Effect of non-genetic factors on linear type traits in Karan fries (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) and Sahiwal (Bos indicus) cows in sub-tropical climatic conditions of India

Abstract

The focus of present study was to find out the effect of non-genetic factors on linear type traits in Karan Fries and Sahiwal cows reared at an organized farm of northern India. The present study was conducted on Lactating Karan Fries (N = 123) and Sahiwal (N = 133) cows maintained at Livestock Research Center of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India during the period of 2017–2019. Total eight udder morphometric traits and seven teat morphometric traits were measured. The linear model including fixed effects of season, parity and stage of lactation was used for the analysis. In Karan Fries cows, linear type traits were significantly affected by parity and stage of lactation, while in Sahiwal cows linear type traits were significantly affected by season, parity and stage of lactation. Udder depth (UD) and udder circumference (UC) were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by season, parity and stage of lactation in Sahiwal cattle, while in Karan Fries cattle udder length (UL) and shortest distance from rear teat ends to floor (SDR) were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by parity and stage of lactation. The results pertaining to present study indicated that season, parity and stages of lactation were important sources of variation for most of linear type traits. Adjustment of data for these effects is necessary to reduce known differences between animals and to obtain reliable estimates of the traits.