Selection of dairy animals

Dr. D.P.BHOITEProgramme Assistant ( Veterinary science )

KVK,Baramati

A-General appearance-20 Head, breed character

Ear, neck, eyes, tail

Legs, skin shining

healthy

B .Body capacity 30 marks

2.Chest girth

1.Body Length

3.legs

4.Abdomen

C-DAIRY CHARACTER-20

3.Neck

4.Angle at kneeJoint on back leg

Dairy character

1.Ribs

2.Skin

D.Mammary system-30

Udder attachment strong Milk vein big and udder spongy

Udder lengthteats

Ideal udder

Murrha Buffaloes

Selection of dairy cows

Selecting a calf in calf show, a cow in cattle show by judging is an art. A dairy farmer should build up his own herd by breeding his own herd.

Guidelines for selection of dairy cows• Dairy animal-1.Selected based upon its breed characters and

milk producing ability 2.History sheet or pedigree sheet 3.Maximum yield by dairy cows are noticed during

the first five lactations 4.Three successive complete milking has to be

done and an average of it will give a fair idea regarding production by a particular animal.

5. A cow should allow anybody to milk, and should be docile.

6. Maximum yield is noticed till 90 days after calving.

Breed characteristics of high yielding dairy cows

• Attractive individuality with feminity, vigour, harmonious blending of all parts, impressive style and carriage

• Animal should have wedge shaped appearance of the body

• It should have bright eyes with lean neck • The udder should be well attached to the

abdomen • The skin of the udder should have a good

network of blood vessels • All four quarters of the udder should be well

demarcated with well placed teats.

Selecting breeds for Commercial Dairy Farm - Suggestions

• Under Indian condition a commercial dairy farm should consist of minimum 20 animals (10 cows, 10 buffaloes) this strength can easily go up to 100 animals in proportion of 50:50 or 40:60. After this however, you need to review your strength and market potential before you chose to go for expansion.

• Middle class health-conscious Indian families prefer low fat milk for consumption as liquid milk. It is always better to go for a commercial farm of mixed type. (Cross breed, cows and buffaloes kept in separate rows under one shed).

• Conduct a through study of the immediate market where you are planning to market your milk You can mix milk from both type of animals and sold as per need of the market. Hotels and some general customers (can be around 30%) prefer pure buffalo milk. Hospitals, sanitariums prefer cow's milk.

Selection of cow/buffalo breeds for commercial farmCows•Good quality cows are available in the market and it cost around Rs.1200 to Rs.1500 per liter of milk production per day. (e.g. Cost of a cow producing 10 liter of Milk per day will be between Rs.12,000 to Rs.15,000). •If proper care is given, cows breed regularly giving one calf every 13-14 month interval. •They are more docile and can be handled easily. Good milk yielding cross breeds (Holstein and Jersey crosses) has well adapted to Indian climate. •The fat percentage of cow's milk varies from 3-5.5% and is lower then Buffaloes.

Selection of cow/buffalo breeds for commercial farmBuffaloesIn India, we have good buffalo breeds like Murrah and Mehsana, which are suitable for commercial dairy farm. Buffalo milk has more demand for making butter and butter oil(Ghee), as fat percentage in milk is higher then cow. Buffalo milk is also preferred for making tea, a welcoming drink in common Indian household. Buffaloes can be maintained on more fibrous crop residues, hence scope for reducing feed cost. Buffaloes largely mature late and give birth to calves at 16 to 18 months interval. Male calves fetch little value. Buffaloes need cooling facility e.g. wallowing tank or showers / foggers with fan.

Take following steps in selecting a dairy animal

Breed charactersBody confirmation Body weight Ancestors performance Reproduction capacity Health condition Age No. of lactations Past performance of the

animal Free of chronic disease Cleanliness of teeth Legs

and toes free of injuries

Good eye site Whether animal is dry or

lactating Date of delivery Month of pregnancy If non-pregnant, how many

times it came in to heat Animal should follow owners

instructions The udder should be in

good shape and easy to milk

The animal should not have the followingPoor growth Late maturity Not coming into heat Repeat breeder Long gap between two lactations Uncurable chronic diseases Retained placenta Low milk production Unable to give milk without calf