Factors affecting the performance of Holstein crossbred cows under farmingcondition

Abstract

The study was conducted in Chittagong area of Bangladesh with eleven dairy farms to know the live weight, lactation production, calf birth weight and calf mortality of the Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbreed according to age, lactation number and body condition score (BCS) of the cows. The study was conducted in the period of January to March 2018 and 350 dairy cows were included in the study. Data were collected through a preformed questionnaire mainly by direct contact of the farm officials and records of the farm. Number of milking cows of different farms according to farm and lactation number were studied. The highest number of cows were recorded under lactation 1 and lowest was under lactation 7. The live weight (288.61±2.07kg) was highest at the age of 7 years, and at the 4th lactation (288±1.96 kg) and the BCS of 4 (276.56 ± 1.89 Kg). In addition to the live weight of cows lactation production was highest (3111 ± 77.34 kg) at the age of 6 years and at the 3rd lactation (2979±78.2kg) and at BCS of 3 (2774.576 ± 86.33), furthermore calf mortality (10±0.03 %) was lowest at the age of 3 years and at the 1st lactation (14±0.03%) and BCS of 3 (22±0.032%). It can be concluded that cow in lactation third under age 6 with BCS 3 was produced highest dairy milk yield under commercial farming conditions of Bangladesh.