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ThesisItem Open Access To study the effect of feeding Moringa oleifera leaves on performance of Pantja goats(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2021-09) Taye, Thomas; Sanjay KumarThe present study was conducted on Pantja goats, which were reared at the Sheep and Goat Production Unit at the Department of Livestock Production Management, G.B.P.U.A.T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, during the month of March 2021 to May 2021, on two separate age groups, namely 3 months and 6 months to study the effect of feeding Moringa oleifera leaves on body weight, haematological parameters and faecal egg count of internal parasitic load on Pantja goats. A total of 24 animals were selected, 12 from 3months age group and 12 animals from the 6 months age group each containing 6 control and 6 treatment animals. The dietary supplement included were as follows- T0- Control (for 3months age group), T1 - Containing 80% concentrate + 20% dried moringa leaves (for 3months age group), T2- Control (for 6 months age group), T3- Containing 60 % concentrate + 40 % dried moringa leaves (for 6 months age group). Ad libitum grazing and water was allowed for all the experimental animals during the period of 60 days. Body weight was recorded fortnightly. Blood samples were collected at 0 and 60th day for estimation of different haematological parameters. Faecal samples were collected at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 60th day for faecal egg count. The salient findings observed from the current experiment was that there was a significant (P0.05) difference in neutrophil, monocytes, lymphocytes and ESR. Moreover, the feed cost has reduced to a minimum with the inclusion of dried moringa leaves in the diet of the Pantja goats in both the age group. From the current experimental study it can be concluded that replacing dried moringa leaves with the concentrate feed @ 20 and 40% in both the age group of 3 and 6 months respectively may be advised to improve the body weight, haematological parameters and faecal egg count in Pantja goats.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of garlic and turmeric powder supplementation on performance of crossbred female calves(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-08) Mishra, Rajan; Singh, S.K.In the present study a feeding trial of 120 day was conducted to know the effect of garlic and turmeric powder supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical parameters, fecal characteristics and immuneoxidative stress status of crossbred female calves during winter and summer season. Total 24 female crossbred calves (between 4- 6 months age) were selected and divided into 4 groups viz., T1 Control, T2 Garlic powder, T3 Turmeric Powder, T4 Garlic + Turmeric Powder (50:50) supplementation @ 15 g/head/day and in all the treatments feeds was given. Results of the present study reveal that the calves in T2 group had significantly (P<0.05) higher total BW, ADG, body measurements and DMI followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group and FCE of the calves were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T3, T4 and lowest in control group. While during summer, it was recorded that calves in the T4 group had significantly (P<0.05) higher BW and ADG followed by T2, T3 and lowest in control group. HAW and BL of the calves were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 followed by T2, T3 and lowest in control group while, CG of the calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 followed by T4, T2 and lowest in control group. DMI was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 followed by T3, T2 and lowest in the control group while FCE of the calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4 followed by T2, T3 and lowest in control group. Digestibility of OM, CF and NFE were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 followed by T2, T4 and lowest in control group, and digestibility of CP was significantly (P<0.05) higher in control group followed by T3, T2 and lower in T4 group during winter season. While during summer season, digestibility of DM, OM and CF were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 and lower in the control group, digestibility of CP was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control and lower in the T2 group. Digestibility of EE and NFE were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 and lower in the control group. Hb, PCV, TLC, TEC and lymphocytes were significantly (P<0.05) higher and neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the supplemented groups as compared to the control during both seasons. Total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group, while