Breeding options for dairy cattle improvement in the Sudan

Abstract

This paper attempts to define a rational choice of breeding strategies for the improvement of milk production in the Sudan involving Kenana, Butana, Friesian and crossbred dairy cows. In some major production traits, the Sudanese Butana and Kenana cattle compare favourably under average station management with some of the best breeds in tropical countries, and their performance does not fall far behind that of 50% crossbred cattle in the Sudan. Kenana and Butana could be used particularly in medium-intensive production systems. The local environment (high temperature, low feed quality and quantity, disease and parasitic challenge) can sustain only composite genotypes of a moderate level of Bos taurus blood. Their relative economic efficiency is yet to be considered. An economically viable use of Friesian cattle in central Sudan is an option only when adequate feeding management, hygiene, stockmanship, technical services and other types of infrastructure are available. A regional dairy breeding policy should be established that implements breeding programmes to produce dairy cattle suitable for particular eco-regions and production systems.