This article will consider the breeds of cattle with particular reference to the tropical Nigerian breeds. Breeds of cattle differ from one region and ecological zone to another, acclimatized to specific zones or regions.
A breed is defined as a group of animals having a common origin and possessing certain characteristics uniform within the members of the same species. These characteristics are transmitted from generation to generation and are important to know.
Nigerian Breeds of Cattle
The Nigerian breeds of cattle fall into several categories, which are discussed in the following sections.
1. N’dama
This breed spread to most parts of West Africa from the Fouta Djallon highland of Guinea. It has acclimatized to the conditions of the rainforest up to the southern limit of the northern Zebu breeds.
The N’dama is a small, limbless, well-built animal with a straight top line and short, fine limbs. The coat color is usually yellow, fawn, or light red. The udder of the female is very small and set high between the legs.
They are poor milkers, with a maximum yield of 450 kg, sometimes used for draught purposes, but they are essentially beef animals. They are tolerant to trypanosomiasis but break down under stress. N’dama cattle have meat of good quality. The mature live weight ranges from 230 to 420 kg.
2. Kuri
Kuri cattle are restricted to the Lake Chad area and parts of Borno State. They live on the islands and shores around Lake Chad.
This is a tall animal with enormous circular or bulbous horns, very thick at the base, and humpless. The large horns are hollow and light, thought by some to help the cattle when swimming between islands in Lake Chad.
Kuri is a meat and milk animal, with an average lactation yield of 600–700 kg and a live weight of up to 650 kg. It is a poor draught animal. They are white or light grey, sometimes with dark spots on the flanks.
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3. White Fulani (Bunaji)
The White Fulani is an indigenous breed found in Northern Nigeria, accounting for about half of Nigeria’s cattle population.
It has the ability to thrive under a variety of conditions. It is fairly large, with a height of about 130 cm. Bulls weigh about 500 kg, and cows weigh around 325 kg. The hump is large and well-developed, the navel flap is small, and the horns are of medium length and lyre-shaped. The typical coat color is white.
White Fulani is a triple-purpose breed, producing up to 2,300 kg of milk per lactation. Crossbreeding White Fulani with Holstein increases milk production, as seen at NAPRI-Shika, Zaria. The age at first calving is 42–45 months, but in Fulani herds, it can be as high as 5 years. They provide much of the beef consumed throughout Nigeria.
4. Sokoto Gudali
This breed is found predominantly in the former Sokoto Province (now Sokoto State). It is also called Bokologi.
Sokoto Gudali is a medium-sized, short-horned breed with a pronounced hump and navel fold. The usual coat color is grayish, white, or creamy. The hair is short, and the skin is thick and pigmented. The ears are pendulous.
Sokoto Gudali is a useful milking breed, with milk yields at Shika (NAPRI) being higher than those of White Fulani. It has a calving interval of 360–450 days. It is also a useful beef animal, with mature live weights ranging from 300 to 550 kg.
5. Muturu
Muturu is a West African dwarf short-horn breed, found in the coastal areas of West Africa. It is resistant to trypanosomiasis. Muturu cattle are humpless, typically having a dark brown or black coat color. The body is compact, and mature bulls can weigh up to 300 kg. It is a very hardy breed and often acts as a scavenger in many local communities.
Other cattle breeds found in Nigeria include Keteku, Adamawa Gudali, and Red Fulani (Rahaji).
6. Specialized Cattle Breeds
In developed countries, cattle breeds have been selected and improved upon for specific purposes such as milk and meat production. Examples of some specialized breeds are as follows:
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Beef Cattle Breeds
These are breeds specifically bred for beef, and their origins lie outside Nigeria.
1. Hereford: This breed is native to England. Its coat color ranges from light to dark red, with a distinctive white face.
2. Brahman: This is an American Zebu breed, mostly white in color.
3. Aberdeen Angus: Native to Scotland, this breed has a black coat and is polled. It matures at an early age and yields a good quality carcass.
Dairy Cattle Breeds
There are five common dairy cattle breeds:
1. Holstein-Friesian: Originating from Holland, this breed’s coat is typically white or black. It is largely a dairy breed, with cows weighing 567 kg and bulls weighing 816 kg.
2. Jersey: This breed originates from the Island of Jersey in Britain. Its coat color ranges from light brown to black, with a black muzzle encircled by a white ring. Jersey is the smallest of the European cattle breeds.
3. Guernsey: Guernsey cattle originated from the Channel Islands. Their coat is light brown to red with white markings on the face, legs, switch, and flank.
4. Ayrshire: Ayrshire cattle are red with white markings or white with red markings, and their coat color is variegated.
5. Brown Swiss: This breed originates from Switzerland. Its coat color ranges from light to almost black.
There are many breeds of cattle worldwide. The ones studied in this article represent only a few examples. Breeds of cattle found in Nigeria have not been selectively improved to identify their specific purposes, while elsewhere, cattle are specialized for either milk or meat production. Some breeds are, however, multi-purpose.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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