Better management practices and congenial Environment play an important role in ensuring better fertility among crossbred cattle in the state, according to a study by researchers ofKeralaVeterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU).
The study is based on data collected from 1,180 crossbred cattle sired by 208 Frieswal bulls, spread over a period of 16 years from 2003 to 2019. The cattle have been maintained at different farms of the university. A team of genetic scientists from the Centre For Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics andBreeding,KVASU-Thrissur, found that there is no co-relation between high milk yielding cows and fertility.
Cross breeding of local non-descriptive cattle with exotic breeds mainly Holstein Friesian (exotic inheritance limited to 5062.5%) was undertaken in the state since 1960 for improving milk production potential and early sexual maturity, thus increases the profitability of farming in Kerala. Despite considerable increase in the proportion of high yielding crossbred cattle, the Average productivity of each animal remains low. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the overall performance of crossbred cattle of Kerala. The study found that fertility traits were significantly influenced by season and period of calving only, while production traits were significantly influenced by season, period of calving and different centres.