Productive and Reproductive Performance of Different Crossbred Cattle at Sylhet Govt. Dairy Farm

Abstract

The study was conducted at Sylhet Govt. dairy farm to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance of Jersey× Frisian (J×F), Jersey × Local (J×L) and Sahiwal × Local (SL×L.) crossbred during the period of April 2007 to August 2009. Data on milk yield and different reproductive traits like lactation length, milk yield, length of dry period, service per conception, gestation length and post-partum heat period were evaluated. Results indicated that milk yield, length of dry period, service per conception and post-partum heat period were significantly affected (P<0.01) by different crossbred. However, lactation length and service per conception were significantly affected (P<0.01) by parity and interaction of breed × parity. The highest lactation length was observed for the genotype Jersey × Friesian (J×F) and the lowest was Jersey × Local (J×L) in the first and second lactation. The highest milk yield was observed for the genotype J×F and the lowest was J×L. The highest length of dry period was observed in SL× L and lowest was J×F. Furthermore maximum services were required for J×F. The highest gestation length was observed for genotype SL×L. The highest post-partum heat period was observed J×F. The overall reproductive performance of different crossbreds were varied.

Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Cattle under Intensive Management Condition

“…The similar values (90 days) were reported by Ashraf et al (2000) in crossing of local breed x Red Sindhi cows. The results were reported 120.75±18.21days in cross bred cattle (Haque et al, 2011). The reported figures are in range with the results of present study whereas, higher values (154.8 ± 52 days) was reported by Zaman and Ahmed (1994) in Crossbred cattle.…”

“…Two breeding strategies are available for genetic improvement of cattle i.e., selective breeding within the breed and crossbreeding among the breeds (Faleconer and Mackey, 1996). The government of Pakistan is encouraging the import of exotic breeds of dairy cattle with the objective that to rear them as pure breed and use for upgrade of the indigenous non-descriptive cattle in order to improve the reproductive and productive traits of indigenous cattle in the country (Kumar et al, 2014;Haque et al, 2011;Sandhu et al, 2011).…”

“…During last two decades efforts have been made to improve reproductive and productive efficiency of indigenous cattle (Red Sindhi and Sahiwal) breeds by crossing with exotic breeds through Artificial Insemination (Kumar et al, 2014;. The crossbreeding system offers genetic progress in various important traits that drive the dairy industry profitably (Haque et al, 2011) and provides better route to increase the production as much as 2-3 times more than the national average production (Choudhry et al, 1983;Chaudhry, 1992;James, 1993). Calf crop can also be improved through this system (Richard, 2000).…”

“…This system can only be effective if basic infrastructure such as adequate feed supply, disease control and marketing facilities are available (Haque et al, 2011;Umrani 1993). Peri urban area of Karachi is thickly populated with Red Sindhi cattle.…”

“…The reproductive and productive performance of indigenous cattle breed is relatively lower, due to un-exploited genotype and poor nutrition (Ali et al, 2014;Kumar et al, 2014;Boby et al, 2013;Haque et al, 2011). The indigenous breeds of cattle have strong disease resistance and are able to thrive best in extreme climatic conditions, whereas exotic breeds have problems of less tick resistance and susceptible to various contagious diseases (Islam and Bhuihyan, 1997).…”