Understanding Livestock Systems and their Effect on Reproductive Performance of Achai and Jersey Crossbred Cows in Northern Hindukush Mountainous Ranges | [Pakistan Journal of Zoology • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Zia ur Rehman Khalil: Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University,Sheringal, Dir (U),Pakistan

2. Abdur Rehman: Department of Livestock Management, Breeding and Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

3. Ziaul Islam: Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University,Sheringal, Dir (U),Pakistan

4. Muhammad Shuaib: Arid Zone Small Ruminants Research Institute,Ghulam Banda, Kohat, Pakistan

5. Adil Hussain: Department of Livestock Management, Breeding and Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

6. Muhammad Saleem: Directorate General (Extension) Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Peshawar, Pakistan

7. Kalim Ullah: Livestock Research and Development Station Dir (Lower),,Pakistan

8. Shakoor Ahmad: College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture,Peshawar,Pakistan

9. Abdul Ghafar: Department of Livestock Management, Breeding and Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract:

A detailed survey was conducted to study the adopted farming practices and their effect on the reproductive performance of dairy cows to find out possible aspects of enhancing livestock profitability in high altitudes. For this purpose, 720 livestock households containing pure Mountainous Achai and its crossbreds with Jersey cattle and two state farms were investigated for management, nutrition, breeding practices, and reproductive performances i.e. Postpartum anoestrus interval (PPAI), open period (OP), services per conception (SC), and calving interval (CI) were recorded through a structured questionnaire and physical observations. Age and body condition of animals were considered as dependent variables with the main effect of farming systems and data was analyzed within each and across different farming systems. Results revealed that animals in households that modified their management, nutrition, and breeding approaches (rural progressive farming systems) had significantly improved their reproductive performance than animals in traditional practices. The study also revealed that crossbreeding significantly improved the reproductive performance of the mountainous Achai breed on either management practices. It was also observed that good condition adult (5 to 6 years age) cows of both breeds had shorter intervals (OP, CI, PPAI) and required fewer inseminations for a successful conception in traditional and progressive farming practices. However, it was noticed that introducing Achai cows to intensive farm management as in state farms, deteriorated their reproductive potentials revealing its nomadic nature well adapted to free mountainous ranges. Results from this study indicate that the reproductive performance of local Achai could be further improved through a very systematic and scientific approach to crossbreeding and improved management practices.

Page(s): 1421-1434

DOI: 10.17582/journal.pjz/20230307100354

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Zoology, Volume: 57, Issue: 3, Year: 2025

Keywords:

traits , nongenetic factors , Breeding , farming systems , Achai cow

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