Red Cattle Research Articles

Genetic Variability and Conservation Challenges in Lithuanian Dairy Cattle Populations.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the genetic variability of open Lithuanian Red and Red-and-White (LRWP) and Lithuanian Black-and-White (LBWP) dairy cattle populations and indicate the differences from the old genotypes of Lithuanian Black-and-White (LBW) and Lithuanian Red cattle (LR), which are currently under a conservation program. In order to gain a better understanding of the populations under conservation and to minimize the potential influence of other breeds, a distinct subgroup was formed that comprised animals whose father and mother belonged to the same breed (LR_pure and LBW_pure). The genetic variability was estimated using the number of founders, pedigree completeness, number of males and females in reproduction and age distribution, generation interval (GI), inbreeding coefficient (F) and effective population size (Ne). The highest average pedigree completeness values in the second generations of the old genotype LR and LBW were 100%. Higher ages of females in the populations under conservation were related to a higher GI and their longer life expectancy. In 2021, the reproductive age of bulls used for insemination within these populations ranged from 5.1 to 27.8 years. The proportions of males producing offspring in their older age indicate that the semen was used from the national gene bank of commercial artificial insemination companies. The GI (>5) in LR and LBW females was higher than that in LRWP and LBWP. The analysis of the data over the 15-year period showed that the GI of males in LRWP and LBWP decreased equally by 38%, while in LR_pure population, it increased by 80%. A high (9.24%) average inbreeding coefficient (F) was found in inbred animals of LR_pure population, while in LBW_pure, it was 5.35% in 2021. The coefficient of inbreeding varied within the different cattle populations. In the open LR population, it ranged from 1.48% to 2.7%, while in the LRWP population, it fell between 2.12% and 3.72%. The lowest effective population size (Ne) concerning the rate of inbreeding was observed in LBW_pure (23) and LR_pure (59), with the highest Ne identified in the LBWP population (462). When considering Ne based on the number of parents, LR_pure displayed the lowest Ne (42), while the highest Ne was found in LBWP (4449). An analysis of local cattle populations reveals that LR faces the most critical situation. This particular population has been steadily declining for a number of years, necessitating additional measures and efforts to safeguard the LR's ancestral genetic makeup. The results of the LBWP analysis also highlight a concerning trend. Even in very large populations with open breeding programs, the effective population size per generation can experience a significant decrease.

Analysis of polymorphisms in genes associated with milk productivity in red steppe and Caucasian brown cow breeds in two natural‐climate zones (mountains and plain) of Dagestan, Russia

Aim. The unique gene pool of indigenous breeds in the Dagestan Caucasus is threatened by the increasingly widespread use of commercial breeds, which in turn risks narrowing the genetic base necessary to increase and maintain existing genetic diversity. For this reason, our research aimed to study the polymorphism of the PRL, PIT‐1, GH genes in red steppe and Caucasian brown cattle raised in the conditions of Dagestan.Methods. Genotyping of red steppe and Caucasian brown cattle was carried out using PCR‐RFLP methods. Using these methods, genetic analysis was carried out and polymorphism of the prolactin, somatotropin and pituitary‐specific transcription factor genes was studied.Results. As a result of the genotyping of an experimental group of red steppe cattle, it was found that the distribution of two alleles and three genotypes (PIT‐1A and PIT‐1B; PIT‐1AA, PIT‐1BB, PIT‐1AB) of the PIT‐1 gene has a specific character. The specificity of the allelic spectrum of the PRL gene is expressed in the high (0.84) frequency of occurrence of the PRLA allele and low (0.16) frequency of the PRLB allele. This is reflected in the presence of homo‐ and heterozygous genotypes with a frequency of occurrence of 73.0; 23.0; 4.0 %, respectively.Conclusion. Applied genetic approaches to improve the productive and breed qualities of livestock, which are modern and based on a more complete analysis of the genetic diversity and genotype of the studied populations, contribute to the conservation of zoned breeds. At the same time, intrapopulation variability and good adaptability should ensure the sustainable development of dairy cattle breeding in various climatic zones.

