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ThesisItem Open Access ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LINEAR TYPE TRAITS AND PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF SAHIWAL COWS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) AJAY KUMAR; LATHWAL, S.S.Sahiwal is one of the best indigenous descriptive milch breed of India. It have good genetic potential for higher milk production. Linear type scoring is key component in decision making process in the herd, as it focusses on the selection of animals with higher productive potential based on their morphological traits. Keeping in view the importance of linear type traits, the present study was proposed to study the association between linear type traits and production performance of Sahiwal cows. The present investigations was carried out on 150 lactating Sahiwal cattle maintained at Livestock Research Centre. Measurements on linear type traits were recorded before the evening milking at three different stage of lactation. The average mean value of objective linear type traits was viz., stature 125.35±0.26 cm; chest width 25.96±0.15 cm; body depth 64.06±0.22 cm; rump width 16.92±0.11 cm; rump angle 12.94±0.22 cm; rear legs set 159.78°±0.43 degree; foot angle 43.47°±0.31degree; fore udder attachment 123.23°±1.29 degree; rear udder height 17.55±0.24 cm; udder depth 6.80±0.29 cm; rear udder width 8.39±0.13 cm; central ligament 3.21±0.07 cm; fore teat length 7.34±0.13 cm; rear teat length 6.47±0.12 cm; teat circumference 10.00±0.11 cm; teat diameter 3.18±0.03 cm and udder balance -0.22±0.16 cm. On the other hand, average mean score of subjective linear type traits (1-9 scale) was viz., angularity 4.69±0.09; rear leg rear view 5.05±0.06; body condition score 6.53±0.08; locomotion 4.88±0.06; fore teat placement 4.41±0.07 and rear teat placement 6.28±0.08. The non-genetic factors incorporated were the effect of parity (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th), stage of lactation (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and season (summer, rainy, autumn and winter). Data was analyzed by least square technique to examine the effect of non-genetic factors on conformation traits. Season of scoring had non-significant effect on linear type traits in present study. Parity had a significant (P<0.05) effect on chest width, body depth, rump width, fore udder attachment, udder depth, rear udder width, central ligament, fore teat length and rear teat length. The influence of stage lactation on body depth, body condition score, rear udder height and rear udder width was also shown to be significant (P<0.05). Parity had statistically significant (P<0.05) effect on monthly milk yield, but had no significant effect on 305 DMY and TMY. In Sahiwal cattle, there was a significant effect (P<0.05) of parity on calving interval, but not on dry period and service period. Low to moderate association was observed between and among the type traits, however moderate to high correlation was found among the production and fertility traits. Another marked difference was that rump width and rump angle were negatively correlated with calving interval. Result indicate that cows with slopping rumps were have shorter calving interval and it might be due to the pin bone slightly lower than hip bone along with wider rump width which can help ease of calving, better uterine discharge and improved genital health of animals. The traits such as body depth, angularity, rear udder width and central ligament are positively and significantly (P<0.05; P<0.01) correlated with production traits, indicate more angular cows with deeper body, wider rear udder width and stronger udder support in these breeds could lead to increased milk production. Udder depth had negative phenotypic association with average daily milk yield, monthly milk yield, 305 DMY and total milk yield in Sahiwal cattle. Our study showed that Sahiwal cattle may be selected on the basis of some important conformation traits (body depth, angularity, rear udder width and central ligament) having positive correlation with production traits. The present study may be continued to include a larger data set for validation and better accuracy of result for the selection of dairy animals.ThesisItem Open Access SCROTAL INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SEMEN QUALITY AND FREEZABILITY IN DEONI BULLS(ICAR-SRS-NDRI, BENGALURU, 2021) Prashant