Milk Yield Traits of Holstein Friesian x Bunaji Crossbred Cows with Different Holstein Friesian Inheritance

The objective of the study was to determine the optimum Holstein Friesian (HF) inheritance for an improved milk yield of HF x Bunaji (BJ) crossbred cows. Data of HF and BJ dairy cows with 50, 75, 87.5 and 100% HF inheritance kept at the West African Milk Company (WAMCO) farm in Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria, between 1998 and 2004 were used for the study. The independent variables considered included genotype, method of service, calf birth season and parity, while Total Milk Yield (TMY), Lactation Length (LL) and adjusted 305 days milk yield (Adj. 305-DMY) were the dependent variables. The data were analyzed with the General Linear Model (GLM) and where differences were observed, the least square mean obtained for the effects were compared using the Probability of Difference (PDIFF) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Results showed that calf birth season and parity had significant (p<0.05) influence on TMY and LL. Only parity exerted a significant (p<0.05) effect on Adj. 305-DMY. Cows lactating during the early and late dry seasons produced significantly (p<0.05) more milk than those lactating in the early and late wet seasons. TMY was highest in the 2nd and 3rd parities.