Abstract

This study was carried out to generate information on some productive and reproductive performance of Kereyu Sanga cattle in their home tract. The data was collected through questionnaire from 114 Kereyu Sanga cattle owners. Fifty four third parity lactating Kereyu Sanga cows were randomly selected for milk yield measurement. According to the respondents, the mean age at puberty, age at first calving, lactation length and calving interval for Kereyu Sanga cows were 47.5, 54.1, 8.5 and 18 months, respectively, with associated lifetime calf crop production of 7.1 and reproductive lifespan of 13.2 year. The overall fertility rate of Kereyu Sanga cows was 55.4%. The mean reported age at puberty and reproductive life span for Kereyu Sanga bulls were 49 months and 9.2 years, respectively. The mean reported daily and lactation milk yield of Kereyu sanga cows were 1.8 and 463.1 L, respectively, whereas the mean measured third parity daily and lactation milk yield were 2 and 543 L, respectively. The reported variations both in some productive and reproductive performance and the observed variations in measured milk yield among the individual animals under such harsh environment indicate the possibility of improving the performance of this adapted Sanga breed through selection in their home tract so as to enhance their contribution towards poverty alleviation.

Key words: Cattle, fertility, Kereyu Sanga breed, lactation, milk yield, reproduction.