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Science et changements planétaires / Sécheresse. Volume 6, Number 2, 215-22, Juin 1995, Note méthodologique

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Author(s) : François Achard, Mogueza Chanono

Summary : To estimate reproductive and production performances of Azaouak zebu cattle in a traditional breeding system following improvement of rangeland and herd management, a seven-year study (1986 to 1992) was conducted at Toukounous in the Sahelian zone of Niger. After the 1984 drought, to fight against the degradation of rangelands and herd production, it was decided to adapt the grazing pressure to forage resources and eliminate poorly-productive animals. With the biological recovery of posture since 1984, the reproductive and productive performances of cattle have been observed to improve. According to annual biomass production, a Toukounous herd ranged from 694 to 825 head of cattle, including on average 41% reproductive females (> 26.3 months) and 7.4% males (≥ 24 months). Mean age at first calving (from 1987 to 1992) was 35.3 months, while the interval between consecutive calvings averaged at 14. Mean annual milk production (milked + suckled by calf) was 1,215 litres. Without feed complement, weight for males and females respectively were 157 and 146 kg at 9 months, and 253 and 221 kg at 18 months, with males reaching 325 kg at 24 months. The mean herd yield rate (herd growth minus animals sold) was 27.8%. The example of Toukounous shows that, even in arid zones where mean annual rainfall does not exceed 300 mm, rational management of rangeland and cattle allows fairly large animal production yields to be achieved.

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