The Effect of Non Genetic Factors on Milk Production in BBPTU HPT Baturraden Central Java

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify non-genetic factors that influence milk production in dairy cows at the National Center Breeding for Dairy Cattle and Forage (BBPTU HPT) of Baturraden. The data examined were 1821 production records from 699 dairy cows that had completed 1-6 lactation. Non-genetic factors studied were season, lactation period, number of lactation days and age at calving. The effect of non-genetic factors is analyzed by multiple regression. The results showed that number of days milked had highly significant effect (P <0.01) and the age at calving had significant effect (P <0.10) on milk production. It is concluded that the number of days milked and age of animals at calving are important factors which need to be included in genetic analysis of milk production to avoid misleading conclusion when evaluating animals.