Breeds of cattle differ from region and from one ecological zone to another, acclimatized to the specific zones or regions.

A breed is defined as a group of animals having a common origin and possessing certain members of the same species.

These characteristics are uniform by transmitted from generation and important to know.

It is therefore, necessary and important to know the various breeds either they are for dairy or beef to plan for their various management practices to improve production.

This article will consider the breeds of cattle with particular reference to the tropical Nigerian breeds.

List of Nigerian Breeds of cattle

The Nigerian breeds of cattle fall into several categories which are discussed in the following;

1. N’dama

It spread to most part of W/Africa from the Fouta Djallou highland of Guinea. It has acclimatized to conditions of the rain forest up to the southern limit of the north Zebu breeds.

It is a small, limbless, well-built animal with a straight top line and short, fine limb. The coat colour is usually yellow, fawn or light red. The udder of he female is very small and set high between the legs.

They are poor milkers (450kg maximum), sometimes used for draught purposes, essentially beef animals, tolerant to trypanosomiasis but breaks down under stress. Has meat of good quality. Matured live weight are 230
-420kg.

2. Kuri

It is restricted to Lake Chad area and part of Borno state. Kuri cattle live on the island and the shores around the Lake Chad.

It is a tall animal with enormous circular or bulbous horns very thick at the base and humpless.

The large horns are hollow and light are thought by some to help the cattle when swimming from one island to another in Lake Chad.

The Kuri is a meat and milk animal with average lactation yield of 600 – 700kg and a live weight of up to 650kg. It is a poor draught animal. They are white, light grey, sometimes with dark sports on the flanks.

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3. White Fulani (Bunaji)

It is an indigenous breed found in Northern Nigeria and accounts for about half the cattle population of Nigeria. It has the ability to thrive under a variety of conditions. It is fairly large, height about 130cm, bull weigh about 50kg, cows 325kg.

The hump is large and well-developed, navel flab is small and horns are of medium length and lyre shaped. The typical colour is white.

The white Fulani is a triple-purpose, with milk production of 2300kg per lactation. Crosses of white Fulani and Holstein increases milk production at NAPRI-Shika, Zaria.

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 through out Nigeria.

4. Sokoto Gudali

This breed is found predominantly in the former Sokoto province (Sokoto State). It is also called Bokologi. This is a medium sized, short hormed breed. The develop, hump, and navel fold are pronounced.

The usual coat colour is gravish, white or creamy. The hair is short and the skin is thick and pigmented. The ear are pendulous. Sokoto candali are useful milkers. Their milk yield at Shika (NAPRI) are higher than for white Fulani.

It has a calving interval of 360-450 days. It is also a useful beef animal. The matured live weight ranges from 300 -550kg.

5. Muturu

This is a West African dwarf short horn. It is found in the coastal area of West Africa. The breed is resistant to trypanosomiasis. The muturu is a humpless cattle usually having a dam brown or black coat colour.

The body is compact and at maturity the bull can weigh up to 300kg. It is a very hardy breed and in most local community, it acts as a scavenger. Other cattle breeds found in Nigeria include Keteku, Adamawa Gudali, Red Fulani (Rahaji)

Specialized Cattle Breeds

In the developed countries of the world cattle breeds have been selected and improved upon for specific purposes of milk and meat production (dairy and beef). Examines of some specialized breeds are:

1. Beef Cattle Breeds

There are categories of cattle breed for beef and their origins are outside the shores of Nigeria as indicated in the following discussion.

1. Hereford: This breed is native to England, coat colour is very distinctive ranging from light to dark red, the colour of the face is white.

2. Brahman: This is an American Zebu mostly white in colour.

3. Aberden Angus: The breed is native to Scotland. Coat colour is black. The breed is polled. They matured at an early age and yield good quality carcass.

2. Dairy Cattle Breeds

There are five common dairy breeds. They are;

1. Hoiston-Frisian: Originated from Holland. Coat colour is mostly white or black. This is largely dairy breeds cow weight 567kg ewe 816kg bulls.

2. Jersey: Originate from the of Island of Jersey in Britain coat colour is light brown to black, black muzzle with a white ring encircling. Jersey is smallest of European breeds of cattle.

3. Guernsey: Originated from channel Island. Colour is light brown to red with white markings on the face, legs, switch and flank.

4. Ayrshire: Red with white markings or white with red marking. Colour is variegated.

5. Brown Swiss: Originate from Switzerland. Colour is light to almost black.

In conclusion, breeds of cattle found in Nigeria have not been improved upon to identify their specific purpose. Elsewhere, cattle are specialized either for milk or meat. Some are however multi-purpose.

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