Productive and Reproductive Performance of Farmers Managed Dairy Cattle in Western Chitwan, Nepal

Abstract

The productive and reproductive performances of dairy cattle along with the management aspects of the farm have a direct effect on farm profitability. The present study was carried out from a sample of 120 dairy herds using pretested and well-organized semi- structured questionnaire in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan. Productive and reproductive performances of two common breeds, Jersey Cross and Holstein Cross were analyzed. The average daily milk yield, lactation length, lactation milk yield, peak yield and dry period for Jersey Cross and Holstein Cross with the Nepalese hill cattle were observed to be 7.39±0.87 and 9.30±0.76 L./day; 303.31±8.12 and 314.18±12.75 days; 2253.39±265.28 and 2936.36±237.55 L.; 12.77±0.92 and 15.11±0.85 L. and 65.26±7.71 and 70.83±10.27 days respectively. The age at first calving (29.08±1.99 and 30.42±1.81 months), Service period (82.37±10.99 and 100.64±13.44 days), Service per conception (1.71±0.54 and 1.82±0.58 times/cow) and Calving interval (365.37±10.92 and 385.56±13.46 days) respectively for Jersey crosses and Holesteinc crosses. The significant relationship (p<0.05) was found between farms having single breeds and double breeds on the productive performances. Likewise, the significant relationship (p<0.05) was also found between farms having single and double breeds on reproductive performances. The significant relationship (p<0.05) was observed between the herd size and age at first calving on jersey cross and none of the parameters showed significant relationship (p>0.05) between the herd size and productive parameters. Further research on needs to be carried out see the particular relationships among production, reproduction and management aspects.