1. SAPT2010, 15-18 November, 2010, Guadeloupe (F.W.I.)
REPUBLIC OF BENIN
UNIVERSITY OF PARAKOU
FACULTY OF AGRONOMY
Reproductive performance and milk production of Girolando cows imported from Brazil to the ranch of Kpinnou in south-west of Benin
I. ALKOIRET TRAORE1, H. MAMA YARI1, Y. D. G. AWOHOUEDJI1 &
R. LOKOSSOU2
Introduction des race gir olando
1 University of Parakou, Faculty of Agronomy, P.O. Box 123 Parakou, Benin 2 Project of Livestock Development, Antenna of Kpinnou, P.O. Box 89 Lokossa, Benin
SAPT2010, November, 2010, Guadeloupe (F.W.I.)

2. Introduction
Republic of Benin is located in Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The country covers an area of km2 and has 8 million inhabitants.
Agriculture contributes to 37% of GDP and over 85% of export earnings. Livestock production contributes to about 6% of national GDP.
The cattle population is estimated at 1.9 million heads (FAO, 2008). This herd is made up of cattle breeds’ Laguna, Somba and Borgou (31%), zebu M'Bororo, Gudali and White Fulani (8%), and their crossbreeds (61%) (Dossou et al., 2006).

3. Introduction
Milk production of these breeds is low and varies from 1.5 to 3 liters per day for a lactation length of 150 to 180 days (Dossou et al., 2006).
In Benin, milk is still produced in marginal quantity and national production does not meet the increasing demand.
The deficit is met through imports of milk and dairy products which rose from 1.5 billion in 1993 to 20 billion XOF in 2003 (MAEP, 2004)
The average milk consumption in Benin is still low and not exceeding 20 kg /capita/year compared to 50 kg recommended by FAO (Dossou et al.,2006).

4. Introduction
To reach this level of consumption, a breeding program focused on pure breeding, crossbreeding and dissemination of improved animals on-farm has been established by the LDP in Benin.
In addition, Girolando heifers were introduced from Brazil to Kpinnou ranch in December 2004.
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of rate of blood Gir, season of calving, lactation number and year of calving on the reproductive performances and milk production of Girolando cows imported from Brazil to Benin.

5. Materials and methods Study area
The ranch of Kpinnou is located in the District of Athieme, at latitude 6°33’ North, longitude 1°47’ East (south-west of Benin) and is 400 km2 in area.
The climate is of Guinean type with two dry seasons (January to March - S1 and August to September – S3) and two rainy seasons (April to July – S2 and October to December – S4).
During the period of 1999 – 2009, the averages annuals rainfall, temperature and relative humidity were respectively 1351 ± 212 mm, 28.2 ± 0.6 ° C and 73.4 ± 1.9%.

6. Materials and methods Animal management
The management pattern at the ranch of Kpinnou was semi intensive.
During the rainy season, the animals were put in rotation on artificial pastures of P.m. and A.g. During the dry season, they were fed with hay of B.r. and silage made of Guatemala grass (Trypsacum laxum).
In complementation, cows received 4 kg of concentrate per day during the milking time.
Milking was done twice a day using a machine branded Alfa Laval.
Calves were separated from their dam 3 days after calving. Then they received 3-5 l of milk/day, concentrates and forages until weaning at 16 weeks.
The mode of reproduction was natural.

7. Materials and methods Animal management
Animals were regularly vaccinated against pasteurellosis and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.
They were dewormed with albendazole and treated against trypanosomiasis with trypamidium and Berenil every 3 months.
Animals were sprayed once or twice a week against ticks with Butox or Bayticol.
They were also screened for tuberculosis and brucellosis each year.
The main diseases in cattle Girolando were: lumpy kin disease, FMD, diarrhea, respiratory diseases, wounds, vaginitis, retained placenta, mastitis, conjunctivitis and foot rot. Specific treatments were administrated to each disease.

