Performance Evaluation, Genetic Parameter and Genetic Trend Estimation of Production and Reproduction Traits of Sahiwal Cattle in Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Background: Performance evaluation is necessary for formulation of suitable breeding plans for genetic improvement in a population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the production, reproduction performances and estimate the genetic parameter and genetic trend on 649 lactation records of 238 Sahiwal cows at an organized farm in Chhattisgarh. Methods: The analysis was performed by using fixed model in LSML. Genetic trend for traits was estimated through linear regression of breeding values over the years.Result: Least-squares means for total lactation milk yield (TLMY), 305day or less milk yield (305DMY), lactation length (LL), dry period (DP) and peak yield (PY) were 1385.1±26.7 kg, 1331.4±23.6 kg, 291.0±3.7 days, 214.8±6.0 days, 7.5±0.1 kg, while for reproduction traits; age at first calving (AFC), service period (SP) and calving interval (CI), the means were 1522.8±19.1 days, 212.4±5.9 days and 498.3±6.0 days, respectively. All the traits were significantly influenced by period of calving/birth whereas season had significant effect only on PY. The highest heritability (0.29 ± 0.05) was estimated for 305DMY and lowest (0.11 ± 0.07) for SP in Sahiwal cows. Very high and positive genetic correlations was found among production traits. The first lactation 305DMY showed positive genetic trend, while LL, DP, SP and CI showed a negative genetic trend.