Identification and characterisation of elite performing Ankole longhorn cattle for milk production: a case study on multilevel mixed models fitting

Abstract

A survey of the African indigenous milk cow performance was done among 40 cattle keepers in Mbarara district of Uganda, between January 1997 and December 1997. Recording of AM (morning) milk off takes was undertaken in eight areas of Mbarara district which represent different production systems and vegetation types. The aim of the study was to identify and characterise a group of elite milking cows among the indigenous Ankole Longhorn cattle. For the analysis, the data collected was modified by removal of some milk yields that were considered extreme values. Analysis was done both on complete data set and the data after some outlier values were removed.