Vishnu Sharma

Impact of udder and teat morphometry on udder health in Tharparkar cows under climatic condition of hot arid region of Thar Desert

Prevention of subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an important tool for sustainable dairying and implementing higher production level in animals. The present investigation involved a total of 397 quarters of milk examination of 105 indigenous Tharparkar cows at Livestock Research Centre, Chandan located in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan in Thar Desert to study the impact of udder and teat morphometry on udder health. Udder health was examined by somatic cell count to check the status of subclinical mastitis while udder and teat morphometry of 90 udder and 386 quarters, i.e., udder shape and depth, teat end shape, teat length, and teat diameter were examined at individual animal level and quarter level. Data were collected from the record register maintained at the farm and data evaluated by parity (no. of lactation) and stage of lactation. On analysis of variance, result revealed the significantly (P < 0.05) higher incidence of SCM was for pendulous shape udder in respect of regular udder, as well as for inverted and flat teat end shape in respect of pointed teat end shape. Large teat length and upper depth animals had significantly (P < 0.05) more incidence of SCM as compared to small and medium teat length and udder depth group, respectively. Thick teat diameter group animals were significantly (P < 0.01) more prone to infection as compared to medium and thin teat diameter group animals. So, it can be concluded that selection for optimum udder and teat morphometry in breeding program may help to reduce susceptibility for intramammary infections in Tharparkar cows. Microbiological study of milk samples could be helpful in the nearby future for identification of subclinical mastitis.

Feeding Behavior as Affected by Diverse Physical Forms of Complete Feed in Indigenous Gir Cattle of Semi-Arid Region of India

This study was aimed to assess the effect of diverse physical forms of complete feed on feed intake and feeding behavior in indigenous Gir cattle of semi-arid region of India. A feeding trial of 60 days duration was carried out on twelve lactating Gir cattle divided into 3 groups of 4 animals in a randomized block design. The animals were fed 3 iso-nitrogenous diets containing complete feed mash, complete feed pellet and complete feed block in groups CFM, CFP and CFB, respectively. Densification of complete diets increased the bulk density by 3.1–3.9 times. The effect of diverse physical forms of complete feed on feeding behavior showed significant differences (P<0.01) among treatment groups and CFP was found to be most effective for lowering eating time (min./d), rumination and total chewing time. An increase in the bulk density due to compaction resulted in increased (P<0.01) carrying capacity of truck by about four folds for CFP and three folds for CFB as compared to CFM form. The transportation cost per tonne of complete feed was lowest (P<0.01) for CFP and highest in CFM group. Results revealed that complete feeds in CFP and CFB forms were superior to CFM whereas CFP was superior to CFB.