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DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING PROGRAMME AND GENETIC PROGRESS IN KENYA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

R. M. Mzee
R. M. Mzee
Affiliation:
Animal Science Department, Egerton University, PO. Box 536, Njoro, Kenya
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Summary

The state of the dairy herd in Kenya is described. The organization of the national dairy cattle breeding programme and the sire evaluation methods used are discussed in the light of the available data (1978–1988) and the relevant bibliography It is underlined that it was only possible to keep-up milk production - which matches consumption - by a dairy cattle population growth of 220% in the past decade, while the average yield remained unchanged around 3500 kg milk/lactation. The author underlines the need to improve livestock management practices and the genetic potential of dairy cows as the only means to face the needs of a growing human population.

Résumé

L'état du troupeau laitier au Kenya est décrit. L'organisation du programme national d'élevage et les méthodes d'évaluation des géniteurs sont examinées à la lumière des données disponibles (1978–1988) et de la bibliographie pertinente. On souligne qu'il a seulement été possible de maintenir la production laitière, laquelle correspond à la consommation, par nne augmentation de la population du cheptel laitier de 220% au cours de la dernière décennie, alors que la production moyenne est restée inchangée - environ 3500 kg de lait par lactation. Lauteur souligne la nécessité d'améliorer les pratiques de gestion du troupeau et le potentiel génétique.

Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 8 , April 1991 , pp. 49 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1991

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References

REFERENCES

Kenya Cooperative Creameries (K.C.C.). Annual Reports. 1978–1988.Google Scholar
Kenya Statistical Abstracts. 1980, 1984 and 1991Google Scholar
Ministry of Livestock Development, Animal Production Division Annual Reports. 1980–1987.Google Scholar
Ministry of Livestock Development, Livestock Recording Centre Annual Reports. 1985–1988.Google Scholar
Philipsson, J., 1988. Common Genetic Bloodlines and Standardization of Information. 7th World Holstein Conference, Nairobi, Feb. 2–6, 1988.Google Scholar
Rege, J. E. O., and Mosi, R. O., 1987. A Comparison of Contemporary Comparison (CC) and Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) Procedures of Sire Evaluation in Kenya. Proceedings of the Animal Production Society of Kenya. 17: 63.Google Scholar
Rendel, J., and Robertson, A., 1950. Estimation of genetic gain in milk yield by selection in a closed herd of dairy cattle. J. Genetics 50: 1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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