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Background: Milk production is one of the most important economic traits in dairy cattle. Crossing of zebu cattle (Bos indicus) with temperate cattle breeds (Bos taurus) was undertaken to improve the milk production in India. Crossbreeding has resulted in improved production performance of the dairy animlas over the past few decades. Methods: Data on 50 purebred Sahiwal cows from the Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and 50 Holstein Friesian  Sahiwal crossbred cows maintained at the Military Dairy Farm, Secunderabad were utilized to study the influence of breed and parity on various production and reproduction traits. The various traits studied were: Total lactation milk yield (TLMY) Lactation length (LL), Peak yield (PY), Age at first service (AFS), Age at first calving (AFC), Gestation period (GP), Service period (SP), Dry period (DP) and Calving interval (Cl). Result: In the present study, significant effect of breed was found on the TLMY and PY with the crossbreds recording higher values for both the traits. The means for TLMY, PY, LL, GP, SP, DP and CI were 1768.32±109.67 kg, 10.17±0.50 kg, 304.41±13.00 days, 277.71±2.24 days, 182.60±15.51 days, 167.47±10.68 days and 430.23±13.46 days in Sahiwal and 2983.45±78.32 kg, 14.92±0.36 kg, 324.71±9.29 days, 275.34 days, 181.09±10.91 days, 127.01±7.51, 413.61±9.47 days in crossbred cows respectively. It may be concluded that the productive performance of crossbred cows was better than that of indigenous cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growing demand for improving milk production and rising temperatures due to global warming has increased the thermal load on dairy animals. Physiological parameters such as respiration rate and body temperature mainly determine the adaptability of animals to climate stress. During genetic adaptation, Bos indicus cattle have acquired thermo tolerant genes and when exposed to heat stress conditions, the Bos indicus cattle have lower respiration rates and rectal temperatures than Bos taurus animals. The present study was aimed to study the effect of seasons on the physiological responses in Sahiwal and crossbred cows. Methods: A total of 50 crossbred cows maintained at Military Dairy Farm, Secunderabad and 50 Sahiwal cows maintained at Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, PVNRTVU were utilized for the present investigation. The study was conducted during summer (THI= 83.71±0.01), rainy (THI= 71.37±0.01) and winter (THI= 66.69±0.01) seasons. Changes in respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) were observed in different seasons in Sahiwal and crossbred cows. Result: RR (breaths/min) in Sahiwal cows during summer, rainy and winter were 28.56±0.38, 23.38±0.38 and 20.54±0.38 respectively whereas RR (breaths/min) in crossbred cows were 44.58±0.38, 25.94±0.38 and 21.90±0.38 respectively. In Sahiwal cows RT (ï, °C) during summer, rainy and winter were 38.52±0.03, 38.23±0.03 and 38.13±0.03 respectively whereas RT (ï,°C) in crossbred cows were 39.22±0.02, 38.72±0.03 and 37.80±0.03 respectively. The magnitude of increase in RR, RT and HTC were found to be higher during summer compared to other seasons in both Sahiwal and crossbred cows. It was observed that Sahiwal cows are less sensitive to heat stress and are better able to regulate their body temperature than crossbred cows when environmental temperature increases during summer. The HTC values were lower in Sahiwal cows in all the seasons studied indicating better thermo tolerance when compared to the crossbred cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among the three varieties of Nellore sheep, Nellore brown was most popular among the shepherds of Telangana state. The research on the performance of the other two varieties i.e. Palla and Dora was done extensively in their home tract but less data was available about performance of Nellore brown under different system of rearing. The growth rate of lambs was highest from birth to weaning in their life. The system of rearing can influence both growth rate and biometrical measurements of the lamb. The performance of the lambs during this stage influence the productive and reproductive performance in the lifetime. Methods: Sixty Nellore brown ewes (1.5-2 years) were selected from Sheep unit, Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Telangana for the present study. The lambs born in intensive (G1, lambs born N=14), Semi-intensive (G2, lambs born N=14) and Extensive (G3, lambs born N=12) system of rearing were used to study the growth performance and biometry of lambs from birth to weaning. Result: The birth weight (kg) of lambs in G1 and G2 groups were significantly (P<0.01) higher than lambs in G3 group. The weaning body weight (Kg) was significantly higher (P<0.01) in G1 group as compared to weaning body weights in G2 and G3 group. The mean average ADG (gm) of