A review of studies on growth and reproductive performance of the different breeds of cattle in Ghana
1989
Lamptey, R.N.
Reviews the literature on growth and reproductive performance of the different breeds of cattle in Ghana. The breeds include the West African Shorthorn, Santa Gertrudis, Sokoto Gudali, Red Poll and the Holstein Friesian. The parameters include sex of calf, breed, age of dam, season of birth, disease and nutrition. It also contrasts these factors for local and exotic breeds. Male calves generally had higher birthweights and faster growth rate than female calves; exotic breeds and their cross breds had faster growth rates and better reproductive performance than local breeds. Average age at puberty of the different breeds was 24.6 months, range of gestation period of indigenous cattle was from 277 days to 288 days, calving intervals range between 14.5 to 18.9 months. As exotic blood in an animal increased mortality also increased. Cross-breeding programmes should be accompanied by good management to decrease mortality rates
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