Influence du système de production et du temps de pâture sur la production de lait des vaches Borgou au Bénin

Influence of Farming System and Grazing Time on Milk Production of Borgou Cows in Benin. In order to better assess the impact of two environmental factors on milk production for corrective action, the effects of the rearing farm and grazing time on milk production of Borgou cows in Benin were studied. To this end, the experiment was conducted on a total of 167 Borgou cows including 27 cows; 56 cows and 84 cows respectively reared in Samiondji, Bétécoucou and Okpara Breeding farms. These three farms apply semi-improved breeding system. As part of the evaluation of grazing time, two lots of Borgou cows were formed in Okpara breeding farm. Cows of lot 1 (64 cows) grazed daily during six hours (10 am to 16 pm) and those of lot 2 (20 cows) during nine hours (9 am to 18 pm). Lactating cows were each beforehand identified by their numbers, the farm they belong to or their breeding lot. Milk collection was made once a week per cow. As a result, the average daily production (0.9±0.2 l) of Samiondji Borgou cows was higher than those obtained respectively by Okpara cows (0.8±0.1 l) and Betecoucou cows (0.7±0.1 l), although the differences were not significant. However, significant differences (p