Effects of non-genetic factors on reproductive efficiency of white Fulani cattle in southwestern, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of sex of calf, age of cow and season of calving on calf birth weight in a herd of white Fulani cattle. The breed is dual purpose and trypano-tolerant. Data on 148 calves comprising of 66 males and 82 females were taken into account in this analysis. Average birth weight recorded for the calves was 23.82kg. Sex of calves significantly (P < 0.05) influenced birth weight with male calves
having superior values than females. The mean values were 24.54 ± 0.51kg and 23.19 ± 0.48kg for males and females, respectively. Season of calving and age of cow had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on birth weight. Low repeatability estimate (R = 0.28 ± 0.01) was reported for birth weight in this herd. This implies that more records will be required per cow before any culling could be done in order to improve the herd’s future
performance. The reproductive efficiency of this breed could be improved also by giving supplemental feeds during drought and mating with exotic breeds which have superior genetic potential for better birth weight and milk production.