In Kabul Bini Hisar Dairy farm
Productive data on 305 days lactation period for 49 Holstein dairy cows, which were collected during one month from dairy cattle in Beni Hisar Farm in Kabul province using recorded data from 1389 to 1392 years, were used to estimate the effect of calving month and season for the purpose of estimating the correlation between milk yield, fat production and fat percentage of the Holstein dairy cows. General linear model (GLM) procedure and SPSS software were used for the estimation of the effect calving month and seasons. The results showed calving month influenced significantly on productive traits (P < 0.05). The greatest milk and fat production (kg) were observed in dairy cows that calved in December. In addition, dairy cows that calved in October had the greatest fat percentage totally, the results showed, animals that calved in fall season had greater performance than the others. Naturally, milk production of these animals reached production peak in winter when the weather and nutritional conditions are suitable for production.
Keywords: Calving month; Calving season; Productive traits correlation
It should be pointed out that Faryadi, et al found that the phenotypic correlation between milk yield and milk fat and protein amounts and fat percentage is 0.71, 0.92 and -0.17, respectively for Iranian Holstein cows [11]. Similarly, Rostami, et al reported that the phenotypic correlation between milk production and fat percentage is -0.46, milk yield and fat amount is 0.64 and fat amount and percentage is 0.3 for Sari province Holstein cows [12].
As, Holstein cattle show different milk production both quantitatively and qualitatively in different areas, so it was decided to investigate the Holstein cattle performance in Kabul Bini Hisar dairy cattle farm.
The objectives of this study are to estimate the effect of calving month on production traits of Holstein cows, find the relationship between milk yield and calving month and determining the best month (season) of birth.
Without taking into consideration the age and body condition of the cows, management, raising and feeding conditions for all cows were the same but in the winter season all the cows were fed with concentrate (3-4 kg cotton cake+ silage and dried fodder) and in summer season the cows was taken into the pasture for grazing. It is mentionable that the research was carried out only for the effect of calving month on milk, and fat percentage of dairy cows but not includes the impact of lactation length. For data analysis GLM and SPSS soft and the following model is used:
Yijm= number of observations from traits,
μ= total average,
Mi= effect of delivery month (i= 1- 12),
Si= effect of birth season (j=- 4),
Yl= effect of calving year (l= 2010 - 2013), and Eijm= effect of other factors.
Phenotypic correlation and descriptive statistics estimations are performed by SPSS and EXCEL soft. Test of Duncan’s and ANOVA used to compare the averages.
Months |
Milk yield (Kg) |
Fat (%) |
Total fat (Kg) |
μ ± SD |
μ ± SD |
μ ± SD |
|
Hamal (April) |
12.5±2.66 |
4.08±1.07 |
145.91±42.87 |
Sawr (May) |
12.5±2.66 |
3.44±0.41 |
125.61±21.16 |
Jawza (June) |
13±2.34 |
3.6±0.35 |
136.44±11.03 |
Saratan (July) |
13±2.75 |
3.92±0.8 |
142±30.82 |
Asad (August) |
14±2.16 |
3.25±0.23 |
127.77±13.68 |
Sunbula (September) |
10±1.41 |
4.44±1.04 |
133.15±12.89 |
Meezan (October) |
11±2.82 |
3.9±0.56 |
134.05±53.66 |
Aqrab(November) |
16±0.89 |
3.08±0.21 |
140.83±41.03 |
Qaws (December) |
12.67±1.52 |
3.53±0.77 |
134.73±39.46 |
Jadi (January) |
14±0.00* |
4±0.00* |
165±0.00* |
Dalw (February) |
11.4±2.6 |
4.55±1.3 |
157±54.79 |
Hoot (March) |
13.67±2.3 |
3.21±0.52 |
128.5±1085 |
Seasons |
Milk yield (Kg) |
Fat (%) |
Total fat (Kg) |
μ ± SD |
μ ± SD |
μ ± SD |
|
Spring |
12.65±2.42 |
3.71±0.72 |
135.95±28.67 |
Summer |
12.83±2.62 |
3.70±0.77 |
135.80±23.32 |
Autumn |
14.18±2.52 |
3.35±0.53 |
137.93±38.11 |
Winter |
12.44±2.5 |
4.04±1.13 |
148.38±41.95 |
All year |
13±2.51 |
3.71±0.8 |
138.65±31.89 |
Year |
Milk yield (Kg) |
Fat (%) |
Total fat (Kg) |
μ ± SD |
μ ± SD |
μ ± SD |
|
1389 (2010) |
14±1.41 |
3.57±0.75 |
15105±16.89 |
1390 (2011) |
10.71±1.79 |
3.89±0.79 |
128.58±40.37 |
1391 (2012) |
11±1.51 |
4.49±1.03 |
150.48±42.36 |
1392 (2013) |
12.59±2.37 |
3.77±0.7 |
142.63±36.84 |
1393 (2014) |
15.47±0.91 |
3.15±0.25 |
130.87±9.06 |
Values |
Milk production (kg) |
Fat (%) |
Total fat (Kg) |
Milk yield |
1 |
-0.46 |
0.195 |
Fat percentage |
-0.46 |
1 |
0.669 |
Total fat |
0.195 |
0.699 |
1 |
In this investigation, 49 Holstein cows studied to evaluate the quality and quantity of milk produced in different months and season of the year. In general, milk yield and it’s traits were significantly different from each other, but all cows should best performance in the calving month of Aqrab (November) and winter season. It can be pointed out that knowing the favorable month and season for milk production, the amount of quality milk will be increased.
Barash, et al reported that the milk productivity in Holstein cows was the best in Aqrab and Qaws (November and October) that is in agreement with the results of this study. In a study, Mostert, et el found that best calving month for Holstein cows in South Africa is Jawza and Saratan (June and July), as this country located in Southern Hemisphere, so theses months fall in the late autumn and early winter, which confirm the results of this investigation [16,17]. In a comprehensive study in four parts of the United States by Norman, et al it was reported that the best months of birth in the four regions are November and December [18]. Rostami , et al reported that the best milk and fat production occurred for cows that had calved in the winter and the best fat percentage for cows that had calved in the summer, that is in agreement with the present outcomes also reported [12]. Dadar, et al reported that the Holstein breed of cattle, milk production is the highest for those cows freshened in fall and winter, which is similar with the results of this study [19].
Fat percentage for Iranian Holstein cows is 0.71, 0.92 and – 0.17, respectively. Rostami, et al found that phenotypic correlation between milk yield and fat percentage for Holstein cows in Sari province was – 0.46, between milk and fat amounts 0.64, and between fat amount and percentage is 0.3. Pahlawan, et al reported that phenotypic correlation between milk and fat production and fat percentage is 0.73 and – 0.42, respectively [12,20]. These results confirmed by the results of the present research.
In general, for the purpose of production and breed improvement strategies in Afghanistan, it should be found by studies and scientific surveys that when all cattle in Afghanistan produce highest amount of milk and milk fat, in order to be able to synchronize the mating, breeding and delivery time At one and the same time it should be understood that under different climatic- geographic conditions of all provinces of the country, when feed production is high and suitable. Proper management programs are also great of need.
For effective realization of the above mentioned points, there is need for enough investment by the government, using international supports and experiences, using all national resources, strengthening and enriching Universities, having enough professional cadres, planning and programming at national level.
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