Moroccan Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2023): (December 2023)
Animal Production and Health

Evaluation of Vitanimal supplementation on the milk production of Borgou cows in Benin

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  • Sènouwa Léopold GUIDIMÊ,
  • Badorou Pierre ODO,
  • André Jonas DJENONTIN,
  • Aliyassoum MAMA YACOUBOU,
  • Sourébou Hilaire SANNI WOROGO,
  • Yaya IDRISSOU
Sènouwa Léopold GUIDIMÊ Laboratoire d'Ecologie, de Santé et de Production Animales, Faculté d'Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Bénin
Badorou Pierre ODO Laboratoire d’Ecologie, de Santé et de Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Bénin.
André Jonas DJENONTIN Laboratoire d’Ecologie, de Santé et de Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Bénin
Aliyassoum MAMA YACOUBOU Ferme d’Elevage de l’Okpara, Direction de l’Elevage, Bénin
Sourébou Hilaire SANNI WOROGO Laboratoire d’Ecologie, de Santé et de Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Bénin
Yaya IDRISSOU Laboratoire d’Ecologie, de Santé et de Production Animales (LESPA), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, Bénin

Published 2023-12-15

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Abstract

This work is a part of a multi-faceted study of the impact of the VitanimalÒ supplement feed - a mixture of cottonseed hulls - on livestock productivity. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of the supplement on the milk productivity of cows in two distinct systems (improved semi-intensive and improved extensive systems), which are the main livestock farming systems in Benin and the sub-region. The studies were conducted at the Okpara Farm (semi-intensive improved system) and on cattle farms in rural localities of Tchaourou town (extensive improved system). Eighteen (18) Borgou breed cows of lactation rank 2/3 were divided into 3 batches of 6 animals in each of the study areas (L0, L1, L2 - Station; L0', L1', L2' - farm environment). These experimental cows were grazing during the day. They were then supplemented with Vitanimal® (2 kg for batches L1 & L1' and 4 kg for batches L2 & L2'; L0 & L0’ being the control batches). A stub period of two weeks was observed. Data on feed intakes, dairy performances and body condition scores (BCS) were collected during ninety (90) days. The best milk production performances (kg/day in single milking) were obtained in the Station (1.33 for L1; 1.49 for L2) versus 1.06 for L1' and 1.33 for L2' in the farm environment; with significant differences between batches of the same treatment in the two study areas. However, feed intakes were higher in the farm environment, as well as BCSs. Vitanimal® considerably improved dairy performances, in proportion to the quantities distributed, with a greater impact in the improved semi-intensive system.

Keywords: Borgou cows, Vitanimal®, Dairy performances, Station, Breeding environment, Benin

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References