Construction of a molecular regulatory network related to fat deposition by multi-tissue transcriptome sequencing of Jiaxian red cattle

Intramuscular fat (IMF) refers to the fat that accumulates between muscle bundles or within muscle cells, whose content significantly impacts the taste, tenderness, and flavor of meat products, making it a crucial economic characteristic in livestock production. However, the intricate mechanisms governing IMF deposition, involving non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), genes, and complex regulatory networks, remain largely enigmatic. Identifying adipose tissue-specific genes and ncRNAs is paramount to unravel these molecular mysteries. This study, conducted on Jiaxian red cattle, harnessed whole transcriptome sequencing to unearth the nuances of circRNAs and miRNAs across seven distinct tissues. The interplay of these ncRNAs was assessed through differential expression analysis and network analysis. These findings are not only pivotal in unveiling the intricacies of fat deposition mechanisms but also lay a robust foundation for future research, setting the stage for enhancing IMF content in Jiaxian red cattle breeding.

Polymorphic variants of the PIT-1 gene in simmental and red steppe cattle of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The search and identification of genes responsible for economically useful traits of cattle is relevant. Dairy productivity as a complex quantitative trait, is controlled by a large number of genes and their transcription factors taking into account the physiology of the animal. The dynamics of dairy productivity depends on a number of factors, since the secretory activity of the mammary gland is controlled by a complex of hormones, genes, transcription factors and enzymes. The studied gene Pit-1 (POU1F1) is an informative marker in determining milk and meat productivity. The genotype of an individual determines its productivity potential and the norm of reaction to environmental conditions. Genotypes of the studied gene are identified by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-PDRP) analysis. When analyzing the data, the chi-square test is used to determine the genotype, allele frequencies and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The object of research – DNA of blood of red steppe, simmental breeds of cattle of Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan. According to the results of amplification of Pit-1 gene fragment the PCR product with the size of 451 bp was obtained. According to the results of amplicon splitting the genotypes AA (451 bp), AB (451, 207, 244 bp) and BB (207, 244 bp) were obtained. In the considered farms of the region genotypes BB, AB prevail. In the studied groups of animals of the region high frequency of allele B is observed; in red steppe – 0.689, simmentals – 0.549; frequency of allele A – 0.312; 0.451 respectively. Genetic equilibrium is not disturbed; the criteria of reliability of the empirical distribution to the theoretical one in red steppe breed – 0.04, in simmentals – 0.16. The revealed associations of Pit-1 gene polymorphism can be used for selection and selecting parental pairs at directed breeding.

Pilot study investigating estrus length and estrus behavior in Norwegian Red cattle on a commercial dairy farm.

Norwegian Red has been shown to have high levels of estrus behavior under experimental conditions. However, the estrus behaviors of Norwegian Red cows have not been studied under commercial conditions. A herd of 89 Norwegian Red cows housed in free stalls on concrete, slatted floors, were continuously video monitored for 21 days. Ovarian cyclicity was confirmed in a final study sample group (n = 18) using milk progesterone concentrations. All mounting and standing activities were recorded, and the duration of mount estrus, standing estrus and the differences between these; prestand and poststand, were determined. The cycle stages metestrus, diestrus and proestrus were estimated based on the starting time and ending time of mount estrus. All cows in the final study sample group exhibited the primary estrus sign, 'standing to be mounted' during estrus. Two (11%), eleven (61%) and six (33%) cows exhibited the behavior 'standing to be mounted' during metestrus, diestrus and proestrus, respectively. The number of mounts initiated by individual cows was higher during mount and stand estrus than during the rest of the estrous cycle. This study reports a median duration of mount estrus and stand estrus of 21.0 h (interquartile range (IQR) 15.0 to 27.3) and 14.3 h (IQR 12.0 to 18.8), respectively. The median counts per hour of all mount behaviors were 8.6 (IQR 5.6 to 11.3), 1.51 (IQR 0.3 to 3.8) and 1.7 (IQR 0.8 to 6.0) for standing estrus, prestand and poststand, respectively. This study shows that under commercial conditions the Norwegian Red cow displays a high level of mount and stand activity associated with estrus.

Repeatabilities of individual measures of feed intake and body weight on in-house commercial dairy cattle using a 3-dimensional camera system

