Studies on the production of beef from zebu cattle in East Africa II. Milk production in suckled cows and its effect on calf growth

Abstract

1. The estimation of milk yield in a herd of suckled zebu cattle has been described.2. Milk yield was found to be relatively stable when compared with weight at calving and subsequent live-weight change.3. Under constant conditions, there was a negative correlation between milk yield and live-weight change in the cows, compared with a positive correlation when both characters were affected by seasonal changes.4. Variation in milk yield was reflected in the growth rate of the calves, but considerably greater quantities of milk were required to increase growth without the aid of extra grass.5. It was concluded that, under the present conditions, calf growth rate could be increased more efficiently by the improvement of nutrition than by selection for high milk yield in the dams.