Optimisation of age at first calving in Karan Fries cattle

The study was conducted on the performance records of age at first calving (AFC) spread over a period of 15 years on Karan Fries crossbred cattle maintained at Livestock Research Centre. Data of 676 cows were collected and analysed by Least Squares Technique to examine the effect of non-genetic factors on age at first calving. Period of birth was classified into 5 periods (I-V) and season of calving into 4 seasons (winter, summer, rainy and autumn) to see the effect of non-genetic factors on age at first calving. Effect of period of birth was significant on age at first calving while season of calving showed non-significant effect on age at first calving. The overall least squares mean of age at first calving was 1043.40±6.64 days. For the optimisation of age at first calving with regard to milk productivity, analysis was carried out by class interval method. Age at first calving was classified into 7 classes and its average means of milk yield were obtained by using Least Squares Technique where optimum level of age at first calving was obtained at 885–1100 days based on higher milk yield and numbers of animal observed in different classes. From the study, it was concluded that optimum age at first calving could be achieved through proper nutrition and management practices. However, to determine the optimum level of age at first calving, much emphasis should be given to maximum profit rather than maximizing milk production

Party-group relations in new southern European democracies in the crisis era

UID/CPO/04627/2013 PTDC/IVC-CPO/1864/2014publishersversionpublishe

Not Available

Not AvailableThe study was aimed to investigate the interdependence and distribution of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and intra-mammary infection (IMI) among udder quarters in Jersey crossbred cows reared in hot-humid environment. Total 366 quarter wise morning milk samples were collected aseptically after performing California mastitis test (CMT) at milking byre itself to evaluate the incidence of infection in experimental cows maintained at cattle yard, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal and subjected to microscopic method of somatic cell count to estimate the level of intra-mammary infection. The overall quarter wise incidence rate of IMI and SCM in Jersey crossbred cows was 54.65% and overall arithmetical mean (±SE) of test day SCC (logarithmic) was 5.377 ± 0.039. The percent incidence of SCM in different quarter was 51.14, 59.79, 48.94 and 58.70 in left fore (LF), left hind (LH), right fore (RF) and right hind (RH) quarters respectively. The higher incidence was observed in hind (59.23%) as comparison to fore (50%) quarters while incidence was found to be slightly more distributed in left (55.56%) than right side (53.76%) quarters. Further, the analysis of variance showed that there was no significant effect of quarter on the log 10SCC level. However, the mean Log 10SCC was found higher for hind and right quarters numerically only. The trend of subclinical mastitis incidence obtained in the current study point out that, the rate of incidence of SCM in different quarters was not similar and was higher in hind quarters and therefore, hind and right side quarter required attention during different udder health management programmes.Not Availabl

Optimization of dry period in Karan Fries cow

Aim: The objective of this study was to optimize dry period (DP) length that can maximize the production across adjacent lactations and overall lifetime yield. Materials and Methods: Performance records with respect to DP spread over a period of 15-year in Karan Fries (KF) cattle maintained at Livestock Research Centre (National Dairy Research Institute), were collected for the study. Data of 681 KF cows were analyzed by least square technique to examine the effect of non-genetic factors on DP. Season of calving was classified into four seasons: Winter season (December-March), summer season (April-June), rainy season (July-September), and autumn season (October-November); period of calving into five periods: 1998-2000 (1-period), 2001-2003 (II-period), 2004-2006 (III-period), 2007-2009 (IV-period), and 2010-2012 (V-period), and parity into six parities, i.e., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and ˃6th parities to see the effect of non-genetic factors on DP. Results: Period of calving, season of calving, and parity did not affect the DP significantly (p<0.05). The overall least square mean of DP was 67.93±2.12 days. For the optimization of DP with regard to milk productivity, analysis was carried out by class interval method. DP was classified into eight classes (˂22, 23-45, 46-67, 68-89, 90-111, 112-133, 134-155, and ˃156 days), and optimum level was obtained at 46-67 days (3rd class) with the following respective milk yield (MY) of 305 daily MY (4016.44±43.68 kg), total MY (4704.21±61.51 kg), MY per day of lactation length (13.03±0.13 kg), and MY per day of calving interval (11.68±0.41 kg). Conclusion: From the study, it was concluded that this optimal DP length (46-67 days) is suitable for maximizing the production. Hence, one should aim to dry off pregnant cows to achieve a DP of appropriate length to enhance productivity in the next lactation, as very short and very long DP reduces the economic profitability in dairy animals