8. Materials and methods Data collection
Data were collected from the individual cow monitoring database from 2005 to 2008.
For each cow identification number, date of birth, date of mating, date of calving, daily milk yield, peak milk yield and lactation milk yield were recorded.
Of the 113 age at 1st calving and the 267 lactation initially collected, only 92 age at first calving and 205 lactation were included.
Lactation length was evaluated from the collection of milk after calving until drying up.
Dry period represented the time from the end of lactation until next calving.
Calving interval represented the time recorded between two successive calving.

9. Materials and methods Statistical Analysis
The characters analyzed were: age at 1st calving (days), calving interval (days), daily milk yield (kg), peak milk yield (kg), lactation milk yield (kg), lactation length (days) and dry period (days).
The fixed factors tested were: rate of blood Gir (25, 50 and 62.5%), calving season (S1, S2, S3 and S4), lactation number (1, 2 and 3), year of birth (2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006) and year of calving (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).
Data were analyzed using SAS ® (1989) according to a linear fixed model. Duncan's method was used to compare means when they were significantly different.

10. Age at 1st calving Calving interval
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 1a. Least squares means (± SE) of age at 1st calving (months) and calving interval (days) of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou, Benin.
Sources of variation
Age at 1st calving
Calving interval
Overall mean
35.3 ± 0.4 (92)
468.4 ± 13.6 (205)
Rate of blood Gir, % 25 50
62.5
34.9 ± 1.3b (16)
36.8 ± 0.4a (62)
29.2 ± 0.4c (14)
470.2 ± 16.2a (45)
464.0 ± 9.0a (146)
509.5 ± 8.4a (14)
Calving season S1 S2 S3 S4 -
482.1 ± 14.5ab (68)
445.5 ± 10.3a (48)
± 11.0a (30)
± 16.0a (59)
a,b,c Least squares means with different superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05)

11. Age at 1st calving Calving interval
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 1b. Least squares means (± SE) of age at 1st calving (months) and calving interval (days) of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou, Benin.
Sources of variation
Age at 1st calving
Calving interval
Lactation number 1 2 3 -
526.3 ± 13.5a (92)
432.5 ± 4.7b (81)
393.3 ± 2.6c (32)
Year of birth or calving
2002
2003
2005
2006
2007
2008
38.5 ± 0.5a (34)
34.7 ± 0.4b (44)
30.3 ± 0.3c (8)
27.7 ± 0.4c (6)
543.8 ± 26.3a (31)
507.4 ± 18.1a (54)
435.5 ± 5.5b (77)
424.3 ± 7.1b (43)
a,b,c Least squares means with different superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05)

12. DISCUSSION
Age at first calving and calving interval of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou are superior to those observed in Brazil which are respectively 30 months and 410 days (BAGB, 2008).
This may be related to the climate at Kpinnou ranch, characterized by high temperature and high relative humidity. These two factors are known to have a negative effect on oestrus, ovulation and implantation of the embryo; thereby, affecting the conception rate.
High temperature and relative humidity can cause deterioration in semen quality in bulls and embryonic mortality in cows.
The low reproductive performance of Girolando cows at Kpinnou ranch can also be explained by the infectious diseases of reproduction such as retained placenta, endometritis, vulvovaginitis and other pathologies.
There are seasonal and annual variations in the amount and quality of forage available to feed the animals at Kpinnou ranch.

13. N Daily yield Peak yield Lactation yield
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 2a. squares means (± SE) of daily yield (kg), peak yield (kg) and lactation yield (kg) of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou, Benin.
Sources of variation N
Daily yield
Peak yield
Lactation yield
Overall mean
205
7.2 ± 0.2
12.3 ± 0.2
1739 ± 43
Rate of blood Gir, % 25 50
62.5 45
146 14
8.0 ± 0.3a
7.1 ± 0.2b
5.7 ± 0.4c
13.1 ± 0.5a
12.1 ± 0.3a
11.4 ± 0.6a
1928 ± 61a
1727 ± 55b
1255 ± 95c
Calving season S1 S2 S3 S4 68 48 30 59
6.7 ± 0.3a
7.6 ± 0.4b
7.4 ± 0.2b
7.5 ± 0.3b
11.1 ± 0.4a
12.9 ± 0.5b
13.9 ± 0.5bc
12.3 ± 0.4b
1548 ± 70a
1795 ± 94b
1916 ± 82b
1822 ± 85b
a,b,c Least squares means with different superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05)

