Present investigation comprehends the study of the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors and estimation of genetic parameters of Karan Fries cattle with respect to production and reproduction traits across all lactations. Data consisted of a total of 5878 lactation records on 1988 cows over a period of 32 years (1981 to 2012), maintained at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. Overall least-squares means for CFS(days), SP(days), LL(days), CI(days), 305MY(kg), TMY(kg), MY/LL(kg/days), MY/CI(kg/days) and DPR were found to be 78.21±1.59, 115.46±2.14, 326.57±2.60, 403.91±2.54, 3634.78 ± 30.91, 3976.77 ± 41.03, 12.19 ± 0.08, 10.28 ± 0.08 and 0.37 ± 0.80, respectively. Both production and fertility traits were significantly affected by different factors viz. season of calving, period of calving, parity and genetic group. LSANOVA heritability estimates of SP, CI, LL, CFS, DPR, 305MY, TMY, MY/LL, MY/CI were 0.18±0.08, 0.15±0.07, 0.11±0.05, 0.10±0.09, 0.07±0.07, 0.39±0.09, 0.26±0.07, 0.35±0.08 and 0.42±0.10, respectively. Heritability estimates indicated that fertility traits were less affected by additive gene action. Genetic correlation estimates indicated unfavourable positive correlation between fertility and production traits.

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Premature disposal of female calves before reaching milch herd and undesirable disposal of lactating cows are the major constraints in achieving larger herd size. During the early lactations, younger cows are supposed to give higher milk yield and undesirable disposal of early calvers, thereby, greatly hampers profitability of a dairy farm. Knowledge of the incidence of disposal along with reasons in various age groups and at various parities is essential to identify which age group or parity is more vulnerable for disposal. Moreover, knowledge of various genetic and non-genetic factors associated with disposal of animals may also be helpful in developing breeding and management strategies to reduce the incidence of disposal. In most of the studies, it was found that major reasons of disposal of dairy cattle were mortality among female calves and involuntary culling among adult lactating cows. Maximum mortality in female calves was observed during earlier ages and pneumonia, gastro-enteritis and debility were major reasons of female calf mortality. Whereas, most of the adult cows left the herd, due to teat and udder and reproductive problems. Moreover, indigenous breeds were found to be more adapted to Indian tropical climatic conditions in comparison to crossbred and exotic cattle breeds.

Selection for genetically superior Murrah buffaloes under Network Project on Buffalo Improvement, India, is presently based on milk yield, and it was observed that even in the absence of any direct selection pressure applied on fertility, there has been a downward trend in fertility associated with the selection for milk yield. The aim of the study was to develop selection indices which include fertility besides milk yield in Murrah buffaloes. Data pertaining to 1,224 lactation records spread over a period of 19 years were recorded and analyzed in the study. The negative association of pregnancy rate (fertility) with a 305-day milk yield (-0.08 ± 0.04) and wet average (-0.12 ± 0.02) indicated the importance of incorporating fertility trait in the construction of selection index. Four types of selection indices were constructed and evaluated. Two indices were developed using expected producing ability 305-days milk yield (EPAMY) with 6.5 and 4% fat in milk along with expected fertilizing ability (EFA). The other two indices developed consist of expected producing ability wet average (EPA WA) and EFA. The index involving (EPA WA and EFA) was found to be a more effective selection criterion in our herd, as the accuracy of index was more (0.61), in comparison to the index involving EPA MY and EFA. The robustness of selection index was assessed by increasing the relative economic values of included traits by 25 and 50%, and accuracy of the index remains almost stable without much change. The developed selection strategy involving EPA WA and EFA should be considered for the genetic evaluation of Murrah buffaloes, as it has a potential for maximizing the lifetime reproduction and production performances of the breed.

Livestock farming is the most proficient occupation in India and women play a very significant role in livestock farming practices in the country. A study was conducted on 160 women dairy farmers of 4 border districts namely Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Taran-Taran and Ferozepur of Punjab to ascertain their knowledge level about various practices related to dairy farming. A pretested structured questionnaire comprising questions on management, nutrition, breeding, health etc. was developed and same was filled during the personal interview with women farmers. Data so collected was analyzed descriptively to draw inference. The data revealed that majority (68.75%) of women has medium knowledge level on various recommended dairy farming practices, 13.75 has low and only 17.5% has high (17.50%) knowledge level. Further this knowledge was significantly (P<0.01) correlated with the number of labor employed, milk production, herd size, and education level. Study concluded that there is an emerged need to educate women on scientific dairy farming practices.