glucose, BUN and AST were lower in the T2, GGT and ALT levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T3 group and creatinine level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T4 group followed by others during winter season. However during summer, total protein and albumin levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 and globulin levels was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3, glucose and BUN levels significantly lower in the T4, GGT and ALT levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T3, creatinine and AST levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T2 group. Total cholesterol level was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T4 group, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides levels were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T2 group while HDL level was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the T2 group followed by others during winter season. However during summer, total cholesterol, VLDL and triglycerides levels were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T3, LDL levels was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T4 group and HDL levels was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the T4 group. Fecal volume and pH were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 group, feces frequency was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 and T2 group and feces colour and frequency was normal in nature in all supplemented groups during both seasons except feces frequency was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 group during summer season. Amphistomes spp. counts was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T2 group but moniezia and Eimeria spp. counts were significantly (P<0.01) lower in the T4 group during both seasons. Fecal coliform and E. coli counts were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T2 group followed by others during winter season, while during summer season fecal coliform count was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T2 group and E. coli count was lower in the T4 group. Total immunoglobulin concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T4 group followed by T3, T2 and lowest in control group during winter season, while during summer total immunoglobulin concentration was significantly higher in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group. Cell mediated immune response was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and lowest in the control group during winter season. While during summer season cell mediated immune response was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T3 followed by T4, T2 and lowest in the control group. Humoral immune response was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the T2 followed by T3, T4 and lowest in the control group during winter season while during summer humoral immune response was significantly higher in the T4 followed by T3, T2 and lowest in the control group. SOD, GSH and cortisol levels were significantly lower in the T4 followed by T3, T2, LPO levels was significantly lower in the T2 followed by T4, T3 and higher in the control group during winter season. During summer season, SOD and GSH levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T3 followed by T4, T2, LPO and cortisol levels were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the T4 followed by T2, T3 and higher in the control group. It can be concluded that, garlic and turmeric powder supplementation in the diet of crossbred female calves to improves their overall growth performance, hematobiochemical parameters, fecal characteristics, immunity response and reduces cholesterol concentrations, oxidative stress status during winter and summer season.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on feeding milk of Pantja goats and Badri cows to induced hypovolemic large white Yorkshire piglets(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2020-08) Dineshkumar, M.; Singh, D.V.Present study was carried out to find the effect of feeding milk of Pantja goats and Badri cows on haematological, physiological, behavioural and growth traits in induced hypovolemic LWY piglets. Experiment was conducted at Pig Unit, LPM Deptt., CVASc., GBPUAT, Pantnagar during Oct.