14. N Daily yield Peak yield Lactation yield
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 2b. squares means (± SE) of daily yield (kg), peak yield (kg) and lactation yield (kg) of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou, Benin.
Sources of variation N
Daily yield
Peak yield
Lactation yield
Lactation number 1 2 3 92 81 32
5.9 ± 0.2a
8.1 ± 0.3b
8.7 ± 0.2b
10.3 ± 0.3a
13.1 ± 0.4b
15.9 ± 0.3c
1367 ± 48a
1967 ± 69b
2229 ± 47c
Year of calving
2005
2006
2007
2008 31 54 77 43
5.9 ± 0.3a
6.2 ± 0.3a
7.7 ± 0.2b
8.5 ± 0.3c
10.3 ± 0.5a
10.3 ± 0.4a
13.3 ± 0.3b
14.5 ± 0.5c
1438 ± 74a
1412 ± 77a
1963 ± 68b
1964 ± 84b
a,b,c Least squares means with different superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05)

15. N Lactation length Dry period
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 3a. Least squares means (± SE) of lactation length (days) and dry period (days) of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou, Benin.
Sources of variation N
Lactation length
Dry period
Overall mean
205
239.3 ± 3.0
229.0 ± 8.1
Rate of blood Gir, % 25 50
62.5 45
146 14
243.9 ± 6.1a
239.6 ± 3.6a
222.1 ± 13.1a
226.3 ± 18.7a
224.2 ± 9.6a
287.4 ± 14.6a
Calving season S1 S2 S3 S4 68 48 30 59
230.0 ± 5.8a
235.9 ± 6.4a
256.7 ± 5.2b
244.1 ± 5.4ab
252.1 ± 15.9a
209.5 ± 12.5b
180.8 ± 12.6b
242.6 ± 16.8ab
a,b,c Least squares means with different superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05)

16. N Lactation length Dry period
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 3b. Least squares means (± SE) of lactation length (days) and dry period (days) of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou, Benin.
Sources of variation N
Lactation length
Dry period
Lactation number 1 2 3 92 81 32
230.4 ± 5.0a
242.4 ± 4.5a
257.4 ± 5.2b
± 14.1a
190.1 ± 6.0b
135.8 ± 5.3c
Year of calving
2005
2006
2007
2008 31 54 77 43
244.6 ± 7.7ab
224.2 ± 6.7a
252.0 ± 4.0b
231.9 ± 6.7a
298.2 ± 26.8a
283.2 ± 19.2a
183.5 ± 6.6b
192.5 ± 11.5b
a,b,c Least squares means with different superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05)

17. DISCUSSION
Daily yield, peak yield, lactation, lactation length and dry period of Girolando cows at Kpinnou ranch are low compared to those observed in Brazil wich are respectively 12 kg, 18 kg, 3600 kg, 300 days and 110 days (BAGB, 2008).
Our results can be explained by changes in temperature which sometimes reached 32 ° C significantly affecting milk production, appetite, feed intake and digestion of Girolando cows.
The effect of nutrition on milk production of dairy cows could also be considered. There were seasonal and annual variations in the quantity and quality of forage available to feed the cows at the ranch of Kpinnou; Moreover, the availability and quality of concentrates and silage were also varied over time.
Heat stress and different diseases, coupled with inappropriate and unfrequent interventions have contributed to lower milk production performance of dairy cows at Kpinnou ranch.

18. Conclusion
This study showed that reproductive performance and milk production of Girolando cows at the ranch of Kpinnou are lower than those of Brazil.
The rate of blood Gir influenced age at first calving, daily milk yield and lactation milk yield of Girolando cows;
Season of calving, number of lactation and year of calving significantly effected all reproductive and milk production parameters studied;
Calving season S3 resulted in the best reproductive performance and milk production.
These results may serve as a basis for selection for increased milk production of the Girolando herd at the ranch of Kpinnou.

19. THANK FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Acknowledgements
THANK
FOR YOUR ATTENTION