Effect of Environmental Factors on Production and Reproduction Traits of Vrindavani Cattle

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to understand the effect of season of calving, period of calving and parity on productive and reproductive performance in a Vrindavani herd of 591 cows at the Cattle and Buffalo farm, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India from 2011 to 2016. The least squares fixed model analysis by SAS indicated overall least squares means (± standard error) of 3134.88 ± 50.41 kg, 3222.25 ± 38.25 kg, 17.06 ± 0.16 kg, 318.69 ± 3.91 days, 73.51 ± 3.22 days, 408.05 ± 4.04 days and 123.63 ± 3.23 days for total lactation milk yield (TLMY), 305 days milk yield (MY305), peak yield (PY), total lactation length (TLL),  dry period (DP), calving interval (CI) and service period (SP), respectively. The season of calving had significant influence on TLMY, PY, TLL, DP, SP (P<0.01) and CI (P<0.05). The TLMY and TLL showed better performance in summer whereas winter had better values for PY, DP, SP and CI. For a comprehensive assessment of the effect of season, there is a need to consider threshold traits in addition to production and reproduction traits. Effect of period of calving was significant on TLMY, TLL (P<0.01), SP (P<0.05). Among the three periods, performance in period I and II was better. Parity had significant effect on MY305, PY, CI, SP (P<0.01) and TLMY (P<0.05). In general, parity did not follow a particular trend. The results indicated that environmental factors have significant effects on productive and reproductive performance of Vrindavani cows in the herd under study.