Top four dairy breeds in Kenya: The milk, meat and market potential
The Nairobi International Trade Fair has just ended and one of the big highlights was the cattle auction. Going by the masses that witnessed this grand auction and the numbers that visited the dairy cattle sites, it is clear that a good number of Kenyans are curious to learn more about cattle. In light of that, today I will highlight top breeds in Kenya and their admirable and negative qualities.
1. FRESIAN
The country of origin is Holland and it is the largest dairy breed. The cow weighs 590 - 600 kg while bulls weigh up to 1,250 kg. It is black and white and produces the highest amount of milk about 3,500 – 4,000 kg per lactation (305) days. The milk has butter fat content of 3.5 per cent and calves are born larger weighing approximately 35 – 50 kg. Fresians or Holsteins do well in Ecological zones — coffee and tea growing zones and in high potential areas. The rearing systems depend on the availability of land. For instance, in parts of Rift Valley, the animals can be left to graze in the paddocks because pieces of land are vast.
On feed, they mostly eat grass such as Kikuyu, Rhodes, Star, Themenda Triandla. Some farmers supplement these with corn or sorghum silage, legumes such as lucern or desmodium which are rich in crude protein and fodder trees like calliandra, leukena and sesbania. These are also rich in proteins and vitamins.
Disease Control
Due to the high amount of milk the cow produces, it is susceptible to mastitis. To avoid this, proper milking techniques should be embraced whether hand or machine milking. Tick borne diseases must be controlled by hand spraying using a knapsack sprayer, or dipping. Viral diseases are controlled by vaccinations.
The breed is ideal for commercial milk production. There are reputable breeders who sell the incalf heifers at Sh250,000. They can also be sourced from ADC farms.
2. ARYSHIRE
The country of origin is Scotland. The colour varies from white markings or mute white with red marking. Some breeds are white with a few brown patches on the head and tail. The cow weighs about 500 – 700 kgs. It is also a good milk producer giving the farmers on average between 3,000 – 3,500 kgs per lactation that is (305 days). The milk butter fat content is 4.2 per cent. The calves weigh about 35 – 40 kg at parturition.
The breed is hardy and can withstand drought. It performs well in ecological zones and transition zones between tea and coffee areas.
Rearing system depends on the availability of land. If you have vast lands, animals can be left to graze in the paddocks. Where pieces of land are small, zero grazing units will be ideal. The best feeds depend on availability of the local fodder. The most common fodder for this breed is nappier grass (Kakamega type 1 and type 2) corn silage or sorghum or grasses rich in crude fibre like the Brachelia and other leguminous feeds like desmodium and the lucern.
Disease Control
They are prone to tick-borne disease which can be controlled by spraying or dipping. Viral diseases can be controlled through regular vaccination.
You can control mastitis attacks through proper milking techniques. The breed is ideal for commercial milk production. There are many reputable breeders who sell the heifers. Since the animal extract a lot of calcium and phosphorous during colostrum preparation, proper supplementation should be done to control metabolic disorders like milk fever (pertinent paresis) and hypo magnesium tetany. The incalf heifers cost between Sh100,000 to Sh250,000.
3. GUERNSEY
This breed is originally from the Island of Guernsey in France. The colour varies from brown to almost red with markings on the face, legs, tail switch and flanks. The cow weighs between 400 – 700 kgs while milk production oscillates between 2,600 – 3,000 kgs per lactation that is (305 days).
Its milk has butter fat content of 5.0 per cent and the breed is quiet and easy to handle. The good thing is that it is not a heavy feeder because of the body size. The animal performs well in ecological zone 2 and 3 and mostly in transition areas.
The rearing systems depend on land availability and can be done on both large scale, semi-zero grazing and zero grazing units. Ideal feeds include corn, nappier silage, conserved hay, legumes or fodder trees and also supplementation by concentrates and mineral licks and salts.
In case you are interested, the breed can be sourced from ADC Lanet. Here, they have a gene bank and can also upgrade by selected semen. Traditionally, it lives long and has good calving.
4. JERSEY
It originated from the Jersey Island in England. It is a British breed of small dairy cattle. It is Jawn to black and weighs between 360 – 650 kg. The breed is popular and famous for high milk production and high butter content of 5.5 per cent. The jersey cattle are docile in temperament and are low maintenance with superior grazing ability. They also have good calving. In addition, they grow faster and contain low fat in their body. Milk lactation is between 3,000 – 3,500 kg per lactation (305 days cycle).
The main characteristic is long and slender neck with bulging protruding eyes.
It can excel under poor to medium pasture conditions. This breed can adopt well to almost all climatic conditions and is known for its proper feed conversion ratio.
It is recommended for small scale farmers because of the feeding and its adaptation. It can be sourced from ADC farms and reputable registered farms.
Disease Control
To keep diseases at bay, thorough routine vaccinations, proper milking techniques and proper supplementation of mineral supplements and spraying dipping to control tick-borne diseases, are key.
[The writer is an animal technologies expert at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.]
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