animal production - CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University ...

ANIMAL PRODUCTION
DAIRY CATTLE PRODUCTION
In Himachal Pradesh, the total livestock population is almost matching to the human population out of which 2.17
and 0.616 million are cattle and buffaloes, respectively and the total milk production is 0.50 million tonnes against national
figure of 60.0 million tonnes. The average milk yield in the State is 1.502 lit. and 3.008 lit. in respect of cows and buffaloes,
respectively.
Improved dairy cattle
The local cows are predominantly non-descript and chronically low yielders. There is no specific breed of hill
cattle in Himachal Pradesh and the whole stock is highly variable under different agro-climatic zones. In order to improve
the milk production potential of the local cattle, intensive cross-breeding programme has been launched since 1950’s by
using high merit Jersey and Holstein Friesian semen/bulls. There are approx. 4.0 lac cross-bred cows in the State against
the national figure of about 9.0 million.
The comparative performance between hilly cow and Jersey crossbred cow is given below :-
Sr. Particulars Hilly Jersey crossbred
No. cow cows
1. Birth body weight (kg) 12-13 15-17
2. Age at first service(months) 38-45 20-30
3. Age at first calving (months) 47-57 29-39
4. Gestation period (days) 250 280
5. Lactation period (days) 200-400 250-300
6. Intercalving interval(days) 400-700 330-430
7. Dry period (days) 200-500 120-150
8. Average lactation yield(L) 150-350 1200-1400
9. Peak yield (L) 0.75-2.0 4.00-6.00
10. Fat (%) 3.00-3.75 4.00-5.00
Characteristics of Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds of cattle that are recommended for cross-breeding purpose
in Himachal Pradesh, are given below :
Character Jersey Holstein Friesian
Country of origin Island of Jersey in Holland
the English channel
Desirable colour Fawn with or without Black and white
markings white markings
Av. body weight (kg)
female 450 675
male 675 1000
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