The reproductive performance, growth rate and wastage in dairy and beef herds in the humid forest zone of Ghana

Abstract

Reproductive performances of N'Dama and N'Dama x Friesian crossbreds at Baodi dairy and beef farm are investigated. Herd records were analysed to evaluate reproductive performance, growth rate and wastage of herd, from 1981 to 1990. The crossbreds out performed the pure line N'Dama in terms of calving intervals, calving percentage and the pattern of calving observed. Mortality rates were higher in the crossbreds than in the N'Dama. Most of the mortalities occurred in the first three months after birth.