Kumar; MUKUND A. KATAKTALWAREThe present study was carried out to establish the scrotal thermographic profile, to investigate seasonal variation in body surface temperature (BST) and its influence on sexual behaviour, and to study the association of scrotal surface temperature (SST) with semen quality and freezability in Deoni bulls. The season, Temperature humidity index (THI) and feeding had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the scrotal surface, ocular thermal profile and body surface temperatures of Deoni bulls. The higher THI (>72.92) had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the scrotal surface, ocular temperature and body surface temperatures of Deoni bulls as compared to moderate (65.24-72.92) and low (<65.24) THI. The temperature gradient (TG, °C) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in winter (3.57±0.03) as compared to other seasons. The forehead temperature, ocular temperature, flank region temperature, rump region temperature, and rectal temperature were significantly (P<0.05) higher in summer i.e. 35.46±0.04°C, 37.67±0.02°C, 35.15±0.04°C, 35.71±0.04°C, and 37.46±0.01°C, respectively as compared to the rainy and winter seasons. Dismounting time was significantly (P<0.05) lower in winter (2.10±0.08 sec) as compared to summer (2.90±0.16 sec) and rainy (2.50±0.09 sec) seasons. The sperm concentration (x106/ml) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the rainy (1588±117.9) as compared to the summer and winter seasons. Live spermatozoa (%), plasma membrane integrity [PMI (%)] and acrosome integrity [AI (%)] were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the winter (59.86±1.47, 47.36±1.21, and 67.55±1.38, respectively) in fresh as well as in frozen (41.64±1.40, 36.64±1.25, and 58.81±1.36, respectively) semen as compared to the summer and rainy seasons. The TG was negatively (P<0.05) correlated with total abnormalities in fresh semen, highly positively (P<0.01) correlated with PMI in fresh and frozen semen, and positively (P<0.05) correlated with AI in frozen semen. It could be concluded that infrared thermography is a reliable and useful technique in determining the consequences of environmental stress on physiology in general and semen quality in particular in Deoni bulls.ThesisItem Open Access ENERGY BUDGETING OF DAIRY BASED INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM IN KARNAL, HARYANA(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) JASWANT KUMAR REGAR; MISRA, A.K.Present investigation was carried out during 2019-21 to study the energy budgeting of dairy based integrated farming system in Karnal, Haryana. The study was conducted both at on-station and on-farm. For on-farm, one farmer practicing traditional dairy-based model was selected from Karnal district. For on-station study, dairy-based IFS model developed at NDRI was selected. The components of IFS model were selected based on prevailing agricultural production systems being practised by the small and marginal farmers. The IFS model consisting of one ha land holding with the components viz., food crop production (0.4 ha), fodder components (0.5 ha), Dairy (0.03 ha), fish pond (0.04 ha), Vermicompost unit (0.02 ha) and poultry house, Farmhouse, storage (0.01ha). The results revealed that with the same unit of land (1 ha), net income generated at on-station was higher (Rs. 3,63,595) than the farmer’s field (Rs. 2,52,601). The contribution of dairy component was 54.63 % in total net farm return followed by fodder crops (17.35 %), food crops (15.32 %) and subsidiary enterprises (poultry, fishery and vermin-compost, etc.) contributed (12.70 %) in dairy based integrated farming system at on-station while the farmer’s field, maximum share of net return was obtained from dairy (67.03 %) followed by food crops (22.63%) and fodder crops (20.34%). On-station enterprise were beneficial than farmer’s field as benefit cost ratio was 1.57 and 1.39, respectively. Employment generation was more at on-station IFS system with 474 mandays while farmer’s field generated employment of 390 mandays. 