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Agriculture for Secondary Schools

of the day and are confined for additional feeding and protection. The intensive
system, also called zero-grazing, keeps cattle indoors full-time where feeds and
water are provided. This system suits small plots of land and is suitable for high-
yield dairy breeds.
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Cattle breeds for dairy production

Different dairy cattle breeds are raised depending on the environment and purpose.
Generally, there are three main breed types commonly raised in Tanzania: local
breeds, exotic breeds and crossbreeds. Local breeds include Zebu, Sahiwal,
and Mpwapwa. These breeds are disease-resistant and can survive in hot or dry
climates. However, they have low milk production potential.
Exotic breeds have high milk production potential, but they require relatively
better management. Examples of exotic breeds are Friesian, Jersey, Ayrshire,
Brown Swiss, and Guernsey. Crossbreeds combine local and exotic breed traits;
as a result, they give higher milk yields compared to local breeds while resisting
diseases better than exotic ones. Crossbreeds are popular among Tanzanian
farmers due to their adaptability to local conditions. Figures 9.1 (a) to (f) show
some of the breeds of dairy cattle.

Figure 9.1 (a): Mpwapwa breed Figure 9.1 (b): Friesian breed

Figure 9.1 (c): Jersey breed Figure 9.1 (d): Ayrshire breed

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