Effects of seasonal factors on the milk composition of dairy cows in Tafawa Balewa L.G.A, Bauchi State

This study compared the nutrient composition of milk between cattle breeds of Bunaji, Rahaji, Sokoto gudali and Adamawa gudali for both rainy and dry season. One hundred questionnaires were administered to respondents and 5% had milk yield of 3litre/day. 55% recorded 2 litre/day of milk while 40% had the least yield of 1litre/day. That early lactation produces highest milk quantity. The result of laboratory analysis showed that season have effect on nutrient composition of cow milk. It was observed that the early dry season milk composition was better for Bunaji, Rahaji, Sokoto gudali except for Adamawa gudali. For rainy season comparison, early rainy season milk composition was better for Bunaji, Sokoto gudali, Adamawa gudali except for Rahaji. Moisture content in dry season (70.08%) was lower (P>0.05) than moisture content in rainy season (87.36%) for Bunaji breed, similar result was obtained for Rahaji, Sokoto gudali and Adamawa gudali. The energy content and carbohydrate were higher (P<0.05) in the dry season for Bunaji(132.15KCal and 14.06%), Rahaji (126.20KCal and 14.55%), Sokoto gudali (148.00KCal and 22.05%) and Adamawa gudali (135.18KCal and 20.99%). The crude protein of analysed milk was slightly higher (P<0.05) in rainy season for Bunaji (5.64%), but higher in dry season for Rahaji (5.48%), Sokoto gudali (7.47%) and Adamawa gudali (6.01%). ether extract were all higher in dry season for breeds except Sokoto gudali. crude fibre was higher (5.34% Bunaji, 5.28% Rahaji, 3.45% S. gudali, 4.04% A. gudali) in dry season for all breed. Milk in all the four breeds of cattle have more of the nutrient composition in dry season at a higher level. Seasonal variation and climatic factors like rain, humidity and wind affects milk composition and cattle production in terms of pasture availability and the quality. The herders need to be encouraged to engaged in modern way of herding by possessing land for farming, they can rent it in exchange of crop residues and they can cultivate their personal farm produce and faster yielding pasture can be cultivated.