Effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on milk production performance of Holstein-Friesian×Local crossbreds at the villages of Noakhali district in Bangladesh

A total of 210 Holstein Friesian (HF) × Local crossbred cattle were examined to collect data like, test day milk production (MT), peak milk production (PM), lactation period (LD), green grass used the day before test milk production (GG), cost involved to feed the cow with concentrate feed on the day before test milk production (CP), age, body weight of cows (BW) and ancestry of test cows to define the grade. The data were collected using a pre-structured questionnaire at the villages of Noakhali district in Bangladesh during October to November 2016.The effect of grades, age, body weight, concentrate feed and green grass on milk production were evaluated. To study the effects, Duncans Multiple Range Test and Pearsons correlation coefficient were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Positive correlation of MT with CP (0.794) and GG (0.453) were estimated. Ages of cows did not affect MT, PM and LD significantly. In grade two, the highest, MT (18.75±2.62 liter/cow/day) and PM (20.75±2.62 liter/cow/day) were reported for body weight group 3 while, the longest LD (219.88±0.47) was reported under body weight group 2. However, under grade three in body weight group 3, MT, PM and LD were 15.57±0.78 liter/cow/day, 18.00±0.78 liter/cow/day and 218.79±0.80 days/cow, respectively. Present study might be suggested that body weight group 3 under grade three was better for MT and PM while, body weight group 2 was better for LD but to come up with final decisions in this regard, further study addressing more numbers of crossbred cows with defined exotic blood percentages under different grades, seasons of calving, parity, feed and water management, housing, healthcare and farmers socioeconomic status would be advisable. Finally, it might be indicated that grades, bodyweight groups, CP and GG affected milk production at the villages of Noakhali district in Bangladesh. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.4(1): 21-28, April 2017