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Milk production of local cow
breeds
Since the National Union of
mini-dairies and milk producers in Burkina Faso was born last
year, we have become increasingly interested in looking at the
performance of local breeds of milk cows. We have also
undertaken some research on the ways and means open to livestock
farmers who want to improve the fodder they give their animals.
And we came across one surprise after another.
Surprise number 1
There are very few reliable
performance statistics on local breeds
When reading (in an official
document of the Ministry of Animal Resources) that a zebu cow from
Fulani stock-keepers , yields an average of 110 litres annually,
one is bound to want to compare such data with the average
performance rates of European milk cows. In Germany the figure is
6000 litres per year. From then on there is only a fine line to
the conclusion that local breeds in Burkina are virtually useless.
But that line should not be crossed.
First of all, only the
comparable should be compared! Hearing that at German cow can
produce an average of 6000 litres in a year, we must keep in mind
that that this refers to a well fed animal, which is very often
grazing freely. How much milk would a well fed cow in Burkina
produce under similar conditions? There are no workable statistics
available that could provide an answer. Therefore the National
Union of mini-dairies and milk producers have started an inquiry
among their members.
We learnt, for instance, that a
zebu cow of Fulani livestock keepers could give up to 6 litres a
day, but only during 3 to 4 months, which amounts to roughly 600
litres for the year. This is perhaps not very much, but at least
far better than the 110 litres usually quoted. We have found a
report indicating that under excellent circumstances, some of
these cows could deliver as much as 1200 litres!
The yields of the Azawak zebu
and the Goudali zebu (other local breeds) are for the most higher
than in the zebus kept by Fulani farmers. We have seen the two
former ones producing as much as 1 8OO litres over an 8 month
period. Still a far cry from the 6000 litres of the German cousin,
but we are beginning to think that with accurate selection and
improved feed, it will no longer be possible to disqualify
“our cows” from the race without in depth research!
Moreover, it must be recognised
that an “exotic” cow landed in Africa will not
be as productive as in its country of origin. A few days ago I
read that a Jersey cow sent off to Cameroon gave no more than 2
500 to 2 600 litres per year, instead of over 5 000 litres
at home.
It is only by adequate and
balanced nutriotion that the best properties of a particular breed
will manifest themselves. Higher milk production therefore
requires better nutrition and improved animal health. It may well
be that local breeds in Burkina have a bright future ahead of
them.
Surprise number 2
There are indeed few studies of
the production data of local breeds and there is even less
documentation on the viewpoints held by long
established traditional cattle farmers. Therefore the Union
has started an inquiry among farmers who deliver milk to union
members. The inquiry is not yet completed, but we can already
share some information with our readers.
At Fada in Eastern Burkina, the
livestock farmers in the Djou Laré area have resolutely
opted for the Goudali zebu. After a yearlong experience with
imported breeds (Gir and Girolondo of Brazil) they never stop
chanting the many advantages of the Goudali, not just because of
their milk production, but also because of their value as beef
cows, easy to fatten. Contrary to the zebu of the Fulani
communities, the Goudali is not very picky and choosy when grazing
freely, “it eats what it finds”. Back at the cowshed
it will take any fodder offered, even the poorest. In addition
these cows are very docile and gentle. Therefore they are
also used as draught animals.
Other livestock farmers are
more interested in the Azawak zebu, for which there is a specific
support and promotion project, which is just coming to an
end, unfortunately. But a National Union of Azawak cattle
owners has been set up and hopefully the objectives of the project
will still be pursued.
Surprise number 3
At present many farmers
complain of the difficulties in finding cotton seed oil cake for
their animals (we referred to this in a previous bulletin). When I
ask if they have tried to replace the oil cakes by soy, many tell
me that they are not familiar with this. Nevertheless, around
the world, soy is much more in use than cotton seed in animal
fodder. Soy is already grown in significant quantities in Burkina
and its further development is just around the corner. Why not try
and introduce it gradually in animal feed in Burkina?
In closing this bulletin I come
to think of the farmer-research workers (rice growers) whom I
met in Thailand barely three months ago. And it makes me dream –
of seeing, three to four years from now, farmers working with the
National Union of mini-dairies also doubling as research workers,
to enhance local cattle breeds (the zebu of the Fulani, the
Goudali and the Azawak zebu) by improvements in their
health and nutrition.
Koudougou, Sunday March 9th
2008
Maurice Oudet
Director, SEDELAN
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