The Pharma Innovation Journal 2018; 7(8): 198-200

ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.03 Influence of non-genetic factors on age at first calving TPI 2018; 7(8): 198-200 © 2018 TPI in breed at organized farm, Araji Line, www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 28-06-2018 Accepted: 30-07-2018

Ravi Ranjan Ravi Ranjan, Vikash kumar, Anuj Kumar Shukla and Sumit Gangwar M.Sc (AGB) Scholar Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Abstract SHUATS, , The present study was conducted on “Influrnce of non-genetic factors on Age at first calving in Gangatiri cattle breed at organized farm, Arajiline, Varanasi”. The data were collected from the history sheets of 40 Vikash kumar cow maintained in State Livestock Cum Agricultural Farm Arajiline, Varanasi, for the period from 2003 M.Sc (AGB) Scholar to 2010 to determine the effect of period of birth and season of birth on age at first calving. A significant Department of Animal effect of period of birth on age at first calving was observed. And non-significant effect of season of birth Husbandry & Dairying, on age at first calving. SHUATS, Allahabad, India Keywords: Gangatiri cow, period of birth, season of birth, age at first calving Anuj Kumar Shukla M.Sc (AGB) Scholar Department of Animal Introduction Husbandry & Dairying, Various indigenous breeds of cattle in country are the result of thousands of years of selection, SHUATS, Allahabad, India evolution and development from wild species in the process of domestication to the local agro climatic conditions. These breeds are now losing ground due to intense competition to other Sumit Gangwar M.Sc (LPM) Scholar breeds and risk of economic viability under the present system of management. Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, SHUATS, Allahabad, India

(Source: www.fao.org)

Fig 1: Exotic / crossbred and indigenous population during 1992-2012.

There are 33 well-defined breeds of cattle apart from several nondescript types and some [4] lesser-known breeds (Chand, 2011) . An average cow of improved breed produces on an average 1800 kg milk in a lactation, while a non-descript cow yield only 173 kg. This yield is very low as compared to the yield of Bos taurus in advanced countries where they yield many times more than the dairy animals of India. The main components of low productivity of cattle in India is more insemination per conception, low daily milk yield, short lactation

period, wider dry period, long calving interval and late age at first calving. The milk production of cattle is largely governed to a large extent by the genetic makeup. The value of milch animal is dependent not only upon quantity of milk she produces, but also the number of Correspondence days she remains in milk and dry. This performance is affected by certain physiological as well Ravi Ranjan as environmental factors. M.Sc (AGB) Scholar Department of Animal Milk production considered to be one of the most important traits in selection. There are many Husbandry & Dairying, factors that cause narration in milk production, which can be classified into two main factors SHUATS, Allahabad, India ~ 198 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal

i.e genetic and environmental. The first factor include all (2014) [5] in Gir cows. differences which are attributed to heredity, genetic In the study age at first calving was highest in period P3 constitution and the phenotypic expression of gene while the while it was lowest in period P2 and P1 respectively. The second comprises all other causes of variations between as least square mean value of age at first calving were lowest in well as within individuals and reveal the climatic effect and period P2 (2005-2006) and period P1 (2003-2004) manage mental practices given to the livestock. respectively may be due to better feeding and scientific More emphasis should be given to improve both the factors management during this time. When compared P1, P2, P3 and viz. genetic as well as non- genetic. The genetical P4. P1 with P2 and P3 with P4 does not differ significantly improvement can be brought by selecting and breeding of while P2 with P3 and P1 with P4 differ significantly. superior stock having superior germplasm (genes) and non- Nehra (2004) [10]; Singh (2012) [14] revealed the effect of genetical improvement can be obtained by providing the period of birth on age at first calving as non-significant, better climate as well as feed and health care. among the native breeds like , Sahiwal and Gangatiri is an indigenous cattle breed of India, known to be Tharparkar, Basu et al. (1979) [3] and Singh (1983) [15] and originated in the region along the banks of Ganga river in Sharma (1983) reported significant effect of period of birth on eastern and western parts of Bihar state. This is age at first calving. Similiar findings were also estimated in an important dual purpose breed of North India. The cows are Karan Fries crossbred cattle by Japheth et al. (2015) [7]. fairly good milk yielders. Gangatiri is also known as Eastern Hariana or Shahabadi. The breeding tract includes Bhojpur district of Bihar and Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur and Ballia districts of Uttar Pradesh. The animals of this breed are medium milk producers and possess good draft ability also. The color is complete white (Dhawar) or Grey (Sokan). The horns are medium sized and emerge from side of the poll behind and above eyes in outward and curving upwards and inwards ending with pointed tips. The forehead is prominent, straight and broad with shallow groove in the middle. Eyelids, muzzle, hooves and tail switch are

