Effect of Seasons on Expressions of Milking Parlour Behaviours and Milk Yield of Crossbred Jersey Cows in Tropical Climate

Abstract

Background: Milking behaviour of dairy cows has remarkable influences on their production efficacy. A number of genetic and environmental features controls and affects lactating behaviour of dairy cow. The aim of present study was to investigate the influence of seasons on milking behaviour and milk production of Jersey crossbred cows in tropical climate. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 94 Jersey crossbred cows maintained at organized dairy farm at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India and there lactating behavioural features were studied during milking time inside the milking parlour under different seasons. The study period was divided into 3 season’s viz. rainy (September-October), winter (November-February) and summer (March-May). Result: Seasons showed influence upon milking behaviour and milk yield of cows. Temperament of cows were least (1.91±0.03) during winter seasons as compare to rainy and summer (2.15±0.03; 2.09±0.03) respectively and it differed significantly (P less than 0.01), simultaneously daily milk yield were also more (9.36±0.11) kgs during winter seasons as compare to rainy and summer (6.63±0.13; 8.58±0.13) respectively and it differed significantly (P less than 0.01). It can be concluded from the study that seasons showed significant influence on the milking behavioural features and milk yield in Jersey crossbred cows in tropical climate, which suggests that if dairy animals get favourable micro-climatic environment and reduced level of environmental stress they will behave more favourably and simultaneously their production efficacy also inclines.