Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Cattle under Intensive Management Condition
Hamzo Khan Kunbhar1*, Allah Bachayo Lasi2, Akeel Ahmed Memon1
1Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. 2Department of Livestock, Government of Baluchistan, Pakistan.
*Correspondence | Hamzo Khan Kunbhar, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan; Email: drkunbhar@gmail.com
Abstract
The study was carried out at Nagori Dairy Farm, Karachi, Pakistan to investigate the reproductive and productive traits of twenty Crossbred (Holstein-Friesian x Red Sindhi cattle 50% blood level) and twenty Red Sindhi cattle under intensive management conditions. A significant (<0.05) difference was found between the groups for age at puberty, age at first calving, calving interval, 1st post-partum estrus. Mean values for these traits were 616.850 ± 23.50, 928.350 ± 31.803, 413.050 ± 10.362, 105.05 ± 9.004 days in Red Sindhi cattle and 451.650 ± 21.660, 796.5 ± 39.771, 372.200 ± 7.486, 45.300 ± 5.671 days in Crossbred cows, respectively. Slightly higher values for gestation length were observed in Red Sindhi (280.200 ± 0.596 days) than Crossbred cattle (277.35 ± 1.155 days). Significantly higher milk yield per lactation was recorded in Crossbred cows (6052.250 ± 275.444 kg) than Red Sindhi cows (3952.2 ± 137.209 kg). No significant (>0.05) difference was found for service period and dry period between groups. Mean values for service period and dry period were 124.15 ± 10.162 and 89.700 ± 0.596 days in Red Sindhi cows and 181.700 ± 59.199 and 86.950 ± 5.504 days in Crossbred cows. Both groups (Red Sindhi cattle and Crossbred cattle) calved normally at 75% and 65%, respectively. Normal expulsion (within 6-8 hrs.) of placenta was 85% in Red Sindhi and 80% in Crossbred cattle. In conclusion, reproductive and productive performance of Crossbred cattle was significantly superior to the local cattle breed in the study area.
Keywords | Reproduction, Performance, Crossbred cattle, Intensive management
