The research was conducted to evaluate the effect of non -genetic factors on production traits in

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of non-genetic factors on milk production of Holstein Friesian × Deoni crossbred cows. Data representing 256 HF × Deoni crossbred cows from cattle crossbreeding project with 1485 total records of lactation over a 30 years period were analyzed to determine the effects of period of calving, season of calving, age at first calving and parity on milk production. The overall least squares mean of lactation milk yield, 305 days milk yield, lactation length, and milk yield per day of lactation length were 1661.35±15.17, 1707.25±13.25, 296.80±2.29 and 5.65±0.04 kg, respectively. All sources of variation were significant except season of calving for 305 days milk yield and lactation length; age at first calving for 305 days milk yield and milk yield per day of lactation length. Milk production was depressed for cows calving in summer. First lactation cows had lowest milk production, and highest production occurred in 5 th parity. It was therefore, concluded that, HF × Deoni crossbred cows were affected by non-genetic factors.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of different macro climatic variables on milk production and reproduction efficiency of Holstein Friesian × Deoni crossbred cows. Data of 256 HF × Deoni crossbred cows with 1485 total records of lactation and the meteorological data over a 30-year period (1981 to 2010) were obtained from Marathwada Agricultural University Cattle Cross Breeding Project and the University Meteorological Observatory Weather Station, respectively. The parameters used as indicators of milk production and reproduction performance in this study were lactation milk yield, lactation length, dry period and inter calving period. They were plotted against the monthly climatic variable for regression analysis. It was observed that maximum temperature, maximum humidity, bright sunshine hours and maximum temperature humidity index exhibited negative and significant regression result with lactation milk yield and lactation length. All the considered climatic variables accounted for 28 and 21% direct variation on lactation milk yield and lactation length as verified by the value of coefficients of determination (R 2 ). In contrast, maximum temperature, maximum humidity, wind speed and maximum temperature humidity index showed positive and significant regression on dry period and inter calving period. All the considered climatic variables accounted for 25 and 23% direct variation on dry period and inter calving period, respectively. The summary of the meteorological data confirmed that there were high values of temperature humidity index for considerable months yearly, which suggested that most crossbred cows were exposed to the negative effects of heat stress. Hence, other productive and reproductive strategies like improving environmental, productive and reproductive management of cows are needed to reduce the adverse effect of heat stress.

Red Kandhari and Deoni are the important cattle breeds of Marathwada region. Red Kandhari cattle in pure form and its crosses with Deoni cattle and non descriptive cattle are seen sporadically in all the seven districts of Marathwada region. So the present investigation was undertaken to study the adoption of cattle rearing practices by Red Kandhari cattle owners in Nanded district. It was observed from research that, maximum score was obtained for adoption of regional cattle breeds. The results regarding adoption of feeding practices for Red Kandhari cattle revealed that maximum score was given to use of gruel mixture after parturition and higher score 126 possessed by the practice i.e. feeding of colostrum to newly born calf. The category wise adoption index revealed that breeding practices (76.56) got first position followed by feeding practices (63.66) for Red Kandhari cattle. Lack of green fodder throughout the year and high price of concentrate (96.25%) were the major constraints faced by Red Kandhari cattle owners.

The productive performance of Red Kandhari cattle were studied at different locations in the breeding tract. The idea behind the collection of data in breeding tract of Red Kandhari cattle from the farmers and breeders herd of Red Kandhari rather than on the organized farm to obtain the real picture of productive performance of breed in the breeding tract. The productive traits often help in judging the economic value of the animal. The overall least square means for lactation milk yield (LMY) of Red Kandhari cattle was recorded as 417.28 + 1.09 kg. The effect of block and season were found significant to highly significant on LMY whereas, the effect of colour was found non-significant. The overall least square means for peak milk yield (PMY) of Red Kandhari cattle was recorded as 2.63 + 0.01 kg. The effect of block, colour and season were found non-significant on PMY. The overall least square means for days to reach peak milk yield (DRPMY) of Red Kandhari cattle was recorded as 39.48 + 0.09 days. The effect of block, colour and season were found non-significant on DRPMY. The overall least square means for lactation period (LP) of Red Kandhari cattle was recorded as 242.64 + 0.46 days. The effect of block was found highly significant on LP whereas, the effect of colour and season were found non-significant. The overall least square means for dry period (DP) of Red Kandhari cattle was recorded as 180.79 + 0.56 days. The effect of block and colour were found non-significant on DP whereas, the effect of season was found significant. The improvement in productive characteristics of indigenous breeds has become essential to make the economically viable dairy animals.