–Nov. 2019 and May – June 2020, aiming to know normal blood picture, rate of recovery of various blood constituents, growth, physiological and behavioural traits in induced hypovolemic piglets under different treatments. Experiment utilised RBD design, blocked with body weight and gender with a total of 18, 2.5 months old Large White Yorkshire piglets for 30 days period. In all there were T0, T1, T2 groups with 6 piglets (4 male + 2 female) each. All the three groups’ piglets were subjected to induced hypovolemia by withdrawing 15% animal’s total blood volume, 7.5% in each time on 75th and 78th day. T0 group was maintained only with basal diet. T1 and T2 group piglets were additionally provided with Pantja goat milk and black Badri cow milk, respectively, during 75 to 105 day age. Volume of milk provided was double the amount of blood volume withdrawn from piglets to cause hypovolemia. Blood samples were collected on 75th, 78th, 82nd, 90th and 105th day. Body weight was measured every 10 days during 75th to 135th day. Physiology and behavioural characters were observed on 75th, 78th, 80th and 82nd day. From the result, average normal blood picture of weaned LWY piglets for haemoglobin (g/dl), ESR (mm/hr), platelet counts (105 cells/ mm3), TLC (103 cells/ mm3), TEC (106cells/ mm3), neutrophils (%), lymphocyte (%) and monocytes (%) was 11.36 ± 0.20, 10.00± 2.01, 3.1767 ± 0.2577, 5.8806 ± 0.1525, 16.211 ± 0.668, 25.94 ± 2.73, 69.39 ±2.60, 3.00 ± 0.22, respectively. Observed values differed significantly among groups for platelets count, TEC, TLC, neutrophil (%) and lymphocyte (%). T2 group piglets showed promising results in comparison to T1 and T0 group piglets. Whereas, haemoglobin, ESR, platelets count, TEC, neutrophil (%), lymphocyte (%) and monocytes (%) differed along days of testing. Their values resumed to normal level within a fortnight. Body weight gain analysed at various intervals picked maximum growth (P<0.01) during 105-115 day (255±30 g/ day) and it favoured T2 group (318±61 g/d) over others. Body weight gain during pre-experimental, experimental and post experimental period differed significantly (P<0.01) and the values were 99.2±7.8, 162.3±11.0 and 164.3±12.6 g/d, respectively. In all groups respiration rate was significantly (P<0.01) higher after blood withdrawal, on 78th day and it took a week to recover to normal state. Rectal temperature did not show any variation between groups as well as over one week of induced hypovolemia. Level of physical activity was similar for all groups but T2 group piglets recovered quicker than other piglets. Response to feed offering and playing in group was more appealing in Badri milk fed group and the animal behaviours were normal within one week time. Study revealed that black Badri milk fed piglets excelled in almost all haematological, growth, physiological and behavioural traits over Pantja goat milk fed piglets and control group piglets. Considering pig as a model for human study, the milk of black Badri cows may be considered useful in improving platelets count, humoral defence and immunity levels in conditions as have been developed experimentally in the present experiment. This nature of study was rare and the proof for review was scanty. So further studies are recommended on these lines with larger observations.ThesisItem Open Access A study on some characteristics of Lochia collected from crossbred cows(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2009-07) Suresh Kumar, N.; Singh, D.V.The study was conducted from October, 2008 to March, 2009 at Pantnagar on lochia (post-partum uterine secretion) collected from ten crossbred cows. The objective was to study physical, biochemical and microbial nature of lochia. On an average 21.3±1.7 ml of lochia could be collected from the cows. The colour of lochia was reddish brown, due to the autolysis and liquefaction of most superficial layers of uterine epithelium. The consistency of lochia was medium and slightly thicker than water and blood. The mean pH and electrical conductivity of lochia were 6.63±0.06 and 3.79 ± 0.64 ms/m, respectively. Typical fern pattern of cervical mucus of estrus was not observed with lochia. The mean glucose, urea nitrogen, albumin, globulin, total protein, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations of lochia samples were19.97±1.77 mg/dl, 30.99±3.33 mg/dl, 2.30 ± 0.09 g/dl, 4.69±0.14 g/dl, 7.00±0.20 g/dl, 11.26±0.46 mg/dl, 0.38±0.02 mg/dl, 116.50±4.96 mEq/l, 5.46±0.34 mEq/l, and 98.86±3.66 mEq/l, respectively. The glucose concentration in lochia samples was higher than that of uterine luminal fluid but lower than that of blood serum. Urea nitrogen content of lochia was higher than that of normal blood serum level. Protein concentrations in lochia samples were within normal range of blood serum. The calcium content in lochia was more than that of post-partum uterine fluid and blood serum level. Potassium and serum were within normal range of blood serum. The mean bacterial load of lochia was (4.53±0.48) x 103/ml, and significantly lower than lochia collected during uterine infections. Above findings indicate that lochia may be considered as uterine secretory product. Further analysis of lochia may reveal some specific constituents in it which may have role in improving fertility.