In this study a 3-dimensional (3D) camera system was set up to measure individual feed intake of dairy cows in a commercial in-house setting. The system was developed to identify the cows while eating, predict body weight based on the curvature of the back of the cow, and quantify the amount of feed eaten by the cow at each visit of eating. The identification of the cow was based on recognizing the patterns, colors, and curvatures of the back from a reference database obtained in a corridor after milking, where images were taken of all cows with a simultaneous reading of the electronic ear tag. Body weight is predicted using the curvatures of the back of the cow. Feed intake is quantified as the difference in surface of the feed a cow can reach before and after a visit is initiated. This estimate is in liters but converted to kilograms, using the density of the feed in the specific herd. A total of 9,142 cows were measured in 19 herds across 3 breeds: Jersey (2,513 cows), Red Dairy Cattle (2,813 cows), and Holstein (3,816 cows). Mean daily feed intake was higher for Red Dairy Cattle (61.72 kg) and Holstein (64.59 kg) than for Jersey (55.74 kg). Repeatability estimates for daily feed intake as a weekly average was 0.62, 0.65, and 0.63 for Jersey, Red Dairy, and Holstein cattle, respectively. Mean body weight was higher for Red Dairy (647.9 kg) and Holstein (683.8 kg) than for Jersey (469.6 kg). Repeatability estimates for body weight as a weekly average was 0.83, 0.85, and 0.88 for Jersey, Red Dairy, and Holstein, respectively. The perspectives in having such records available is huge both for the farmer and for the dairy industry. The records can both be used for improving management in farms on an individual cow level and herd level, but also for genetic evaluation and selection as well as testing feeding regimens. Feed intake can be measured on an individual level using a 3D camera system.

Comparative analysis of carcass traits and meat quality in indigenous Chinese cattle breeds

This study aimed to investigate the carcass traits and meat quality of typical Chinese indigenous cattle breeds, and to compare the difference in beef composition between breeds. We measured 5 carcass traits and 61 meat quality indicators in each striploin and outside flat cuts. The results showed that northern Chinese breeds had superior beef production performance in terms of slaughter weight, carcass weight and lean meat weight compared to southern breeds. The improved breeds for meat specialized had significantly higher slaughter weights than local breeds (P < 0.01). With respect to edibility, Pingliang red cattle demonstrated superior tenderness with lower shear force. Xinjiang brown cattle and Jiaxian red cattle exhibited lower cooking and water loss rates. The improved breeds had higher fat content, while majority of the local breeds showed higher crude protein content.The comparison results of targeted metabolites indicated that local breeds had more flavor amino acids than improved breeds. Additionally, the composition of amino acids and fatty acids varied among breeds, and Chinese cattle exhibited a healthier composition compared to foreign breeds.This study clarifies the carcass characteristics and meat quality in Chinese cattle breeds, promoting the development of the beef cattle industry towards high efficiency and high quality.

Improvement of the Red Steppe cattle by the Holstein breed gene pool

The results of the comparative assessment of productivity, reproductive ability and profitability of milk production when using cows of the Red Steppe breed and the crossbreeds of different blood relationship by the Holstein breed of the Red-and-White color type are presented. The studies of economically useful traits and profitability were conducted in 2019-2022. The objects of the research were representatives of the Red Steppe breed (control), mixtures with 50% (1st experimental group) and 75% of the blood of the Holstein Red-and-White color type (2nd experimental group). The superiority of the crossbred heifers over their herd mates of the Red Steppe breed in terms of milk yield was established: for the 1st lactation it was 605-673 kg (p &gt; 0.999), for the 2nd lactation it was 714-788 kg (p &gt; 0.999), for the 3rd lactation it was 817-868 kg (p &gt; 0.999). The highest coefficient of the milk yield was observed in Holstein F1 and F2 crossbreeds (9.4-9.7 kg), whose average advantage during all lactations ranged from 0.9-1.2 kg (p &gt; 0.95-0.99). In all analyzed service-periods, the highest fertilization rate after the first insemination was demonstrated by the Red Steppe breed animals; as a result, their semen consumption was on average 0.2-0.5 doses lower than that of the Holstein crossbreeds of different blood relationship. Cows of the Red Steppe breed had the highest reproductive ability coefficient 0.98-1.01 units vs. 0.85-0.95 units for crossbred cows. The analysis of the feed efficiency shows lower costs per unit production by cows of the first and second generations, in which they were 0.95-0.98 EFU, which is lower than in the Red Steppe breed peers, by 1.11-1.12 EFU. Milk production by half-blooded crossbreeds was more profitable 30.8-32.9% with no significant differences between the Red Steppe and high-blooded Holstein individuals.

