GM 24. Creole cattle of Guadeloupe performance - Analysis of fifteen years of work

In order to analyse the animal production of the Creole cattle of Guadeloupe, a general review of the data collected in an experimental station was conducted. The cows used pastures of natural savannas or irrigated and fertilized pangola grass. The reproduction was conducted by natural mating during 60 days, at two seasons. After weaning at 205 days, young males and heifers were fed in different fattening systems or on pastures. Different linear model analysis were performed, according to the data collected. The Creole cows exhibit a high fertility (82.6 %), slightly influenced by their body condition score. They show also a good lifetime production, with a mean of 5 calvings. All the factors had highly significant effects on growth before weaning, with coefficients of determination varying between 36.5 % and 60.1 %. The higher production is obtained with cows at their sixth calving, with weaning weight and growth rate to weaning 13 % higher than the first calving (153.8 kg and 612 g/d). After weaning, males maintained on pastures reached 317 kg at 18 month, with an average daily gain of 503g/d. Heifers, in different conditions, weighted 243 kg at 20 months. These results suggest the interest of this local breed, for its adaptation to tropical conditions.