PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF INDIGENOUS AND CROSSBRED COWS BRED ARTIFICIALLY IN GOBINDAGANJ UPAZILA OF GAIBANDHA DISTRICT

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the productive and reproductive performances of crossbred and indigenous cows through artificial insemination. The study was conducted at farmer’s level in different areas in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha district from January 2021 to December 2021. Based on the goal of the study, a total of 100 dairy cows were examined across three genotypes. According to their genetic composition selected genotypes were Friesian cross (F×I=45), Sahiwal cross (SL×I=35) and Indigenous (I=20). The three breeds differ significantly in terms of reproductive traits. The results showed that shortest age at puberty (20.77±0.10 month), age at first service (22.65±0.22 month), age at first calving (31.95±0.30 month), gestation period (278.44±0.97 days) and calving interval (404.20±2.31 days) in Friesian cross. On the contrary longest age at puberty, age at first service, age at first calving, gestation period and calving interval were 25.58±0.11 month, 27.08±0.11 month, 37.01±0.34 month, 284.30±1.08 and 453.30±2.91 days found in indigenous cow, respectively. There is no significant effect of service per conception between indigenous and crossbred cows. Where indigenous cows need minimum (1.20±0.09) services per conception though Sahiwal cross required for maximum (1.56±0.13) service per conception. Regarding productive attributes, significant variations between indigenous and crossbred cows were identified. It was observed that highest birth weight, milk yield per day and lactation length were 25.08±0.58 kg, 13.44±.54 liter and 287.72±2.52 days, respectively found in Friesian cross. On the other side lowest birth weight, milk yield per day and lactation length were 13.55±0.98 kg, 2.30±0.12 liter and 229.3±2.52 days, respectively observed in indigenous. It was revealed that the Friesian cross is superior in relation to milk production and lactation length. From the above point of view, it could be concluded that Friesian cross cows might be suitable for profitable dairy farming compared to other breed in this study area. However, further study with greater sample sizes covering more different management systems would be required to describe a better inference in this consideration.