda 74.6 Trail and Marples (1968) The observed performance of Holstein- Friesian (HF) under Sudan conditions could be improved upon if the extension workers could uphold standard routine management practices especially during harsh environmental conditions. A mating system could be designed such that the heifers are put to the bull at a given age shortly before they attain puberty for all the farm families. The federal livestock department of Sudan can collaborate with state and privately owned enterprises to encourage the breeding, multiplication and integration of the region-bred Holstein-Friesian within the region. This may allow the animal develop adaptive and productive potentials against the region s environment over time. REFERENCES Abubakar, B.Y. et al. (1986). J. Dairy Sci., 69(4): Abubakar, B.Y. et al. (1987). Anim. Breed. Abstr., 55: Trop. Agric., 64(1): Abuzaid, A.H. (1999). M. Sc. Thesis, University of Khartoum, Sudan. Ageeb, A.G. et al. (2000). Trop. Anim. Health and Prod., 32(1): Ahmed, S. et al. (1963). J. Anim. Prod. United Arab Republic 111(2): Ahmed, M.K. et al. (1996). El Mukhtar Sci., 3: Alamsyah, I. (1987). AGRIS Abstr. AOAD. Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. Alberro, M. (1983). Anim Prod., 37: Aquilar, C.J. and Hinojosa, C.J.A. (1981). Anim. Breed. Abstr., 52: Arora, D.N. and Sharma, J.S. (1980). Indian J. Dairy. Sci., 35: Atil, H. et al. (2000). Archiv Fur Tierzucht 43(2): Barr, H.L. (1975). J. Dairy Sci., 58: Bhat, P.N. et al. (1978). Indian J. Anim. Sci., 48(9): Boujenane, I. and Bary, A.M. (1981). Anim. Breed. Abstr., 49(6): Bradely, M. (1979). Anim. Breed. Abstr., 46(6): Choudhuri, G. et al. (1984). Indian Vet. J., 61: Djemali Berger, P.J. and Miladi, D. (1989). J. Dairy Sci., 72(1):

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