Effect of Non-genetic Factors on Milk Production Traits of Pure Jersey Dairy Cattle in Central Highland Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of non-genetic factors on Milk production traits of pure Jersey dairy cattle semi-intensively managed at on station. A total of 2912 records from pure Jersey dairy cattle were collected from 1986 to 2019 and analysed by (SAS, version 9.0). The overall least squares mean (LSM±SE) for lactation milk yield (LMY), daily milk yield (DMY) and lactation length (LL) were 2166.10±26.71 Litres, 6.37±0.05 Litres and 344.89±3.81 days, respectively. Lactation milk yield (LMY), daily milk yield (DMY) and lactation length (LL) were influenced by non-genetic factors such as animal group, year and parity. But, milk production traits were not affected by calving season. Knowledge on the effect of these non-genetic factors on milk production traits would help in making management decisions for improvement of the herds.

Keywords: Milk, non-genetic factors, pure Jersey cows

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/103-02

Publication date: December 31^st 2020