Analysis Of Season And Parity’s Effect On Milk Yield Of Crossbred Dairy Cows At Thamirabarani Command Area

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the effect of milk yield due to season parity and stage of lactation in crossbred dairy cows of Thamirabarani command area. Fifty lactating cows belonging to dairy farmers were included in the study and the data were recorded. The study had an average milk yield of 6.16 ± 2.64 Kg per day, milk yield of 1650.74±220.51 Kg per lactation. The values for milk yield among seasons were 2156.35±271.65 and 1540.25±192.35kg for winter and summer, respectively. The parity wise yield were 1878.80±350.95, 1976.40±430.25, 2318.00±192.35, 2016.05±241.15 during first to fourth respectively. Least squares mixed models included calving season (2 classes: Summer (Mar-May), winter (Dec- Feb)), parity number (4 classes: 1, 2, 3 and ≥4) and stage of lactation (3 Classes: early, mid and late). Significant difference in milk yield was noticed due to the effect of season and stage of lactation. Milk yield per lactation and milk yield per day increased from first to third and decreased in fourth. However, first, second, third and fourth parity dams did not differ in milk yield. Cows that calved in the cold season had greater (p less than 0.05) milk yield per day than cows that calved in the summer seasons.