Reproduction and growth of two breeds of cattle (N’Dama and crossbred) in the Mountains’ District of Western Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The study was conducted in the western part of Côte d’Ivoire in the Mountains’ District on 120 cows and 96 male and female calves of N’Dama and crossbred (Montbeliard x N’Dama) breeds for 36 months to determine their reproductive and growth performances. The results showed that the pregnancy rate and lactation duration of crossbred cows (half-blood Montbeliard) were higher than those of the N’Dama. Similarly, the calving interval of the crossbred cows (428 ± 16.6 days) was lower than that of the N’Dama (452 ± 12.8 days). The birth weight of crossbred calves (23–25 kg) was higher than that of the N’Dama (17–19 kg). The average daily weight gain over the entire period was 356.8 ± 47.7 g for males and 324.8 ± 47.1 g for females in crossbred calves versus 291.7 ± 57.6 g and 266.6 ± 49.1 g, respectively, in N’Dama calves. Finally, the adult weight was 370 ± 1.7 kg for males and 300 ± 2.3 kg for females in the crossbred group versus 235 ± 1.6 kg and 230 ± 2.1 kg, respectively, in the N’Dama. The reproductive and growth performances of the crossbred males were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the N’Dama.