Observations on the White Fulani (Bunaji) Zebu Cattle of Northern Nigeria in a Southern Nigeria Environment VII: Dietary energy and protein utilization during lactation by White Fulani (Bunaji) cows at Ibadan.

Abstract

The criterion of feed efficiency and nutrient utilization for milk production has, in recent times, become an important consideration in assessing the usefulness of the individual cow or group of cows as milk producers and the profitability of any dairy enterprise (Freeman, 1967; Miller and Hooven, 1969). In the Nigerian context, such an assessment of the lactating indigenous cattle is important in determining the usefulness of selection and •the improvements that can be expected from crossbreeding with European type (Bos taurus) dairy cattle in an attempt to increase milk production throughout the country.