Effect of parity, period and season of calving on production and reproduction traits on Deoni cattle

Abstract

A total of 710 lactation records of 274 Deoni cattle, maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Southern Campus, Bangalore were used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on production and reproduction traits. Lactation records of Deoni cows were classified into five parity (1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5), six period of two years interval (2002 to 2013) and three seasons i.e., winter (November-February), summer (March-June) and rainy ( July-October). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 16.0 software for Windows. On analysis, overall mean lactation milk yield, lactation length, service period and calving interval were estimated as 819.98 ± 16.5 kg, 195.23 ± 2.62, 158.78 ± 3.5 and 445.97 ± 3.67 days, respectively. Effect of parity and period on lactation milk yield and length was found to be highly significant (P<0.01). Significant influence (P<0.01) of period was observed on service period and calving interval of the cattle. Lactation milk yield of Deoni cattle was significantly influenced (P<0.05) by season of calving. Effect of season on lactation length, service period and calving interval was found to be non-significant, however on lactation milk yield it was found to be significant (P<0.05). Thus, present study concludes the significant influence of parity, period and season of calving on lactation milk yield that would be helpful for estimation of genetic parameters and further improvement of the breed.