Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of season and lactation number on milk yields in Holstein dairy cows at Kabul Bini Hesar Dairy Farm. For this purpose, data were collected from the dairy farm herd book records during 1392-1393 (2013-2014). Considering the milk yield stages of the cows, the total milk production was highest during the spring season 18,454.95 ± 33 L followed by summer 17,060.85 ± 34.5 L while the lowest milk production obtained in winter 16,398.45 ± 31.5 L. Moreover, the average daily milk production of the cows was significantly different (p 0.05) between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd lactations and the amounts were 12.04 ± 0.7, 13.24 ± 0.8 and 14.10 ± 0.6 L/day respectively. Milk yields of individual cows were gradually increased from 1st to 3rd lactation. The highest milk yield was recorded in 3rd lactation and the lowest was in 1st. From this study it was found that season and lactation number had a significant effect on the milk quantity.
Highlights
Afghanistan is an agricultural country where the majority of its people are engaged in agriculture and livestock [1]
The average milk production of Holstein Frisian breed in different seasons was estimated and it was noticed that the highest average of 18,454.95 ± 33 L milk production in spring season followed by 17,060.85 ± 34.5 L in summer and lowest in winter, as 16,398.45 ± 31.5 L respectively
The highest milk yield was recorded in 3rd lactation (14.10 ± 0.6 L) and lowest was in 1st lactation (12.04 ± 0.7 L)
Summary
Afghanistan is an agricultural country where the majority of its people are engaged in agriculture and livestock [1]. The cattle performance being considerably low in the country might be due to improper nutrition and management or weather condition. Their carcass yield is low, the duration of lactation is short and the amount of milk they produce during their lactation periods is not enough. The role of the cow is considered valuable and strengthening the national economy [3] Climate factors such as air temperature and humidity often limit animal performance [4], like reduction in milk yield, feed intake [5], intestinal metabolisms and reproduction [6]. [10] and [11] reported that the animal breed, stage of lactation, parity and milking frequency influence performance production
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