Relationship of udder and teat conformation with intra-mammary infection in crossbred cows under hot-humid climate

Aim: The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship of udder shape, teat-end shape, teat length, and teat diameter with intra-mammary infection in Jersey crossbred cows under hot-humid climate. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 lactating Jersey crossbred cows were evaluated for udder shape (pendulous/regular) and teat-end shape (flat/inverted/pointed) by visual examination, while teat length and teat diameter were measured using vernier caliper. Monthly milk sampling was done for 4 months of duration. Few quarters were found as blind or nonfunctional and so, a total of 366 quarter wise milk samples were collected at the monthly interval and subjected to somatic cell count (SCC) microscopically. The data on SCC were transformed into log scale and analyzed. Results: There was a significant (p<0.01) effect of udder shape and teat-end shape on SCC level. The mean SCC level for pendulous udder was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to the regular shaped udder. Similarly, significantly (p<0.05) a higher level of mean SCC was found in flat teat-end shape. A significant (p<0.01) correlation was found between SCC and teat length as well as teat diameter. Conclusion: In conclusion, pendulous udder, flat and inverted teat-end, very long and thick teat were more susceptible to intra-mammary infection in Jersey crossbred cows and these traits must be considered accordingly while selecting dairy animals for future milk production

Not Available

Not AvailableThe present study was undertaken with the objective of influence of various animal factors like parity, stage of lactation, production level and season of calving on milk somatic cell count (SCC) in Jersey crossbred cows reared under hot-humid climatic condition. Total 366 quarter wise morning milk samples were collected aseptically from the experimental cows maintained at cattle yard, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal and subjected to microscopic method of somatic cell count. The estimated overall arithmetical mean (±SE) of SCC (logarithmic) was 5.377 ± 0.039. There was significant (P<0.01) effect of all the animal factors and season of calving on Log10SCC. The SCC was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows of later parities and late stage of lactation. Medium milk producer animals had significant (P<0.05) lower mean SCC as compared to low and high milk producers. The SCC level was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows calved during the summer season followed by cows calved in rainy and winter season. It can be concluded that the animal factors like parity, lactation stage, production level and season of calving has noteworthy effect on milk SCC level in crossbred cows under hot-humid climatic condition and therefore, these factors can be taken into account while selecting dairy animals accompanied by SCC can be used as routine tests to achieve the best strategy for the treatment and prevention of intra-mammary infections (IMI) in dairy cows.Not Availabl

Relationship of prepartum udder and teat measurements with subsequent milk production traits in primiparous Nili-Ravi buffaloes

Aim: This study was conducted to find out the relationship of prepartum udder and teat measurements with subsequent milk production traits in primiparous Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers were selected from Buffalo Farm, Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Regional Station- Bir Dosanjh, Nabha, Patiala, Punjab. The udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder depth, teat length (TL), teat diameter (TD), and teat distances were measured at fortnightly interval from 60 days prepartum until calving. After calving, 60 days total milk yield (TDMY), peak yield (PY), and days taken to attain PY (DPY) were also recorded. The correlation coefficients of various prepartum udder and teat measurements since 60 days prepartum to calving with 60 days TDMY, PY, and DPY were calculated to find out the relationship between the traits in primiparous Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Results: The result envisaged that all udder and teat measurements were increased gradually toward the date of calving in primiparous buffaloes. The UL, UW, left fore (LF) and right rear (RR)TL, RRTD, and the distance between LF to left rear (LR) teat were positively correlated with 60 days TDMY. The UL and UW depicted positive but nonsignificant correlation with PY. Fore TLs showed positive correlation where as TDs and teat distances had a negative correlation with the DPY in primiparous Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Conclusion: It was concluded that milk production performance could be assessed on the basis of prepartum udder and teat measurements in primiparous Nili-Ravi buffaloes