4% FCM yield (kg) and wheat equivalent yield (kg.) for on-station IFS system and farmer’s field were 16917.10 kg, 16439.59 kg, and 30,186.80 kg, 29845.81 kg, respectively. Energy budgeting was more efficient for farmer’s system with energy use efficiency of 1.97 while for on-station system it was 1.37. Net energy gain of 201168.52 MJ at on-station and it was 259762.10 MJ for farmer’s field. Direct and indirect energy input in on-station system and farmer’s field were 29214.91 MJ, 248208.30 MJ and 35872.02 MJ, 232955.20 MJ, respectively. On-station IFS system utilized more renewable energy than farmer’s field (88.62% vs 83.72%) while non-renewable energy consumption was more for farmer’s field (16.28%) than the onstation system (11.38%). Based on above results it can be concluded that dairy based onstation IFS system was efficient in productivity, profitability and employment generation, whereas energy budgeting was better at farmer’s field than on-station IFS system. However, on-station IFS model utilized more renewable energy.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF BIOSTIMULATION ON PUBERTY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF MURRAH BUFFALO HEIFERS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) DHARMA SAHU; KAMBOJ, M.L.Late onset of puberty and poor estrus detection are the major reproductive problems in water buffaloes. Biostimulation has been reported to reduce age at puberty through priming pheromones and help in early and accurate detection of estrus in Bos indicus cattle, sheep, goat and pigs through signaling pheromones. It has also been reported to improve estrus detection and reproductive performance in buffaloes by varying degree and type of contacts during post-partum period. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of biostimulation by bull on the growth, age at puberty, estrus behavior, estrus intensity and reproductive performance of growing buffalo heifers. For this study a total of 24 prepubertal heifers (age = 15 months and body weight = 199 kg) were randomly allotted to 3 groups (T0, T1 and T2) of 8 each for a period of 10.5 months. In T0, the heifers were not exposed to the bull; in T1, the heifers were exposed to the bull through a fenceline contact and in T2 group, the heifers were exposed to bull through direct contact by bull parading for total 6 hours/day-twice a day, 3 hours in the morning (6:00-9:00 AM) and 3 hours in the evening (4:00-700 PM). The 3 groups of heifers were housed separately at a distance of about 0.5 km from each other. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 21.0) using descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA and a general linear model. The difference in average frequencies of oestrus behaviors of three different groups was evaluated using DMRT during both first and second estrus. The mean body weight, average daily gain and mean dry matter intake were significantly (p<0.05) different among three groups with highest overall body weight, average daily gain and dry matter intake of 293.57± 5.36 kg, 0.75± 0.02 kg and 8.05± 0.47 kg respectively in T2 followed by 281.72±4.71 kg, 0.65±0.02 kg and 7.54 ± 0.34 kg respectively in T1 group and the least 267.97±3.75 kg, 0.53±0.01 kg and 6.97± 0.26 kg respectively in T0 group of heifers. The overall mean of leptin and growth hormones levels were significantly (p<0.05) different among three groups with highest in T2 (10.25±0.98 ng/ml and 17.66±0.97 ng/ml), followed by T1 (7.96±0.61 and 14.69± 0.69 ng/ml) and the lowest in T0 (5.90 ±0.28 ng/ml and 12.17± 0.39 ng/ml). Number of heifers detected in estrus in T2, T1 and T0 were 8, 5 and 5. Mean age at first estrus was 21.50±0.44, 23.55±0.85 and 25.61±0.70 months in T2, T1 and T0 heifers respectively and the differences in these values were highly significant (p<0.05). The overall mean body weight at first estrus was 348±8.53, 342±13.46 and 330±12.45 kg in T2, T1 and T0 respectively which did not differ significantly among the treatments. The mean frequencies of estrus behaviours including sniffing/licking, tail raising, micturition, chin resting, and allowing mounting attempts were increased in second estrus as compared to first estrus in all 3 groups. There were significant differences in mean frequencies of these estrus behaviours during first as well as second estrus among 3 groups of heifers; being the highest in T2 followed by T1 and T0. The onset of most of estrus behaviour expression was seen on d -3 which started to rise from d -2 and continued to rise till d 0 and then declined on d +1 and almost ceased till d +3. The general behaviours (daily time devoted to eating, rumination and resting) were decreased on the day of estrus during both first and second estrus as compared to reference day in all three groups of