There is need for characterization of performances of cattle breeds in relation to milk yield and composition particularly in Adamawa State where seasonal fluctuations in climatic elements can affect livestock resilience. This study was carried out to evaluate the breed variation in milk yield and composition of some selected breeds of Nigerian indigenous cattle in Adamawa State in the late wet season (August-October). The milk of 20 cows each from four breeds (Bunaji, Rahaji, Adamawa Gudali and Bokoloji) was sampled for milk yield and composition analysis three times within the season. Milk was analysed for its composition. Breed significantly (p<0.05) influenced the milk component evaluated. Bunaji was superior in milk yield (1.92), fat yield (5.73) and total solid non-fat (4.59). Rahaji was superior in phosphorus (410), sodium (61.01) and iron (3.16) while Bokoloji was superior in protein (4.98) and calcium (721). For the correlated relationships between the milk components evaluated in different breeds, there was a significant (p<0.05-0.01; r = -0.89 to 1.00) correlation between milk components except (p>0.05; r = -0.21 to 0.24) within various breeds. Zero relationship existed between milk yield and Fe in Adamawa Gudali (p>0.05; r =0.00) while a perfect relation exists between milk yield and protein yield (p>0.01; r = 1.00) in Rahaji, Adamawa Gudali and Bokoloji and between protein yield and fat yield (p>0.01; r = 1.00) in Bunaji and Bokoloji.For the pooled correlated responses, there was significant (p<0.05-0.01; r = -0.95 to 0.99) relationships between most milk components. It was therefore concluded that Bunaji had the highest milk yield, Bokoloji was best in milk protein and fat contents while Rahaji was best in mineral contents. Also, correlated relationship between milk components should be maximized in formulating a selection programme for improvement of milk in Nigerian indigenous cattle.

The study was conducted to assess the chemical composition of alkali treated groundnut shells and their effects on growth and serum biochemical parameters in Yankasa rams. A total of 4 Yankasa rams where used to conduct the experiment in a 4×4 Latin square design. Four diets (14% crude protein) were formulated to contain untreated groundnut shell (UTGNS), urea treated groundnut shell (UGNS), lime treated groundnut shell (LGNS) and urea-lime treated groundnut shell (ULGNS). Growth and blood serum parameters were measured at the end of each period. Samples of the treated groundnut shell and the experimental diets were analysed for proximate analysis, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and lignin. The results of the chemical composition of treated groundnut shell showed that alkali chemical increased the protein, energy, and reduced the cell wall constituents of the untreated groundnut shell. Significant (P<0.05) effect were observed for daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio and serum biochemical profile. Daily feed intake and daily weight gain were higher in UTGNS (183.50 g and 1110.90 g respectively); UGNS had the least feed conversion ratio (5.98). Total protein and glucose levels were above normal range of serum biochemical values for sheep while blood urea and creatinine were within normal range of values. The study revealed that dietary inclusion of treated groundnut shell did not show any negative effect on the growth performance and kidney function but indicated some signs of ailment on the activities of the liver and pancreas.

Despite the huge potential of utilising Jersey cattle as diary animals in the tropical countries, the genetic basis of the relationship between milk yield and conformation traits has been scarcely described in the literature especially in West Africa. This trial therefore set a layout to estimate the additive genetic correlations, heritabilities and repeatabilities of milk, udder and body conformation Original Research Article

The study was conducted to evaluate breed differences in thermoregulatory parameters of four Nigerian indigenous breeds of cattle over two seasons (late rainy and late dry). Data on thermoregulatory parameters (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate and Heat Tolerance Coefficient) of eighty (80) cattle, comprising 20 each of Bunaji, Rahaji, Bokoloji and Adamawa Gudali were obtained and subjected to analysis of variance of SAS software. In the pooled breed variation, breed influenced (p<0.05) all the parameters measured. Bunaji recorded the highest rectal temperature (37.92oC) in all the seasons of measurement. Respiratory rate and Heat tolerance coefficient were highest in Bokoloji while the least were in Bunaji and Adamawa Gudali. Season significantly (p<0.05) affected thermoregulatory parameters measured except (p>0.05) rectal temperature. The highest recorded values of respiratory rate (27.85 beat/min), Pulse rate (27.62breaths/min) and HTC (2.19) were in the late dry season. The effect of interaction between breed and season on thermoregulatory parameters significantly affected (p<0.05) all the thermoregulatory parameters measured. It was concluded that Bokoloji and Bunaji breeds of indigenous cattle are more reactive to Heat stress than Rahaji and Adamawa Gudali even though this could vary with seasons of the year as seen in the interaction between breed and season in this study.   L'étude a été menée pour évaluer les différences entre les races dans les paramètres thermorégulateurs de quatre races indigènes de bétail nigérianes sur deux saisons (pluvieuse tardive et sèche tardive). Des données sur les paramètres thermorégulateurs (température rectale, fréquence respiratoire, fréquence du pouls et coefficient de tolérance à la chaleur) de quatre-vingts (80) bovins, comprenant 20 de chacun de Bunaji, Rahaji, Bokoloji et Adamawa Gudali ont été obtenues et soumises à l'analyse de variance du logiciel 'SAS'. Dans la variation de race combinée, la race a influencé (p <0,05) tous les paramètres mesurés. Bunaji a enregistré la température rectale la plus élevée (37,920 ° C) de toutes les saisons de mesure. La fréquence respiratoire et le coefficient de tolérance à la chaleur étaient les plus élevés à Bokoloji tandis que les plus faibles étaient à Bunaji et à Adamawa Gudali. La saison a affecté significativement (p <0,05) les paramètres thermorégulateurs mesurés sauf (p> 0,05) la température rectale. Les valeurs les plus élevées enregistrées de la fréquence respiratoire étaient (27,85 battements / min), la fréquence cardiaque (27,62 respirations / min) et le 'HTC' (2,19) étaient à la fin de la saison sèche.L'effet de l'interaction entre la race et la saison sur les paramètres thermorégulateurs était significativement affecté (p <0,05) tous les paramètres thermorégulateurs mesurés. Il a été conclu que les races Bokoloji et Bunaji de bovins indigènes sont plus réactives au stress thermique que Rahaji et Adamawa Gudali, même si cela peut varier avec les saisons de l'année, comme le montre l'interaction entre la race et la saison dans cette étude.

The investigation was carried out to examine the outcome of soybean curd residue (SCR) supplementation in the diets of Red Sokoto bucks on growth performance and some blood parameters. Five (5) mixed ration was formulated to contain 14% crude protein, four (4) of which was SCR based at inclusion levels of 0% (control), 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5% denoted as T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 respectively. Twenty (20) Red Sokoto bucks were used for the experiment for a period of twelve (12) weeks. They were randomly assigned to the five dietary groups of 4 bucks each in a completely randomize design. Laboratory analyses were carried out on the SCR and the experimental diets. Parameters measured were on growth performance and some blood parameters. The results obtained showed that SCR was high in DM (93.53%), energy (3435.15 kcal/kg), protein (30.66%) and NFE (49.12%) values. The results revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among all treatments. The highest values for daily weight gain was observed in T5 (122.86 g/day); daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio was observed in T3 (481.29 g/day and 4.66 respectively). High significant (P<0.05) values for packed cell volume and haemoglobin were observed in T5 (26% and 8.6 g/dl) compared to the control. Meanwhile, white blood cell was highest significantly (P<0.05) in T3 (8.50 ×109 /L). Most of the blood parameters observed in this study were within standard normal range for goat. This study showed that SCR did not pose any health risk to the bucks. It was concluded that supplementing soybean curd residue in the diets of goats up to 12.5% can produce a better performance.