Study on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Dairy Cattle in Burichang Upazila of Cumilla District

Abstract

This study was carried out to explore the reproductive and productive performance of crossbred cows, most likely from the Friesian, Sahiwal, and Sindhi cross (Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal cross, Holstein Friesian × Sindhi cross and Sahiwal × Sindhi cross). A total of 120 cows in all were chosen at random from the Burichang upazila of Cumilla district. The result showed that for the Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal cross, Holstein Friesian × Sindhi cross and Sahiwal × Sindhi cross, the mean milk yield and lactation length were found to be 8.6 ± 0.74, 6.4 ± 1.32, and 4.8 ± 0.65 litre/day and 218.22±8.35, 284.69±1.64, 251.77±3.66, and 259.77±4.91 days respectively. It demonstrates that in terms of lactation duration and milk quality (milk fat, protein and SNF percentage) the Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal cross performs best (3.58 ± 0.46, 3.27 ± 0.13 and 8.84 ± 0.21). Regarding reproductive performance, data indicates that Sahiwal × Sindhi cows, require a minimum of 1.56 ± 0.68 services for each conception. The gestation length varied within Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal and Holstein Friesian × Sindhi crosses in a narrow range (278.6 ± 4.02 to 278.2 ± 4.35 days), with the gestation length of the Sahiwal × Sindhi cross being shorter (277.4 ± 4.16 days). Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were lower in Sahiwal × Sindhi cows (10.54 ± 0.42, 5.78 ± 0.54 and 1.82 ± 0.98) mg/dl than its counterparts. It was concluded that production and reproduction performance of Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal cross were superior to other crossbred cows.