Haplotype Disequilibrium in the TLR Genes of Czech Red Pied Cattle

Hybrid resequencing of the antibacterial innate immune genes coding for toll-like receptors, namely TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR6, using HiSeq and PacBio technologies of pooled population samples of Czech Simmental (Czech Red) cattle allowed us to determine haplotypes formed by the polymorphisms present. Directly determined haplotypes within the range of the large proximal amplicon in TLR2 formed two clusters in the network tree graph. The distribution of the statistically reconstructed haplotypes based on individual genotyping of the present SNPs was consistent. Similarly, the statistically reconstructed haplotypes in TLR5 and TLR6 formed two clusters. The trend of bimodal distribution was also observed in TLR4, while the limited diversity of TLR1 did not allow for any conclusion. The observed bimodal distribution is consistent with earlier reports for cattle populations worldwide. The stability of this phenomenon cannot be ascribed to historical origin but rather to a long-term effect of balancing selection. The equilibrium might be based on two different essential functions performed by the TLR genes or their products. The formation of two kinds of heterodimers by the TLR2 product, namely, TLR2/TLR1 and TLR2/TLR6 with different ligand specificities, is considered to be a particular case. On the other hand, the better expression of the bimodal groups in the 5′-proximal SNPs supports the localization of the selection targets in the upstream regulatory regions or the functional interactions in the proximal part of the transcripts.

Program Kedaulatan Pangan di Indonesia : Studi terhadap Indonesia-Australia Partnership on Food Security in the Red Meat and Cattle Sector

Food security is a multidimensional and complex issue, as well as a vital primary need for society. In this regard, food security has a close relationship with productivity. Foodstuffs included in food security are not only limited to vegetable food ingredients such as rice, corn and potatoes or other tubers but also include side dishes or animal food ingredients, for example, beef. Indonesia often cannot meet the demand for beef due to the limited national supply of beef. This situation is the cause for Indonesia needing beef supply assistance from other countries to be able to stabilize the condition of the pagan demand for beef for Indonesian citizens which is increasing in line with increasing population and also increasing food needs in the beef sector. As an effort to offset the increasing demand for beef, Indonesia and Australia agreed to form a partnership in a related sector called the "Indonesia-Australia Partnership for Food Security in the Red Meat and Cattle Sector" or the "Indonesia-Australia Partnership on Food Security in The Red Meat and Cattle Sector", which was later referred to as "Partnership". This study aims to see the success of this partnership in realizing food security using the concept of international cooperation.

Overview of SNPs Associated with Trans Fat Content in Cow’s Milk

Lipids consumed with milk derivatives are one of the main parts of the human diet. Trans fatty acids in milk are causing a debate about their impact on the incidence of cardiovascular disease, pathological abnormalities, and cancer. The fatty acid profile of milk is influenced by a large number of different factors, one of which is genetic. The development of genetic studies, including Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), may help define genomic regions associated with fatty acid content in milk, including trans fatty acids. This article provides an overview of international studies on the identification of genomic regions and SNPs associated with the trans fatty acids in cow’s milk. The results are based on research of cattle such as Norwegian Red cattle, Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss. The presented review shows that 68 SNPs were localized on chromosomes 1, 2, 4–6, 8–10, 12, 14–20, 22–25, and 27–29. Further research in this direction will provide new information that will serve as an impetus for the creation of modern breeding technologies and increase the performance of the manufacture of high-quality dairy products. The search for genetic markers associated with the content of TFA in milk is a promising direction in agricultural science and will allow more complete breeding work with cattle.

Assessing Genomic Diversity and Signatures of Selection in Chinese Red Steppe Cattle Using High-Density SNP Array.

Chinese Red Steppe Cattle (CRS), a composite cattle breed, is well known for its milk production, high slaughter rate, carcass traits, and meat quality. Nowadays, it is widely bred in Jilin and Hebei Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous region. However, the population structure and the genetic basis of prominent characteristics of CRS are still unknown. In this study, we systematically describe their population structure, genetic diversity, and selection signature based on genotyping data from 61 CRS individuals with GGP Bovine 100 K chip. The results showed that CRS cattle had low inbreeding levels and had formed a unique genetic structure feature. Using two complementary methods (including comprehensive haplotype score and complex likelihood ratio), we identified 1291 and 1285 potentially selected genes, respectively. There were 141 genes annotated in common 106 overlapping genomic regions covered 5.62 Mb, including PLAG1, PRKG2, DGAT1, PARP10, TONSL, ADCK5, and BMP3, most of which were enriched in pathways related to muscle growth and differentiation, milk production, and lipid metabolism. This study will contribute to understanding the genetic mechanism behind artificial selection and give an extensive reference for subsequent breeding.

MYH3-associated non-syndromic palatoschisis (cleft palate,CP) in Limousine cattle.

