Characteristics of peri-urban dairy herds of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).
Peri-urban dairy cattle farms within 50 km of Bobo-Dioulasso were studied to assess herd type, disease incidence, management, feeding and breeding strategy. Out of 417 cattle farmers, 42% had dairy objectives and were studied. Among these peri-urban dairy farmers, 60% were settled, 36% semi-settled, and 4% transhumant. In total, they held 4558 dairy cows, of which 32% lactated during the study. The prevalence of mastitis (55%) increased (p<0.05) with herd size. Advanced strategies for supplementary feeding and breeding were most frequent in small herds (<30 cattle). None of the large herds (>60 cattle) had advanced breeding strategies. Bulls and cows were culled at younger ages in herds with better breeding strategy. Overall, this resulted in higher individual milk offtake in small herds (2.46 L/day) compared with large herds (1.25 L/day). Pure breeds were rarely used, and the presence of Bos taurus baoulé naturally selected for trypanotolerance was low. The prevalence of trypanosomosis (40%) in herds dominated by Bos indicus zebu and Méré (Zebu x Baoulé) is an argument for maintenance of biodiversity and selection of Baoulé for milk production.
Sidibe
M
M
CIRDES, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Boly
H
H
Lakouetené
T
T
Leroy
P
P
Bosma
R H
RH
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding / Q000379:methods; D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology; D008892:Milk; D013383:Suburban Population; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000453:epidemiology