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of addition of lochia on some characteristics of crossbred bulls’ semen(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2009-06) Iqbal, Syed Mohsin; Singh, D.V.The study was conducted on lochia (postpartum uterine secretion) samples collected from ten crossbred cows and semen from two crossbred bulls. The objective was to standardize the technique of lochia collection from crossbred cows and to study the effect of addition of lochia on progressive sperm motility percentage, live sperm percentage and abnormal sperm percentage of crossbred bulls’ semen. Lochia collection from uterus was done by using Foley’s catheter with syringe which helped to collect varying amount of lochia aseptically. The lochia added semen samples were divided into three treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) composing different (0.5 ml, 1 ml and 2ml, respectively) volumes of semen and 0.1 ml of lochia. In Control group 0.1 ml normal saline was added instead of lochia in semen sample. The values of overall mean of progressive sperm motility1, Live2 and abnormal3 sperm count in T1, T2, T3 and control group were (64.9 ± 1.7, 36.0 ± 0.6 and 13.6 ± 0.9)1, (64.6 ± 2.0, 66.1 ± 1.8, 65.0 ±2.2, 66.3 ±1.8)2 and (4.9 ± 0.7, 4.8 ± 0.8, 3.9 ± 0.7 and 4.4 ± 0.6)3 at 0 hour, (36.0 ± 0.63, 36.6 ± 1.18, 35.2 ± 1.25, and 37.1 ± 1.32)1, (43.2 ± 2.0, 42.1 ± 1.7, 43.1 ± 2.2 and 42.7 ± 1.8 )2 and (5.5 ± 0.6, 5.3 ± 0.6, 4.9 ± 0.9 and 4.4 ± 1.0)3 after 4 hours and (13.6 ± 0.97, 12.7 ± 1.20, 14.3 ± 1.19 and 14.57 ± 1.35)1, (25.3 ± 1.6, 24.1 ± 1.1, 26.0 ± 1.3 and 24.2 ± 1.3)2 and (5.5 ± 0.6, 5.3 ± 0.6, 4.9 ± 0.9 and 4.4 ± 1.0)3 after 8 hours, respectively. There were no significant differences among these values of control and treatments. The results show that the lochia is not detrimental to the survivability of the sperm. Further detailed investigation with more purified lochia at other dilution rates is needed.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on behaviour and performance of murrah she-buffaloes under cold stress ameliorating measures at organized farm in tarai region(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2006-10) Ekanayake, B.M.M.; Singh, D.V.The present investigation was conducted in two parts viz. studying the performance of Murrah she-buffaloes at IDF, Nagla over the years and conducting an experiment on 25 normally calved Murrah she-buffaloes to study the effect of cold stress ameliorating measures on their physiological, performance and behavioural responses during winter. The animals were divided into four groups viz. T1 - provided with paddy straw bedding and gunny bag jacketing T2- provided with luke warm water, T3- provided with provided with paddy straw bedding, gunny bag jacketing and luke warm water and T4 –control. LL was found to be significantly (P<0.05) more during the period 2 and 3 where as, LMY was significantly higher in buffaloes who calved during November-January and during period 2 and 4. Maximum 305-dMY was found in November and December calvers as well as in the period 2 and 4. AMY was significantly (P<0.05) higher in buffaloes calving during 2 peaks (November-February and June- August months) and period 4. PMY was significantly (P< 0.01) higher during 2nd lactation, February, June, November and December calvers as well as period 4. However, significant variation on DAPY due to any effect could not be ascertained. Morning and evening RR were significantly (P<0.01) different among groups. Morning RT and evening ST were significantly different among groups. Both morning and evening MD were significantly different among groups. Both morning and evening CC also varied significantly among groups. Buffaloes consumed significantly (P<0.01) more warm water than water at ambient temperature in morning. Morning, evening and daily milk yield were significantly (P<0.05) higher in warm water treatment groups. Milk pH and fat per cent were significantly (P<0.05) differ among groups. Frequency (%) of behavioural traits viz no raising head were significantly (P<0.01) and no ears pointing and stood up were significantly (P<0.05) different among groups. Urination while standing, total urination, no urination, defecation while standing, total defecation, no defecation, tail wagging and no tail wagging were significantly (P<0.05) different among groups. Overall mastication, mastication while sitting at left side and continuation of mastication were significantly (P<0.05) different among groups. It is concluded that cold stress amelioration during winter is important to improve the performance and well being of buffaloes.