At the University of Ghana's Agricultural Research Station at Nungua observations were begun in 1957 on the performance of West African Shorthorn, N'Dama and Sokoto Gudali cattle. The main preliminary findings are discussed under the following headings: body weight, growth rate, milk yield, reproductive efficiency, and dentition and age. In spite of the fact that the N'Dama and West African Shorthorn are naturally small animals, body weight and growth rate could be substantially increased by better feeding. Insufficient data are as yet available on the Sokoto. Under the better-than-average feeding conditions at the station, av. body weight at 8 mths. was 305 lb. in the N'Dama, 340 lb. in the West African Shorthorn, and 470 lb. in the Sokoto. Maximum body weight at 8 mths. was 340, 360 and 550 lb. resp. In animals fed a concentrate supplement, av. 252-day milk yields per 100 lb. body weight were 295, 300 and 335 lb. for the N'Dama, West African Shorthorn and Sokoto resp. max. yields, expressed in a similar manner, being 416, 430 and 458 lb. resp. Milk yields were estimated by weighing the calves before and after suckling thrice daily for approx. 20 mins The av. calving percentages for the 3 breeds were 85, 83 and 76 resp. which are equivalent to calving intervals of 14-2, 14.5 and 15.8 mths. The av. age at 1st calving in the West African Shorthorn was estimated to be 3 yrs. (2.3-3.8). Insufficient data were available on the other 2 breeds. It is considered that, if adequately fed, heifers are capable of calving at 27-30 mths. of age. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
The West African Rice Research Station