Survey on dairy cattle milk production and milk quality problems in peri-urban areas in Burkina Faso

A survey study was carried out around two large cities in Burkina Faso to contribute to the understanding of the situation of local milk production and milk processing. Twenty-two dairy farms associated with nine dairy processing units were selected for the study. Two separate questionnaires were used to investigate the prerequisites for animal production and milk processing and the interviews were carried out from August to October 2006. Meanwhile, 110 milk samples from individual cows, 22 farm tank milk samples and nine dairy tank milk samples were analyzed. Results of the survey show that daily milk yield was 1 - 2 L per cow in sedentary traditional farms and 2 - 4 L per cow in semi-intensive farms. Milk temperature at dairy farm level (32.5 +/- 4.6 degrees C) was an important factor reducing milk quality before reaching the collection centre. According to the survey, the use of cottonseed cake in the diet resulted in higher milk yield per cow, both during the rainy and dry season (Chi-square = 9.32; P = 0.01). The use of crossbred cows was also related to higher daily milk yield per cow (Chi-square = 31.80; P = 0.001). It was concluded that more extensive supplementation of diets and cross-breeding would improve milk production in Burkina Faso. Furthermore, milk cooling systems on farm and at dairy processing level are needed.