"Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A — Animal Science"

Kumar, Ishmeet; Mukherjee, Anupama; Gowane, G. R.; Kamboj, M. L.; Malhotra, Ravinder Kumar; Mukherjee, Sabyasachi

2024 "Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A — Animal Science"

doi: 10.1080/09064702.2024.2442974

Karan Fries (KF) cattle is India's newly developed dairy breed with high production potential. The present study was undertaken to evaluate 17 linear-type traits, behavioural and functional traits for estimating the genetic parameters and to find their association with production performance in KF cattle using a multi-trait Bayesian animal model. Among linear-type traits, stature, chest girth, body length and body depth had a high positive genetic and phenotypic correlation (ranging from 0.30 ± 0.01 to 0.74 ± 0.03) with production traits (total milk yield and 305 days milk yield). The majority of the linear-type traits, milking temperament and milking speed were moderately heritable (ranging from 0.25 ± 0.04 to 0.40 ± 0.03), while days open had low heritability (0.20 ± 0.25). This study showed the importance of reliable assessment of genetic parameters and incorporation of a few linear-type traits having high heritability and genetic correlation with production traits, can be utilized for future selection and breeding programmes in KF cattle.

Staaf Larsson, B.; Dahlborn, K.; Jansson, A.

2024 Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A – Animal Science

doi: 10.1080/09064702.2024.2435339

Routines for assessing body temperature and thermal comfort are not included in official animal welfare controls although European legislation consider it important. This study investigated time consumption and feasibility of using handheld skin temperature sensors in a dairy farm and the correlation of the recordings with indoor and rectal temperature. Skin temperatures in 21 dairy cows of two breeds were recorded monthly during one year at the neck, hip and vulva, using two techniques (infrared radiation (IR) and conduction). Rectal and indoor ambient temperature were recorded on the same occasion. Time spent recording temperature was ∼2 s/cow with IR and >1 min/cow with conduction technique. Skin temperatures did not correlate well with rectal temperature but correlated strongly with indoor temperature. Neck temperature recorded by IR best reflected indoor temperature, with no difference between breeds, and could be a tool for quick monitoring of ambient conditions in individual cows.