In the first place this particular breed is little known and not very common in Burkina Faso. However, later on we met with a number of livestock keepers who had already made the choice and were very satisfied. Secondly, the Ministry of Animal Resources of Burkina seems to never have taken the Goudali into consideration, but has launched a support program for the Azawak breed. And those who turned to the Azawak seem to be satisfied with the milk production.

The difficulty lies in trying to identify the underlying cause for the good yield : is it due to the good performance of the Azawak as such or to the quality of the fodder these animals have been given? Failing a study comparing the Goudali and Azawak in a given area, how is it possible to arrive at an informed opinion ?

But it so happened that these days, when pursuing our research, we came across the such a study. It is produced by the Ministry of Animal Resources of Niger and can be found on the web site of the « Itche Hamada  », a company of Nigerien origin. The findings are sufficiently clear and irrefutable :

The Azawak zebu :
produces 775 to 975 liters in a lactation period of 270 to 300 days

The Goudali zebu :
gives 2047 to 2275 liters in a lactation period ot 246 to 300 days

We are going to contact the Ministry of Animal Resources of Niger to find out more about the particulars of this study. It is possible that « the share of the calf » is included in the production data. But even so, considering that « the Goudali zebu is a docile animal, takes any kind of fodder offered, is resistant to disease and in the end gives 300 kg of meat per carcass » (as reported by a number of cattle keepers), it would be appropriate to say that the Goudali zebu is the right choice.

As available grazing range is diminishing and the stock keepers have great difficulties in feeding their herds properly, the focus becomes clear : they are encouraged to sell two of their current Fulani zebus and buy one Goudali. To avoid problems of inbreeding, they are also encouraged to exchange their best bulls among each other and let them go from one herd to another every year !

Now that the choice is made, it only remains for us to look to the future. It would be a good idea to take the Support program for the wider use of the Azawak (mentioned above) as a guide line.

Goudali stock keepers should form a network and set out some common objectives,

such as :

• The promotion of the Goudali zebu (multiplication, selection and wider use)
• Better feeding to enhance milk production
• Exchange of genetic material between stock keepers
• Facilitated access to purchases of Goudali cattle
• Training for members in animal raising techniques
• Supply of products needed in the process

All this may obviously be carried out together with the dairies and therefore with the National Union of Mini-dairies and local milk producers.

Koudougou March 22nd 2010
Maurice Oudet
Director, SEDELAN

P-S : For those who enjoy cartoonists and a bit of wit, see also abcBurkina 350, where we have included a piece sent in by one of our correspondents : The A Flu and Malaria.