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of phenotypic and genetic diversity in different colour variants of Badri cattle using neutral and functional markers(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-07) Dar, Aashaq Hussain; Sanjay KumarThe present study was conducted on Badri cattle and its three colour variants viz., grey, brown and black from Uttarakhand state of India. Efforts were made for phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Badri cattle. For genetic characterization, microsatellite (SSR) and gene based markers were utilized to assess the general and functional genetic diversity in Badri cattle. Sampling was done from both Kumaon and Garhwal divisions of Uttarakhand, covering five hilly districts from each divisions. For genetic characterization, a total of 96 blood samples collected; 90 samples from the breeding tract (9 samples each from the 10 districts) and 3 samples each from University Dairy Farm, GBPUAT, Pantnagar and State Breeding Farm, Champawat . Phenotypic characterization of Badri cattle indiacted that it is a small sized cattle with an average adult body weight of about 200-250 kg. The body is compact and cylindrical with tight skin. The muzzle, horn, eyelids, switch of tail and hooves are mostly black in colour. Udder is small sized and trough (bowl) type. The fore and hind quarters of udder were small and medium sized respectively. The teat shape was cylindrical (70 and 78 %) and funnel type (30 and 32%) in Kumaon and Garhwal respectively. Data analysis revealed that breeding tract regions had no effect while as sex and age has significant effect on morphometric traits of Badri cattle. Badri cattle produce about 1.61 ±0.02 kg milk per day of lactation. The average lactation length, dry period, age of puberty, age at first calving, service period and calving interval were found to be 323.10 ±2.71, 82.20 ±0.99 days, 3.38 ±0.05 years and 4.38 ±0.05 years and 5.12 ±0.09 and 14.05 ±0.09 months respectively. The milk constituents viz. fat, protein, lactose, SNF and total solid percentage was higher than exotic cattle and some Indigenous breeds. The present study revealed that the mineral composition of Badri cattle milk is comparable with other cattle breeds. Ca, Mg, P, and Na content increased significantly in the third stage of lactation while potassium showed a reverse trend. The average serum glucose, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, creatinine and urea were found to differ significantly in summer and winter seasons. Using light microscopy, it was revealed that the hair shaft and medullary diameter at medial region and both regions of body i.e. dorsal and ventral, differed significantly within colour variants of Badri cattle, i.e. Grey, black and brown variants. At both dorsal region and ventral region within the colour variant groups, there was a significant difference between cortical thickness of hair shaft at proximal, medial and distal part. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the medullary diameter was significantly higher in medial region of hair shaft as compared to proximal and distal part in all the colour variants at both dorsal and ventral regions of the body. The genotypic characterization revealed that there was ample of genetic diversity in all the colour variants. Bottle neck analysis revealed that Badri cattle and its colour variants are under bottleneck. Structure analysis revealed that all the three colour variants of Badri cattle are actually single breed. Further it showed Badri cattle is a distinct breed as revealed by structure analysis with Red sindhi, Sahiwal, Jersey and Holstein Fresian. Individual assignment using GENECLASS software revealed that the individuals in three colour variants were assigned to all the 3 colour groups while a few individuals were assigned to other breeds at a negligible probability. The polymorphism at kappa-casein, beta-casein, alphalactalbumen, beta-globulin, butyrophilin, growth hormone and prolactin were in close range with other Indigenous cattle breeds.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaf powder feeding on the performance of Pantja goats(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-08) Mishra, Vaidehi; Palod, JyotiA study was conducted on 16, 6-8 months old Pantja kids for a period of 90 days to study the effect of feeding ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaf powder on growth performance, haemato-biochemical parameters and faecal egg counts in Pantja goats. The experimental animals were randomly divided into three treatments and one control group each with four goats having approximately same body weight. The goats of control group (T0) were offered 100 per cent concentrate with grazing while those of T1, T2 and T3 groups