heifers. On the day of estrus, there were significantly differences (p<0.05) in these behaviours among three groups. The intensity of expression of estrus behaviours was significantly higher in both bull exposed heifers (T1 nad T2) than no bull exposed heifers (T0) with most of estrus signs being intense in T2, moderate to intense in T1 and weak to moderate in T0. The total duration of estrus and duaration of standing estrus were significantly (p<0.05) more in T2 and T1 than T0 group of heifers. The conception rate and accuracy of estrus detection were better in T2 and T1 than T0 group of heifers. It was concluded that biostimulation of buffalo heifers both by direct bull contact and fenceline bull contact improved the growth, advanced the age at puberty, elicited greater expression and intensity of estrus behaviours. The biostimulation through direct bull contact for 6 hours daily was more advantageous than round-the-clock fenceline bull contact.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL AND HERBAL GALACTOGOGUES ON PRODUCTION, REPRODUCTION AND IMMUNITY OF SAHIWAL COWS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) JYOTIMALA SAHU; MISRA, A.K.The present study was carried out to study the effect of supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal and herbal galactogogues on production, reproduction and immunity of Sahiwal cows. Twenty four lactating Sahiwal cows were maintained at NDRI, Livestock Research Centre were selected for the study period of 150 days post-partum in each cow. Experimental cows were randomly divided in four treatments consisting of six cows each. Tc considered as control (without any supplementation), TM supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) @12% of concentrate, THG supplemented with @60g/day/cow herbal galactogogues mixture containing shatavari, fenugreek and jivanti in the ratio of 1:1:1 and TMIX supplemented combination of herbal galactogogues @60g/day/cow and MOLM @12% of concentrate. The results revealed adequate amounts of crude protein (22.69%) in Moringa oleifera leaf meal. Moreover, shatavari, fenugreek and jivanti had 6.55, 22.66, 16.58 % CP. Besides, significant (P≤0.05) improvements were recorded on nutrients utilization in TM, THG, TMIX than Tc. Whereas, DM intake, body weight and metabolic body weight of experimental animals were not affected following supplementation. Significant (P≤0.05) improvements were also noted on daily milk yield, total solids, fat per cent, 4% FCM and ECM yield in TM, THG, TMIX than Tc. Furthermore, milk SCC reduced significantly (P≤0.05) in TM than Tc. As well as, SFA’s in milk were significantly (P≤0.05) reduced while UFA’s were significantly (P≤0.05) improved in TMIX and TM than TC. Blood plasma profile including total plasma immunoglobulins, albumin, glucose were improved significantly (P≤0.05) in TM, THG, TMIX than Tc. Besides, reproductive parameters were significantly (P≤0.05) better in TM, THG, TMIX than Tc. In addition reproductive disease incidence reduced better in TM, THG, TMIX than Tc. At last, higher net return (`) was noted in TM (301.18), TMIX (268.70), THG (231.04) than Tc (213.06). The benefit: cost ratio was also higher in TM (3.31), and TMIX (2.87) than Tc (2.81). Reproductive efficiency was improved as a result of percent reduction in total cost per cow per successful service by 15.77, 0.33 and 2.97, respectively in TM, THG, TMIX than Tc. It can be concluded that dietary inclusion of M. oleifera and herbal galactogogue alone and combination improved production and reproduction performance of Sahiwal cows. Inclusion of Moringa oleifera and herbal galactogogues not only enhanced immunity but also reduces disease incidence. These results suggest that dietary incorporation of M. oleifera leaf meal improves the performance of Sahiwal cows, and is economically feasible, hence, can be recommended to dairy farmers to generate maximum income.