SELECTION OF DAIRY CATTLE & BUFFALOES

General selection procedures for dairy breeds  

Selection of dairy cows Selecting a calf in calf show, a cow in cattle show by judging is an art. A dairy farmershould build up his own herd by breeding his own herd. Following guidelines will be

useful for selection of a diary cow.

  whenever an animal is purchased from a cattle fair, it should be selected based

upon its breed characters and milk producing ability

  History sheet or pedigree sheet which are generally maintained in organized farms

reveals the complete history of animal

  The maximum yield by dairy cows are noticed during the first five lactations. So

generally selection should be carried out during First or Second lactation and thattoo are month after calving.

  Three successive complete milkings has to be done and an average of it will give

a fair idea regarding production by a particular animal

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

  It is better to purchase the animals during the months of October and November.

  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 yourstrength 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 farm  

Cows 

  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 10liter 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.

Buffaloes 

  In India, we have good buffalo breeds like Murrah and Mehsana, which aresuitable 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 makingtea, 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.

Selection of she-buffaloes for milk production

When you purchase buffaloes for milk production we have to select healthy animalknown for economic milk production. We have to take following steps in selecting a

dairy animal

Breed characters

  Body 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 following

  Poor 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