Uganda’s indigenous Ankole Longhorn cattle are producing increasing amounts of milk following a breeding programme aimed at improving the breed’s dairy potential without introducing exotic dairy genetics.
The programme, being implemented by the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) at Nshaara Conservation Ranch in Kiruhura District, uses selective breeding, pedigree records, performance monitoring and improved feeding to identify and multiply Ankole cattle with naturally higher milk yields.
The initiative started about three years ago with the identification of superior pure Ankole cattle within the ranch and the introduction of selected Ankole genetics from other recognised conservation herds, including the Kisozi Ankole Longhorn conservation and improvement herd.
NAGRC&DB says the programme is not intended to crossbreed the Ankole with exotic dairy breeds, but rather to identify and build on milk-producing traits that already exist within the indigenous population.
Dr Innocent Tuwangye, the manager of Nshaara Conservation Ranch, said the breeding programme is designed to improve milk production while preserving the characteristics of the Ankole breed.
“We are not trying to turn the Ankole into an exotic dairy cow. We are identifying superior dairy traits that already exist within the pure Ankole population and systematically selecting and multiplying those genetics,” Tuwangye said.
The selection process considers milk yield, lactation length, udder structure and calving intervals. Replacement heifers are assessed using their mothers’ production, growth and fertility records, alongside physical characteristics such as body structure, udder development and temperament.
The programme also gives attention to breeding bulls, particularly those born to cows with high milk production. The bulls are assessed for growth, body size, maturity, reproductive soundness, testicular development and temperament.
Production records show a steady increase in milk output at the ranch. In 2023, the herd recorded an average productivity of 5.2 litres per cow per day, with total annual production of about 56,040 litres. The number of active milking cows increased from 24 in January to 35 by December.
In 2024, average productivity rose to seven litres per cow per day, while annual production increased to about 106,358 litres. The number of milking cows grew from 36 to 47 during the year.
By December 2025, average productivity had reached 8.6 litres per cow per day, while annual recorded production stood at about 168,285 litres. The milking population increased from 47 cows in January to 60 by December.
According to the records, average productivity increased by about 65.4 percent between 2023 and 2025.
Some individual cows have also recorded significantly higher yields than traditionally expected from Ankole cattle. While a cow under traditional production conditions may produce around two litres during morning milking, selected cows at Nshaara are recording between five and 10 litres in a single morning milking session, with exceptional animals producing up to 12 litres.
One cow has recorded a peak morning yield of 14 litres.
However, NAGRC&DB officials say genetic selection alone cannot guarantee high milk production. The ranch has therefore improved feeding by supplementing grazing with hay and silage produced at Nshaara.
Dr Peter Beine, the NAGRC&DB executive director, said the experience at the ranch shows the importance of combining breeding with proper animal nutrition.
“Selection identifies the animal with superior genetic potential, but nutrition determines how effectively that potential is expressed,” Beine said.
He said production records are being used not only to select breeding animals but also to improve feeding and management practices.
The programme is now moving beyond identifying individual high-producing cows to establishing superior family lines whose performance can be maintained across generations.
NAGRC&DB says continued pedigree recording, identification of elite cows, selection of replacement heifers from high-performing maternal lines and careful selection of breeding bulls will be important in achieving this goal.
For the researchers and breeders at Nshaara, the long-term objective is to develop a productive pure Ankole population that can produce more milk while retaining the breed’s indigenous genetic identity, adaptability and resilience.