generally black in color. The average milk yield in a lactation is around 1050 Kg, varying from 900 to 1200 Kg with an Fig. 2. Period wise least square mean of age at first calving. average fat of 4.9 %, varying from 4.1 to 5.2 %. The present investigation, according to season of birth, the Statistical analysis overall age at first calving was 1603.16±15 days. The analysis The raw data were entered and sorted into MS Excel sheet of variance showed that the effect of season of birth were then transferred to the analytical Web Based Agricultural found non-significant on age at first calving. According to Statistics Software Package (WASP-2.0) for descriptive season the age at first calving in season S1(winter), result. S2(summer) and S3(rainy) were 1626.5±88.30, 1609.333 The fixed effects considered were year of birth and season of ±79.37 and 1573.667±85.79 respectively. Age at first calving birth. All data were entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets was lowest in season S3 (July-October) and highest in season and after deleting incomplete records, a total of 40+40 (period S1 (November-February). The least square mean value of age wise and season wise) records for AFC were used for at first calving were lowest in season S3 (rainy) which may be analyses. ascribed to better feeds available in this season. Comparision Birth year of 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008 and 2009- of S1 with S2, S2 with S3 and S3 with S1 does not differ 2010 and season winter, summer and rainy were taken for significantly. The results are similar to those reported by data analysis. Ulmek (1990) [16] and Dangar et al. (2014) [5] in Gir cows.

Results and discussion The present investigation, the overall age at first calving in Gangatiri breed was 1608.4±83 days. The result obtained showed that the age at first calving is relatively short in the animals of farms located in developed areas and under better herd management. The result supports the fact that improvement in feeding and management to certain extent can lower the age at first calving. The result was lower as compare to Red Sindhi (2154.6 ± 92.3) reported by Khatri [8] (2004) and was somewhat near to Rathi (1482.00 ± 314.07) reported by Kushwaha et al. (2008) [9]. Fig 3. Season wise least square mean of age at first calving. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of period of

birth were found significant on age at first calving. According Conclusion to period of birth, average age at first calving in four period The present investigation, the age of first calving in Gangatiri P1 (2003-2004), P2 (2005-2006), P3 (2007-2008) and P4 breed was 1608.4±83 days. According to period of birth, (2009-2010) were 1513.8±86.79, 1422.5±37.59, average age of first calving in four period P1 (2003-2004), P2 1757.6±83.19 and 1738.4±77.00 days respectively. (2005-2006), P3 (2007-2008) and P4 (2009-2010) were The results are somewhat similar to those reported by Ulmek 1513.8±86.79, 1422.5±37.59, 1757.6±83.19 and (1990) [16] and higher than those reported by Dangar et al. 1738.4±77.00 days respectively. The least square mean value ~ 199 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal

of age of first calving were lowest in period P2 (2005-2006) Animal Sciences. 2015; 85(6):628-633. and period P1 (2003-2004) respectively may be due to better 13. Sawant Pushkraj, Singh Basdev, Sawant Dhruvaraj, feeding and scientific management during this time. The Todkar Sachin, Jain Richa. Factors affecting weight and analysis of variance showed that the effect of period of birth age at first calving, first lactation milk yield in Gir cows. were found significant on age at first calving. According to Indian J Anim. Res. 2015; 50(5). season of birth the age at first calving in season S1 (winter), 14. Singh P. Sire evaluation in by DFREML S2 (summer) and S3 (rainy) were 1626.5±88.30, method. M.V.Sc. thesis, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, 2012. 1609.333±79.37 and 1573.667±85.79 respectively. Age at 15. Singh S, Sharma KNS. Time series and least-squares first calving was lowest in season S3 (July-October) and analysis of age at first calving: A comparative study. highest in season S1 (November-February). The least square Indian J Ani. Sci. 1983; 53(11):1172-1176. mean value of age at first calving were lowest in season S3 16. Ulmek BR. Genetic studies of production traits in Gir (rainy) which may be ascribed to better feeds available in cattle, Ph.D. Thesis, Gujarat Agril. Univ., Sardar these season. The analysis of variance showed that the effect Krushinagar, 1990. of season of birth were found non-significant on age at first calving. Since period of birth had significant influence on age at first calving which may be due to better feeding and managemrnt facilities during specific period of time hence, emphasis should be given to management and feeding practices.

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