Evaluation of Genetic and Performance Variability among Indigenous Cattle Breeds in Bundelkhand Region
Mayank Dubey
Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Narendra Kumar *
Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Nikita Diwakar
Department of Food and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural, University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Gaurav Shukla
Department of Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology (BUAT), Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Umesh Chandra
Department of Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology (BUAT), Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Somdutt Tripathi
Department of Agricultural Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Vivek pratap Singh
Mahayogi Gorakhnath Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Peppeganj, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the performance five major indigenous cattle breeds-Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Haryana and Kenkatha under the agro-climatic conditions of Bundelkhand region. The investigation aimed to compare their productive parameters i.e. Average milk yield/day, Lactation yield, Lactation Length, Veterinary expenses/year and reproductive performances i.e. Age at First Calving, Services per Conception, Calving Interval, Gestation Length and Birth weight of calves. A total of 20 lactating cows (4 each breed) were selected from our institutional herds (BUAT Livestock Farm). All cows were between 2nd to 4th lactation and heathy. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test at 5% significance. Results revealed significant breed effects (p < 0.05) for most parameters except gestation length. Sahiwal recorded the highest milk yield (7.8 ± 1.0 L/day) and lactation production (2434 ± 345 L), followed closely by Gir (7.2 ± 1.1 L/day). Kenkatha, the native Bundelkhand breed, showed lower production (3.9 ± 0.7 L/day) but better adaptation traits such as earlier age at first calving (34 ± 3 months) and reduced veterinary expenditure (₹5800 ± 1300 per year). Statistical correlations indicate positive association between milk yield and fertility traits, while veterinary cost inversely related to breed adaptability. The results emphasize the necessity for local indigenous Kenkatha breed conservation and breed enhancement strategies that balance adaptability and productivity in the semi-arid Bundelkhand region.
Keywords: Indigenous cattle, Gir, sahiwal, tharparkar, haryana, kenkatha, bundelkhand, milk yield, reproductive performance