Extensive farming practices and cattle performances of the local breed or crossed with exotic dairy breeds in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

In order to analyze the relationship between farming practices and animal performances of mixed (dairy and beef) breed cows in Beni area, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, a study was conducted from July 2003 to Novem­ber 2006. The sample consisted of 8676 cattle head from 65 farms, among which 4945 cows were of local breed, others were crossed with exogenous breeds considered ameliorative. Surveys, demographic observations, milk production measure­ments, and reproduction monitoring were carried out in the farms of the study. Data were analyzed with the chi-squared test and generalized linear models according to the geno­type, forage quality and supplement characteristics. Results showed some level of technical proficiency in farmers, but a low turnover rate of the herds. Breeding practices impacted on milk production, age at first calving and calving interval. In crossed-type cows, milk production was more than twice that observed in the local breed. Supplementation with forage and concentrates significantly, but also little increased milk production compared to no supplementation. The age at first calving and calving interval were influenced by the genotype, and the calving interval was influenced by the supplementa­tion and forage type. These results highlight the effects of live­stock management on milk and reproductive performances of cows in the region of the study.