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE OF MIGRATORY FLOCKS OF GADDI GOATS IN NORTH-WESTERN HIMALAYAN REGION(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) ANKAJ THAKUR; KAMBOJ, M.L.The present study was carried out to investigate the behaviour and welfare of Gaddi goats in the north-western Himalyan region. Behaviours were recorded for 15 min/hour for 8 hours of grazing daily for four consecutive days using focal sampling by video cameras on four flocks at key stages of production cycle during post-kidding (PK) at low-hills, mid-lactation (ML) at mid-hills and mid-pregnancy (MP) at high-hills. The assessment protocol was adapted from AWIN framework for goats (AWIN, 2015). It was categorized into five welfare domains (feeding, environment/facility around camping, health, behaviour and performance) with 32 welfare indicators (5, 6, 9, 5 and 7 from each domain respectively) and domains were assigned a welfare score (WS) of 25,15,30,15 and 15 respectively aggregating into 100. The adapted protocol was tested for its validity (by expert judgment) and reliability by Cronbach’s alpha. It was found valid (91.3 percent of experts agreement) and reliable with the value of Cronbach's α as 0.90. Welfare assessment was performed at low hills on two migratory routes on 24 flocks categorized into small (S<100 goats), medium (M=100-200 goats) and large (L>200 goats) with eight flocks each.Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SSPS. Total daily feeding time (browsing plus grazing) was higher (P<0.05) at ML (282.15±2.8 min; 58.77±0.5%) as compared to PK (270.37±5.6 min; 56.33±1.1%) and MP (261.98±2.7 min; 54.58±0.4%). Time devoted to browsing was higher (P<0.05) at ML (220.18±2.6 min; 45.87±0.5%) as compared to PK (173.08±3.8 min; 36.06±0.7%) and MP (40.32±0.9 min; 8.40±0.1%) while daily grazing time was greatest at MP (221.66±3.6 min) followed by PK (97.29±4.8 min) and ML (61.97±3.3 min). Standing time was greater (P<0.05) at MP (46.83±3.7 min) and PK (39.83±1.9 min) as compared to ML (24.01±2.1 min). Daily times spent on walking, rumination and lying were similar at three stages. Frequency of bipedal stance was higher (P<0.05) at ML (28.50±2.1) as compared to PK (12.50±1.7) and MP (4.17±0.6). Frequency of self-grooming was higher (P<0.05) at PK (14.00±2.1) than at ML (5.83±1.5) and MP (1.0±0.6) while frequencies of allogrooming was similar at three stages. Frequency of object grooming was greater (P<0.05) at ML (2.16±0.6) as compared to PK (1.0±0.3) and MP (0.00±0.0).S flocks scored higher (P<0.05) than M and L flocks in feeding (14.25±0.8 vs. 11.00±1.3 and 10.12±0.8), health (26.25±1.1 vs. 24.25±.9 and 21.37±0.8) and environmental domains (12.3±0.2 vs. 8.37±0.5 and 9.00±0.8). Welfare scores of behavioural domain in S flocks (14.75±0.2) were higher (P<0.05) than L (12.75±0.4) but were not different from M flocks (13.62±0.5) whereas scores of performance were higher (P<0.05) in S (12.75±0.7) and M (9.75±1.0) than L flocks (8.62±1.0). Overall welfare scores in S (80.62±2.4) were higher (P<0.05) than in L (62.87±3.3) and M (69.00±3.7) flocks. Results showed that Gaddi goats spent most of day time in feeding and walking with little time spent on standing, lying and rumination. Feeding was undertaken through grazing predominantly at high-hills and through browsing in bipedal stance during lactation at low and mid-hills. Grooming activities were most evident at postkidding and during lactation at low and mid-hills. Welfare was found acceptable (welfare score >60) at all small flocks, 75% of medium flocks, 50% of large flocks and 75% of all studied flocks. Body condition score, environmental protection to kids, animal losses, hair coat condition, healthcare practices, familiar human approach test and abortions were most compromised welfare indicators at large and medium flocks. In conclusion, welfare of most of Gaddi goat flocks was acceptable (75 per cent) and small flocks performed better than medium and large flocks.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH STATUS AND WELFARE OF DAIRY ANIMALS UNDER DIFFERENT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN UTTARAKHAND(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) MAYAMITTA SAINI; KAMBOJ, M.L.The aim of this study was to assess health status and welfare of dairy animals under different production systems in the state of Uttarakhand. For assessment of health status, a herd health scale was developed which was validated with expert’s opinion and its reliability was tested with Cronbach’s Alpha (0.709). A total 60 farms, in four districts of Uttarakhand under intensive (Haridwar and Udhamsingh Nagar) and extensive (Uttarkashi and Tehri) production system were selected and categorized into large (L= 20), medium (M= 20) and small (S=20) farms. Assessment of health status showed that in intensive system, there were no significant difference among total health scores of component A, B and C as well as in overall health