Milk Composition and Yield Characteristics of Mpwapwa Cattle

Abstract

Major dairy production traits of East African cattle have been studied by Mahadevan et al.(1961, 1962), and Marples (1963). Late age at first calving, low milk yields, long dry periods and short lactations among the indigenous cattle were reported in each case. Crossbreeding of European breeds of cattle with the indigenous types and upgrading of the indigenous to Indian Zebu were recommended after Galukande et al.(1926), andd Mahadevan and Hutchinson (1964), had conclusively demonstrated the merits of these schemes.