were fed ardu leaf powder replacing 25, 50 and 75 per cent concentrate respectively. With this diet schedule, grazing and ad libitum water was provided to all the experimental goats during the entire experimental period. Growth performance i.e. body weight was observed fortnightly. Blood samples were collected on 0, 30th, 60th and 90th day of experiment from all the animals for haemato-biochemical studies. Faecal samples were also collected on 0, 30th, 60th and 90th day. The results of the experiment indicated that ardu leaf powder supplementation showed significantly increased body weight, haemoglobin concentration, TEC, PCV, MCH, MCV, lymphocytes, serum HDL cholesterol, serum protein profile and serum calcium whereas significantly decreased serum glucose, serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, AST and ALT levels as well as faecal eggs count with best results found in goats fed 75% ardu leaf powder in place of concentrate. There was non- significant effect of ardu leaf powder feeding on serum urea and creatinine levels. All the treatment groups fed with ardu leaf powder showed reduction in feed cost with minimum feed cost noted in treatment group fed with 75% ardu leaf powder. From the results of present study it can be concluded that feeding ardu leaf powder replacing 75 per cent concentrate in the diet of goats may be advised to improve growth performance, haemato- biochemical parameters and faecal egg counts in Pantja goats. Further research should focus on use of ardu leaves/powder taking into consideration meat as well as milk production in goats.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on economic traits and replacement rate in crossbred cattle(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-07) Panwar, Vijay Amrit Raj; Sharma, R.K.The present study was undertaken on 2204 calvings of 390 crossbred cattle produced by 54 sires and maintained at Instructional Dairy Farm, Nagla of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand). The data had a spread of over of period of 36 years (1981-2016).The least-squares analysis of variance for the first lactation traits revealed that the effects due to sires were significant for age at first calving (AFC), first lactation 305 days milk yield (FLMY-305), first lactation milk yield (FLMY), first lactation length (FLL) and first service period (FSP), and non-significant for first dry period(FDP) and first calving interval (FCI). The effects due to the period of calving were found significant for FLL, FSP, whereas they were non-significant for all other traits. The effect due to the season of calving was found to be significant on FLMY-305 whereas nonsignificant effects were found for all other remaining traits. The effect due to the AFC was found highly significant (P 0.01) for FLMY whereas non-significant effects were found for all other remaining traits. The overall least-squares means for first lactation traits viz. age at first calving, first lactation 305 days milk yield, first lactation milk yield, first lactation length, first service period, first dry period and first calving interval were found as 1277.75 ± 101.56 days, 2673.48± 81.29 kg, 2746.23± 85.51 kg, 346.02 ± 7.44 days, 245.91± 5.39 days, 139.15± 7.53 days and 489.01± 9.79 days respectively. The heritability estimates for first lactation traits viz. age at first calving, first lactation 305 days milk yield, first lactation milk yield, first lactation length, first service period, first dry period and first calving interval were observed as 0.31 ± 0.14, 0.37 ± 0.12, 0.27 ± 0.07, 0.17 ± 0.08, 0.17 ± 0.08, 0.17 ± 0.11, 0.24 ± 0.13 and 0.21 ± 0.09 respectively.The period effect on replacement rate and its components viz., mortality, culling and replacement rate were found to be significant. The season of birth had significant effects on abnormal birth and replacement rate whereas they were nonsignificant for female mortality and culling rate in female calves.The average values of abnormal births, mortality and culling of female calves upto AFC were found to be 9.12, 15.70 and 30.15 percent respectively. The replacement rates on female calf basis and total pregnancies basis were estimated as 54.18 and 25.27 percent, respectively. About half (45.18percent) of total female calves were lost from the herd till they attain AFC due to mortality and culling. Only one fourth (25.27 percent) of the total pregnancies turned into replacement heifers. It may be concluded that performance of crossbred herd under study is comparable to other herds. Low to moderate heritability estimates obtained indicates presence of adequate genetic variation within the herd and hence improvement in traits under study is possible by genetic selection along with managemental interventions.
