Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of challenge feeding on reproduction performance and periparturient health of Sahiwal cattle in the arid region of Rajasthan                                                  

V. Singh¹, A.K. Jhirwal¹, S.C. Goswami¹, P. Choudhary² and V.K. Choudhary¹   

¹Department of Livestock production and management, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner-334 001, India

²Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner-334 001, India

*Corresponding Author Email : dr.arunjhirwal@gmail.com

Received: 13.06.2020                                                                   Revised: 15.11.2020                                                    Accepted: 15.12.2020

Abstract

Aim: The focus of present study was to find out the effect of ‘challenge feeding’ on reproduction performance and periparturient health of Sahiwal cattle in arid region of Rajasthan.

Methodology: The present study was conducted on eighteen healthy, advance pregnant Sahiwal cattle from 60 days prepartum to 120 days postpartum. The animals were divided into two groups i.e., control and treatment on the basis of milk yield, parity and body weight. The animals in control group were given standard ration while in challenge fed (treatment) group, the animals were given additional amount of concentrate mixture.

Results: The cows of treatment group (51.25 ± 0.37 days) showed first post-partum oestrus significantly earlier than the cows of control group (61.38 ± 0.32 days) (P<0.05) and the treatment group resulted in significantly higher conception rate (88.89%) as compared to animals of control group (55.56%). The difference in incidence of periparturient health problems between control and treatment group were not significant.      

Interpretation: Implementation of challenge feeding in Sahiwal cattle improved the reproduction performance without affecting their periparturient health problems.      

Key words: Arid region, Challenge feeding, Periparturient, Reproduction, Sahiwal cattle

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