MYH3-associated non-syndromic palatoschisis (cleft palate,CP) in Limousine cattle.

A randomized study on the effect of extended voluntary waiting period in primiparous dairy cows on milk yield during first and second lactation

Extending the voluntary waiting period (VWP) for primiparous cows can have a positive impact on fertility without a negative impact on milk production per day in the calving interval (CInt). We investigated the effect of extended VWP during first lactation on milk yield (MY) during 2 consecutive lactations in primiparous cows. The study involved 16 commercial herds in southern Sweden. A total of 533 Holstein and Red dairy cattle (Swedish Red, Danish Red, Ayrshire) dairy cows were randomly assigned to a conventional 25 to 95 d VWP (n = 252) or extended 145 to 215 d VWP (n = 281). Data on calvings, inseminations, and test-day yields were retrieved from the Swedish Milk Recording System. Cows with VWP according to plan and completing 1 or 2 CInt with a second or third calving were included in the data analysis. Whole lactation and 305-d energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield were higher for the extended VWP group than the conventional VWP group in both the first lactation (12,307 vs. 9,587 and 9,653 vs. 9,127 kg ECM) and second lactation (12,817 vs. 11,986 and 11,957 vs. 11,304 kg ECM). We found no difference between the VWP groups in MY per day during the first CInt or during the first and second CInt combined, although MY per day during the second CInt was around 1.5 kg higher for cows with extended VWP than for cows with conventional VWP. Thus extended VWP for primiparous cows can be used as a management tool without compromising MY.

Changes in genomic inbreeding and diversity over half a century in Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein dairy cattle.

Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH) are the dominating commercial dairy cattle breeds in Sweden. Both breeds have undergone substantial changes during the last half century due to intensive selection for breeding goal traits, but also resulting from increased international exchange of breeding animals and genetic drift. The aim of this study was to learn more about changes in genomic diversity and inbreeding in these two breeds over time. Therefore, semen samples from old bulls were genotyped using the 150K Genomic Profiler SNP array and combined with 50K SNP array genotype data, obtained for more recent bulls from the Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation. Different measures of level of homozygosity, genomic inbreeding, relatedness and changes in allele frequency were estimated for bulls born during different time periods from the 1950s until 2020. In total, more than 33,000 SNPs for 9737 SR and 5041 SH bulls were included in the analysis using PLINK v1.9. The results showed higher average homozygosity for SR than for SH bulls up to around 2000, but the difference was very small after that. The average inbreeding coefficients based on deviation from expected homozygosity as well as on runs of homozygosity decreased until the early 1980s in both breeds, whereafter they started to increase again for SH, but stayed more stable for SR. From the 1990s onwards, SH displayed higher average inbreeding coefficients than SR. In the last studied birth year group (2015-2020), the mean inbreeding coefficient based on runs of homozygosity was 5.9% for SH and 3.7% for SR. A principal component analysis showed a pattern of genetic relationships related to the birth year period of the bulls, illustrating the gradual change of the genetic material within each breed. The change in allele frequency over time was generally larger for SH than for SR. The results show that the inbreeding level was higher half a century ago than at present, and the inbreeding levels were lower than in some other studied populations. Still, the increase seen for inbreeding coefficients and homozygosity, especially in SH during recent years, should be considered in future breeding strategies.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Longissimus Dorsi Transcriptome and Metabolome Reveals the Regulatory Mechanism of Different Varieties of Meat Quality.

The beef quality significantly varies between breeds. Pingliang Red Cattle resembles Wagyu in fat deposition and flavor. To screen key factors affecting beef quality, we performed meat quality trait testing, RNA-seq, and metabolomics on the longissimus dorsi of Pingliang Red Cattle, Wagyu cross F1 generation, and Simmental cattle. The gene and metabolite expression profiles were similar between Pingliang Red Cattle and Wagyu cross F1 generation. Genes such as FASN, ACACA, PLIN1, and FABP4 were significantly upregulated in the Pingliang Red Cattle and Wagyu cross F1 generation (P < 0.05). Similarly, numerous metabolites, such as 3-iodo-l-tyrosine, arachidonic acid, and cis-aconitate, which may improve the beef quality such as fat deposition and tenderness, were found in higher levels in the Pingliang Red Cattle and Wagyu cross F1 generation. This study revealed differences in the transcriptional and metabolic levels between Pingliang Red Cattle and premium beef breeds, suggesting that Pingliang Red Cattle harbors the genetic potential for breeding high-grade beef cattle.

РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО СКРЕЩИВАНИЯ КРАСНОГО СТЕПНОГО СКОТА С ЧИСТОПОРОДНЫМИ БЫКАМИ ГЕРЕФОРДСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ ПРИ РАЗНЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЯХ ПРОИЗВОДСТВА ГОВЯДИНЫ

The purpose of the research was to establish the effectiveness of breeding crossbreed bulls of the 1st generation, obtained by industrial crossing of Hereford bulls with red steppe cattle, in a comparative aspect with their red peers with different beef production technologies adopted in cattle breeding. The first control group included calves of the red steppe breed (n = 10), the second – first-generation crossbreeds from the crossing of red steppe cattle with Hereford bulls (n = 10), raised according to the dairy cattle breeding technology adopted on the farm. The first experimental group of calves was formed from animals of the red steppe breed (n = 10), the second – F1 crossbreeds (red steppe × Hereford) (n = 10). It was found that the bulls of the experimental groups by the age of 18 months had reached a live weight exceeding the values of the control groups by 59,1–73,8 kg (P &gt; 0,999). The experimental groups of bull calves outperformed their control peers by an average of 114–135 g (P &gt; 0,999) in terms of average daily live weight gains over the entire study period. With the same feed costs per unit of live weight gain, the largest gross increase was typical for individuals of the experimental groups. According to the main indicators of the control slaughter, the superiority was on the side of steers raised according to the beef production technology adopted in beef cattle breeding. With both cultivation technologies, the highest yield of carcass and fat was obtained from Hereford × red steppe bulls, which provided a greater slaughter yield (by 2,8–3,0 %) in comparison with peers of the red steppe breed.

MED4 gene positively affects preadipocyte differentiation in Chinese red steppe cattle

MED4 gene positively affects preadipocyte differentiation in Chinese red steppe cattle

Pelatihan Pengelolaan Website Desa

Panggungrejo is a village in the Sukoharjo District, Pringsewu Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia. This village has an area of 450 hectares. The majority of the livelihoods of Pekon Panggung Rejo residents are farmers, chicken breeders, red cattle breeders and traders. Apart from that, there are also residents who work as civil servants, the TNI and masons, other residents work as laborers managing oil palm and rubber. Panggung Rejo Village has the potential to become a tourist village because of its natural beauty. Based on interviews conducted with the head of Pekon Panggung Rejo, it was found that the problem being faced by partners was that the village website operator changed assignments and domiciles, so that the management of the village website stopped, because there were no village officials who could operate the website. Therefore, the PKM team from the Indonesian Technocrat University provided training on creating and managing Village websites, including Facebook and IG, as well as training on basic computer knowledge such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel for Village officials, so as to make it easier for the community to find information and services. Village. The expected outputs from this PKM activity are scientific articles published in community service journals, and news published in newspapers. The activity was carried out for 6 months, starting in early July and ending in December 2021.

Current Scenario of Cattle Breeding Practices in Netrokona District

The present study was conducted to evaluate the cattle genotype and their distribution pattern, socio-economic status of the farmers, existing cattle breeding strategies and their facilities to understand the cattle breeding scenario in Netrokona district, Bangladesh. A total of 80 farmers (8 farmers from each upazilla) were surveyed from 10 Upazillas in Netrokona district. Each farmer’s gender, age, educational level, family size, income, number of family members involved in cattle rearing, cattle genotypes and breeding practices of the cattle were assessed in-depth. The results of the survey study revealed that 85% farmers were males and 15% farmers were female in the respective area. The majority of farmers (55.84%) had a medium size farm having 4-6 number of cattle per family. Within the surveyed region 83.12% farmers practiced artificial insemination (AI) for cattle breeding, whereas 16.88% still practiced natural mating by using their own bulls. In the study areas, the majority of farmers (75%) considered AI to be simpler than natural mating. While choosing bull for breeding services, Holstein-Friesian cross (31.18%) was first priority for the farmers followed by Sahiwal cross (20.35%), local (18.21%), Red Chittagong cattle (11.69%), Brahman (8.22%), Red Sindhi (5.19%) and Jersey (4.76%) respectively. In conclusion, this study on the current scenario of cattle breeding practices in Netrokona district provides valuable insights on major constrains and prospects of cattle breeding scenario in Netrokona district that can inform targeted interventions and policies, fostering sustainable and improved outcomes for the improvement of cattle breeding strategy for the local farmers. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 29 (1&amp;2), 2022: P. 53-61