ABSTRACT

A total of nine (9) lactating, cows in their first parity comprising 3 each of White Fulani, Ndama.

and F1 White Fulani X Ndama breeds were involved in an experiment to compare their milk

yield and nutrient contents of the milk. The cows were fed a concentrate diet at 2kg per cow

during milking aQer grazing. Tile quantity of concentrate was adjusted according to milk yield.

The cows were hand-milked once daily for a period of 28 days. The milk samples were analysed

for total solids (TS), crude protein (CP), butterfat (BF), lactose, ash, calcium and phosphorus.

Milk yield (kg/day) averaged 2.39, 1.18 and 2.01 for White Fulani, Ndama and F1White Fulani

X Ndama breed respectively. The values were similar (P>0.05). The TS contents of milk were

also similar. The values were 12.35, 11.22, and 11.58% respectively for White Fulani, Ndama

and cross-bred. The breeds differed significantly (P< 0.05) in the crude protein (CP), butterfat

(BF), lactose and phosphorus concentrations of the milk. 'I'he crude protein and butterfat values

were 3.6, 4.24, 3.47, 4.0, and 3.2 and 4.3Wo respectively f'or White Fulani, Ndama and cross-

bred. The White Fulani and cross-bred recorded higher lactose concentration than the Ndama.

The values were 4.16; 4.08 and 4.25%, respectively for White Fulani, Ndama, and cross-bred.

Similarly, the calcium and phosphorus concentrations differed significantly in the milk samples

of the 3 breeds. Significant positive correlations existed between BF and CP in Ndama milk.

Similarly, calcium and phosphorus were positively and significantly correlated in Ndama milk.

The relationships between milk yield and TS, TS and CP, ash and Ca were positive and non

significant (P>0.05). The positive relationship established between yield and '1'S is a

confirmation that anything which affects milk constituents will affect TS of milk.