Evaluation of reproductive and milk production performances of Gudali, Holstein and crossbred cows by morphobiometry on traditional small-scale farms in Ngaoundere, Adamawa region (Cameroon)

Abstract

This study was carried out on 27 traditional small-scale farms in Ngaoundere. The data were collected from 247 cows. The main breeds used for milk production were Gudali (55.47%), Holstein (5.26%) and crossbreeds Holstein x Gudali (HxG) F1 (20.24%), Montbeliard x Gudali (MxG) F1 (2.02%), Simmental x Gudali (SIMGOUD) F1 (5.67%), Charolais x Gudali (ChxG) F1 (2.83%), and Holstein x Gudali (HxG) F2 (3.64%). The morphobiometric traits that can be selected for better reproduction and milk production for the Gudali breed are: height at sacrum between 131 and 138 cm (r=0.31, P=0.01), inclination of pelvis between 4/9 and 5/9 (r=0.36, P=0.00), teats 4 to 5 cm long (r=-0.38, P=0.00), parallel hind legs (r=-0.31, P=0.01), deep udder furrow of -2 to -4cm (r=-0.44, P=0.00) and straight hock (149-155°) (r=0.43, P=0.00); for Holstein: height at sacrum between 136-145cm (r=0.66, P=0.02), and the voluminous udder (10-16cm) (r=-0.771, P=0.005); for HxG F1: open foot angle varying between 36° and 43° (r=-0.47, P=0.03) and the larger udder (13-19cm) (r=-0.51, P=0.01), chest width 29 to 33 cm (r=0.48, P=0.02), more open ribs, and the flattened bone structure (angularity between 6-8) (r=0.44, P=0.04); for MxG F1 cows: body depth between 5 and 7 (r=0.99, P=0.00); and for HxG F2: high height at sacrum (131-140cm) (r=-0.99, P=0.04) and angular (6-8) (r=-1.00, P=0.00).