scores of L, M and S farms. In extensive system there were no significant differences in component A and C or in overall welfare scores whereas significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in B among L M and S farms. Overall, 53.33% of intensive and 70% of extensive farms had acceptable level of health scores. Assessment of welfare level revealed that in intensive system, there was no significant difference among total welfare scores of A, B and C component in L, M and S farms. In extensive system significant (P <0.05) lower welfare scores were observed in component A (3.50±0.17) as well as B (3.80±0.29) for L relative to S and M farms. Health and welfare scores of farms under intensive system were positively (P<0.01) correlated (0.656). It was concluded that dairy cattle at over two thirds of extensive farms and over half of intensive farms had acceptable level of health. The welfare of dairy cattle at farms under intensive system of management was better than those managed under extensive system. However, the welfare of cattle was compromised at all of extensive farms and most of intensive farms.ThesisItem Open Access EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT POST-MILKING TEAT DIPS IN PREVENTION OF INTRAMAMMARY INFECTION AND TEAT CONDITION SCORE IN CROSSBRED COWS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) SHIWANI TIWARI; LATHWAL, S.S.Mastitis continues to be a costly disease in modern dairy farming despite considerable efforts dedicated to solving it for the many decades. Effective and economical way to control mastitis depends on prevention rather than treatment. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the Efficacy of Different Post-Milking Teat Dips in Prevention of Intramammary Infection and Teat Condition Scores in Crossbred Cows. Eighty healthy crossbred cows were selected and randomly divided into four groups, G-1 (No dip), G-2 (Iodine), G-3 (Lactic acid) and G-4 (Essential oil) based on post milking teat dipping. Samples were collected quarter wise (n = 308), and skin condition scores was done four times during 90 days of study period, 1st sample collected before starting teat dipping, then 15th DIM, 45th DIM and 90th DIM, respectively. All samples were analyzed for California mastitis test (CMT), Somatic cell count (SCC), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Milk composition and Bacterial identification. Post milking teat dipping groups significantly decrease the mean SCC, CMT, sub clinical mastitis (SCM) and reduction of clinical mastitis (CM) as compare to control group. When average of the first 3 monthly records was compared between groups, the average monthly milk weights were significantly different post milking teat dipping group produce more milk. . The group that received post-milking teat dipping experienced the biggest reduction in teat end condition (TEC) and teat skin condition (TSC) during the 90-day trial. The relationship between somatic SCC, TEC, TSC and clinical mastitis (CM) was evaluated. TEC had an impact on SCC in this study, the relationship between teat end condition and SCCs was significant, whereas the relationship between SCCs and teat skin condition was not significant, there was a significant association between teat end condition score and clinical mastitis in this study, while no such relationship was discovered between teat skin condition and clinical mastitis The disc diffusion antibacterial activity of essential oils (tea tree oil and lavender oil) against S. aureus, E. coli, B. cerus, and S. typhi isolates, tea tree oil creates Inhibition zones that are 9 to 18 mm in diameter and Lavender oil creates Inhibition zones that are 8 to 20 mm in diameter on average. The MICs of tea tree oil against S. aureus, E. coli, B cerus, and S. typhi were 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, and 1.25 percent v/v, Lavender oil had MIC values of 2.5, 2.5, 1.25, and 1.25 percent v/v against S. aureus, E. coli, B cerus, and S. typhi, respectively. IMI, were influenced by environmental and climatologic factor. IMI was more common in Hot Dry and Hot Humid and lowest in Autumn Season. The result reiterated the importance of post milking teat dipping in prevention of intra-mammary infection, milk quality, teat condition score (TEC & TSC) and milk production. This study also highlights the utility of a herbal based essential oils in the prevention of intra mammary infection by using as dipping solution in dairy cattle, which resulted in decrease in sub clinical and clinical mastitis incidence along with low SCC score in milk.