The effects of genetic and non genetic factors on performance traits (Daily Milk Yield, 305 Days Milk Yield, Total Milk Yield and Lactation Length) of primiparous Kankrej cows was studied. The least square means of daily milk yield, 305 days milk yield, total milk yield and lactation length were calculated and found 6.71±0.14, 1893.42±60.00, 1983.29±72.47 kg and 290.78±7.33 days, respectively. The season and period of calving did not affect these traits, while effects of sire was significant (*P<0.05) on 305 DMY, but it did not have any effect on the traits such as DMY, TMY and LL of primiparous Kankrej cow. On the basis of these observations, we can suggest that proper management practices as well as use of better sire will help to improve the production performance of the herd.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding herbal galactogogue preparation (Sanjivani biokseera) on the milk yield and milk constituents in lactating Kankrej cows. Thirty-two lactating Kankrej cows in their 1st to 6th lactation were taken for the experiment from 3 days after calving up to 52 days postpartum. All the animals were fed as per the standard seasonally available roughages and concentrates to meet their nutritional requirements. The cows were randomly divided into two uniform groups of 16 cows in each according to initial milk yield and milk composition. The animals in group-I were not given any supplement and served as control. The animals in group-II were given Sanjivani biokseera (Naturewell Industries) @ 60 g per day for 1-month, commencing 3 days after calving, in addition to the usual feeds/fodders. A clear difference was observed in milk yield from day 8 onward of experiment between groups with significant (plessthan0 0.05) higher values from day 16-52 in cows fed herbal galactogogue as compared to control, but no such distinct effect on milk constituents was observed on day 52 when analyzed. The use of herbal galactogogue significantly (p lessthan 0.05) increased the overall average of 52 days milk production, which was 9.34 ± 0.21 lit/day in supplemented as compared to 7.75 ± 0.26 lit/day in control animals. It was concluded that herbal galactogogue (Sanjivani biokseera) could increase milk yield in lactating dairy cows through its galactopoetic property and improved rumen environment.

A study was conducted to assess production performance, feed efficiency and their correlation in lactating Kankrej cows at organized farm. The variables such as average dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition and feed efficiency were evaluated in 49 lactating Kankrej cows over a period of 30 days. The mean dry matter intake was 9.71±0.08 kg/d. The average milk yield and energy corrected milk were 12.45±0.35 kg/d and 14.27±0.47 kg/d, respectively. Feed efficiency was 1.48±0.05 in Kankrej cows, and it was significantly affected by average milk yield and energy corrected milk. The average milk yield and energy corrected milk were highly correlated with feed efficiency. Pearson’s square correlation coefficient was 0.96 between feed efficiency and energy corrected milk.

The research work was carried out on Kankrej cattle

The present study was conducted at Livestock Research Station, to compare performance of Kankrej cattle at farm and field condition, and to suggest strategies for the overall improvement of this prestigious breed. The average lactation yield (lit.), standard lactation (lit.), fat percentage, age at first calving and calving interval in the farmers herd was 1669.96±12.24 (1523), 1751.23±12.94 (617), 4.13±0.03 (617), 1464.08±18.41 (260) and 549.93±8.61 (387), respectively during the initial phage of progeny testing program initiated by station and the performance of migratory herd was 2.64 litre (wet average). While, the average lactation yield (lit.), standard lactation (lit.), fat percentage, age at first calving and calving interval at station was 2682.27±126.71 (59), 2501.15±87.72 (59), 4.08±0.09 (49), 1218.42±35.27 (12) and 435.73±13.94 (36), respectively (Elite herd, Anonymous 2018). The lactation yield of daughters born under the progeny testing program was 2050.29±119.20 (104) litres. Looking to the performance gap between the herd maintained at station, field and pastoralist indicates wide scope for the genetic improvement in Kankrej breed by following strict breeding strategies which are discussed in this paper. Conclusively, intensive selective breeding with the use of artificial insemination technology at large scale and progeny testing with precise recording at small scale will solve the purpose in the non-migratory population while, supply of high genetic merit male calf or proven bull’s male calf to the Maldharis having migratory population.