Effect of management on reproductive performances of the Achai cattle in the Hindu Kush (Northern Pakistan)

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of management on the undocumented Achai cattle reproductive performance in transhumant farming systems (TFS) and in sedentary farming systems (SFS) in northwestern Pakistan. Data were collected from 172 households in TFS and 270 households in SFS to analyze the effect of farming systems, parity, and calving season on key reproductive traits. The results show that farming systems significantly affect pubertal age, while parity has no significant effect on any of the key traits. The calving season significantly affects the postpartum anoestrus interval in TFS only. More than 50% of the cows in both systems have postpartum anoestrus intervals and calving intervals within the recommended values for cows in tropical countries. Achai cows have high first-service conception rates (70% and 71% for TFS and SFS, respectively) and require a relatively small number of services per conception (1.53±0.06 and 1.48± 0.05 SE for TFS and SFS, respectively). This local breed thus warrants conservation under both farming systems.

Morphological characterization of Achai cattle in sedentary and transhumant systems in Pakistan

“…Farmers also graze their cows on stubble fields (Saleem et al, 2012). Farmers also graze their cows on stubble fields (Saleem et al, 2012).…”

“…The Achai grazes freely, is resistant to diseases and is better adapted to high altitude areas, and has a better efficiency index than all other cattle breeds of Pakistan, except Jersey crosses and Sahiwal (Kenyanjui and Sheikh-Ali, 2009). Achai cows also have a better reproductive performance than other cattle breeds in Pakistan (Saleem et al, 2012).…”

“…Phenotypic characterization of the indigenous livestock breeds is critical in breed improvement and conservation (Jing et al, 2010;Kugonza et al, 2011). The Achai is an as yet undocumented but well-adapted indigenous cattle breed of the Hindu Kush Mountains in northern Pakistan (Saleem et al, 2012). It is a dairy and light draught breed that can thrive under scarce fodder availability, and it can produce adequately under a hilly and sub-hilly subsistence production setup (Khan et al, 2008).…”

Prevalence and therapeutic measures of postpartum uterine diseases in achai cattle at livestock research & development station Surezai, Peshawar

“…13 Achai is yet undocumented but well-adapted cattle breed of the Hindu Kush Mountains of northern Pakistan. 14 Achai cows also have a better reproductive performance than other cattle breeds in Pakistan. 14 ii.…”

Effect of exogenous hormones on ovulation synchronization and conception rate of achai cattle

“…2 Achai cows also have a better reproductive performance than other cattle breeds in Pakistan. 3 The goal to develop a hormonal synchronization program that could overcome the problems and limitations associated with visual detection of estrus in dairy cattle was realized in 1995 with the publication of a hormonal synchronization protocol that combined GnRH and PGF2α to control ovarian physiology and is now commonly referred to as the OvSynch protocol. 4 The OvSynch protocol synchronizes follicular development, luteal regression and ovulation so artificial insemination can be conducted at a fixed-time without the need of estrus detection, commonly referred to timed artificial insemination (TAI).…”