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MILK LET-DOWN STIMULI AND BIOSTIMULATION ON THE PERFORMANCE AND BEHAVIOR OF SAHIWAL CATTLE(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) INGLE VINAYAK SHIVAJIRAO; KAMBOJ, M.L.The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of fence-line and restricted cow-calf contact and bio-stimulation on production, reproduction, growth, health and behaviour of Sahiwal cattle. For this purpose, 20 cow-calf pairs were selected at parturition and assigned into 2 groups (T0 and T1) of 10 cow-calf pair each for a period of 6 months. In T0, restricted calf contact group, calves were separated from mother at birth and allowed limited contact for 10-15 min each at morning and evening milking and cows were not exposed to bull. Calves in T1, fence-line calf contact group were separated from their mother through fence- line barrier and allowed mother suckling twice daily at milking and cows were also exposed to fence line contact of bull. The overall means of daily milk yield and milk flow rate was higher (p<0.01) in T1 (7.61±0.13 kg/day, 1.059±0.02kg/min) than in T0 (6.82±0.19 kg/day, 0.969±.0.01kg/min) respectively. The overall means of milk let down time was higher (p<0.01) in T0 (71.00±1.88 sec) than in T1 (51.30±1.34 sec).The overall means of milking time was higher (p<0.05) in T1 (6.29±0.09 min) than in T0 (5.82±0.16 min).The mean difference in milking temperament score was significant up to 13 weeks of calving in two groups. The means of plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher (p<0.01) in T0 than T1 cows. Final body weight and daily body weight gain at 6 month of age was higher (p<0.01) in T1 (119.2 ±4.9 kg, 0.544±0.13 kg/day) than in T0 (98.3 ±2.4 kg, 0.431±0.17 kg/day). Daily dry matter intake was higher (p<0.05) in T1 (2.26±0.32 kg) than in T0 (1.72±0.25 kg) calves. Immunoglobulin G concentrations in blood plasma on day 28, 41 and 60 after calving were 16.46±0.79 vs. 14.06±0.63, 14.89±0.66 vs. 13.09±0.60 and 13.30±0.77 vs. 11.71±0.52 mg/ml were higher in T1 (p<0.01) than T0 calves. Incidence of calf diarrhea, fever and bloat was lower in T1 as compared to T0 calves. Frequencies of time spent on abnormal behaviour of cross-sucking (2.64±0.27 vs. 1.84±0.19 min), self- licking (1.88±0.14 vs. 1.22±0.20 min) and licking inanimate objects (1.98±0.28) vs.1.22±0.18 min) were higher (p<0.01) in T0 than in T1. In case of first and second estrus the mean frequencies of estrus behaviours including sniffing/licking, tail raising, micturition, chin resting, flehmen response, mounting on others, allowing mounting attempts, and agonistic interactions of cows and bull were significantly (P<0.01) higher in T1 than T0from d -1 to d 0 of estrus and then declined from d +1 onwards. The frequencies of estrus behavior increased in second estrus as compared to first estrus in both groups. Mean daily time spent during first estrus on eating in T0 and T1 (6.70±0.40, and 5.44±0.38 h), rumination (7.70±0.30 and 6.66±0.37 h) and resting (8.12±0.28 and 7.55±0.44 h) on the day of estrus, were significantly (P<0.01) lower in T1 than in T0. Mean daily time spent during second estrus on eating in T0 and T1 (5.75±0.37and 4.29 h), rumination (6.88±0.35 and 5.14±0.34 h) and resting (7.50±0.38 and 6.00±0.44 h) on the day of estrus, were lower in T1 than in T0. Overall mean intensity of estrus during first estrus in T0 was largely weak (93.75%) and in T1 weak to moderate (79.30 & 20.70 %) respectively. The per cent mean intensity of estrus in second estrus was weak to moderate (50.68 & 49.31) in T0 whereas, percentage of weak, moderate and intense estrus (23.01, 66.26 and 14.28) in T1, respectively. The average days to first estrus and first service were lower (p<0.05) in T1 (80.20±6.19, 93.30±8.01) than in T0 (99.90±6.57, 127.20±13.79) respectively. It was concluded that natural calf suckling along-with fence-line calf contact improved the milking performance, milking behaviour and reduced the stress levels of Sahiwal cows and improved the growth, health and behaviour of their calves. The expression of estrus behaviour, estrus intensity and the reproductive performance of post- partum Sahiwal cows incalf contact were remarkably improved by biostimulation through exposure to a fence-line bull contact.
