MILK-PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF NDAMA CATTLE KEPT UNDER VILLAGE MANAGEMENT IN THE GAMBIA

Our objective was to quantify the milk production of N'Dama cattle kept under village conditions as part of an epidemiological study designed to identify production constraints and to develop strategies to improve livestock productivity of farmers with small holdings. Milk and component yields were monitored monthly by measurement of milk extracted for human use (milk offtake) plus that consumed by the calf, estimated from body weight changes. Least squares analyses of 668 lactations recorded over 4 yr gave mean lactation length, 420 d; milk offtake, 404.3 kg; fat, 5.1%; protein, 3.2%; calf weaning weight, 88.1 kg; and calving interval, 641 d. A productivity index incorporating milk offtake, calf weaning weight, calving rate, and viability gave a mean annual 140.6 kg of weaner calf plus the weight equivalent of milk offtake per 100 kg of cow metabolic weight. The index was higher than that recorded for larger Zebu (Bos indicus) cattle managed under similar production systems elsewhere in Africa. These results show that the trypanotolerant N'Dama cattle appear to be more productive than previously thought and should therefore be considered when promoting livestock development in Africa, especially in tsetse-infested areas where other breeds cannot survive.