Assessment of relation among production and reproduction traits in Sahiwal cattle at an organized herd of northern India

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to assess the relation between different production and reproduction traits in Sahiwal cattle. Data up to sixth parity related to different production and reproduction traits of Sahiwal cattle maintained at an organized herd of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal spread over a span of 29 years (1988–2016) were utilized. Various production and reproduction traits considered were 305-day milk yield (305DMY), total milk yield (TMY), lactation length (LL), dry period (DP), age at calving (AAC), calving to first insemination interval (CFI), days open/service period (DO), calving interval (CI) and pregnancy rate (PR) up to sixth parity. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between different production and reproduction traits were estimated in addition to analysis of graphs between these traits up to sixth parity in Sahiwal cattle. The genetic correlations of 305DMY, TMY and LL with DO and CI were positive. Likewise, the phenotypic correlations of 305DMY, TMY and LL with CFI, DO and CI were significantly positive suggesting that cows with high milk yield have longer calving to first insemination interval, days open and calving interval. These findings confirm antagonistic relation between production and reproduction traits. Therefore, reproduction traits should also be taken into consideration along with production traits for genetic evaluation, selection of superior germplasm as well as for formulating suitable breeding programs for sustainable genetic improvement of Sahiwal cattle. Abbreviations: AAC, age at calving; CFI, calving to first insemination interval; CI, calving interval; 305DMY, 305-day milk yield; DP, dry period; DO, days open; LL, lactation length; TMY, total milk yield; PR, pregnancy rate