lambs from birth to weaning was significantly (P<0.01) higher in G1 (105.4±0.19) followed by G2 (97.9±0.14) and G3 (92.8±0.07) group. The mean pin shoulder length (cm) of lambs at birth in G1 group was higher than G2 and G3 group but had a significant (P<0.05) difference with the only G3 group. In G1 group, the mean heart girth (cm) of lambs from15th day to weaning was significantly (P<0.01) higher than G2 and G3 groups. The mean gain in paunch girth from birth to weaning in lambs of three groups was nearly 19 cm and had no significant (P<0.05) difference between groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body condition score in sheep was used to evaluate the adequacy of previous feed supply, decide potential feed requirements in the future, evaluate individual animal health status, decide animal condition during daily routine, welfare inspection and in meat production systems. Methods: 60 Nellore brown ewes from Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Warangal district was randomly allotted to three rearing systems i.e intensive (G1), semi-intensive (G2) and extensive (G3) system of each 20 animals. BCS and body weight of the sheep was recorded at various reproductive stages i.e. just before breeding of animals, during pregnancy and lactation period to assess the nutritional status and reproductive performance of the sheep. Result: The mean average body weight (kg) of pregnant ewes in G2 group had no significant (P<0.05) difference with G3 group. The average mean body weight (kg) of ewes in G1 (27.58±0.37 kg) group had significant (P<0.05) difference with G2 (25.50±0.32 kg) group during lactation period of 90 days. The total gain of BCS during pregnancy period in the G1, G2 and G3 groups were 0.63±0.06, 0.53±0.06 and 0.44±0.11, respectively. The overall mean BCS of the ewes 48hrs after lambing was higher in G1 (3.0±0.10) group followed by G2 (2.73±0.10) and G3 (2.38±0.08) group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heat stress has been a major concern in tropical, sub-tropical and arid areas affecting the performance of farm animals. Along with vitamin E and Selenium, chromium is gaining importance in combating heat stress. Methods: Twenty-four calves of 7-8 months old with an average body weight of 172.79±4.39 kg were distributed randomly into four dietary treatment groups (T0, T1, T2 and T3). The calves of control group (T0) were fed on basal diet i.e. total mixed ration (TMR). The basal diet of T1, T2 and T3 on per kg DM basis were supplemented vitamin E (500 IU) + selenium (0.3 mg), chromium propionate (0.5 mg) and chromium propionate (0.5 mg) + vitamin E (500 IU) + selenium (0.3 mg), respectively. Ambient air temperature and humidity were measured for calculation of THI. Blood samples were collected fortnightly and the rectal temperature (RT), respiration rate (RR) and pulse rate (PR) of all the experimental animals were recorded twice daily to study the biochemical and physiological parameters. Result: Supplementation of chromium along with vitamin E and selenium decreased significantly (P<0.05) the cortisol levels and increased the albumin concentration. Chromium supplemented groups (T2 and T3) showed greater (P<0.05) increase in mean total protein concentration. A significant reduction in RT was observed in all the supplemented groups compared to control. Whereas, the PR and RR differed significantly in T3 group compared to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To know the production and reproductive performance of Nellore brown lambs under three systems i.e. intensive, semiintensive and extensive system of rearing and which system of rearing was beneficial for the farmer community in terms of cost economics. Methods: 36 Nellore brown lambs of 3 months age from Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Warangal district were randomly allotted to three rearing systems i.e. Intensive (G1), Semi-intensive (G2) and Extensive (G3) system of each 12 animals. The body weight and ADG of lambs in the three systems were recorded fortnightly and calculated the cost economics. The reproductive parameters of ewe lambs were recorded. Result: From 3-9 months age, the mean gain in body weight (kg) in the G1 group was significantly (P<0.01) higher followed by G2 (10.95±0.18) and G3 (9.33±0.09) groups. The mean ADG (gm) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in G1 group (75.14±1.56) than G2 (60.83±1.02) and G3 (51.81±0.47) groups. Significant (P<0.05) difference was observed in the mean age at puberty of ewe lambs in the three groups. The mean age at first service was lowest in G1 (329.50±6.99) followed by G2 (360.17±6.56) and G3 (385.17±5.60) groups. The net income (Rs.) obtained from each lamb was 1870.8, 1406.7 and 1217.3, respectively in G1, G2 and G3 groups. The cost per kilogram live weight gain was higher in the G1 group followed by G2 and G3 group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]