Productivity of crossbred cattle on smallholder farms in southern Malawi.

A 10-year set of dairy records from a smallholder dairy scheme in the Republic of Malawi was analysed. Environmental and breed effects on the reproductive and productive parameters were evaluated. Age at first calving for 110, 1/2 Friesian and 55, 3/4 Friesian cows were 36.7 and 40.1 months respectively; calving intervals based on 432 and 145 records were 488 and 482 days; total lactation yields on 554 and 227 records were 1,950 and 2,452 kg. Geographical area of operation, parity of cow, year and month of calving and their interactions did not exert a significant influence on reproductive traits but significantly influenced milk production traits. Deficiency in feed supplies was believed to be a possible cause of problems in reproductive performance.