Factors influencing calf mortality in zebu and crossbred cattle reared under subtropical agroclimatic conditions

A SAKTHIVEL SELVAN; M S TANTIA; D RAVI KUMAR; T KARUTHADURAI; ARPAN UPADHYAY; S S LATHWAL; A KUMARESAN

doi:10.56093/ijans.v89i3.88088

Authors

A SAKTHIVEL SELVAN Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
M S TANTIA Principal Scientist, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana
D RAVI KUMAR PhD Scholar, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India
T KARUTHADURAI PhD Scholar, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India
ARPAN UPADHYAY Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
S S LATHWAL Principal Scientist, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India
A KUMARESAN Principal Scientist, Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Adugodi, Bengaluru

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v89i3.88088

Keywords:

Birth weight, Calf mortality, Crossbred, Non-genetic factors, Season, Zebu cattle

Abstract

Data on birth weight and mortality pattern of Zebu (Sahiwal and Tharparkar) and Crossbred (Holstein Friesian Ã— Tharparkar) cattle spread over 16 years were utilized to analyze the causes of calf mortality and to study the effect of non-genetic factors on calf mortality. Calf mortality was higher in crossbred (27.7%) compared to either Sahiwal (20.7%) or Tharparkar cattle (11.9%). Age group wise analysis revealed maximum mortality within one month age in Zebu cattle, and during 1â€“3 months age in crossbred cattle. Mortality was higher in calves born during winter, summer and rainy seasons in Sahiwal, crossbred and Tharparkar, respectively. Mortality was higher among male calves compared to female calves. Significantly higher proportion of Sahiwal calves died due to respiratory problems, while general debility was the major reason for calf mortality in crossbred and Tharparkar cattle. Season of birth had highly significant influence within one month age in Sahiwal and crossbred cattle. Influence of all the non genetic factors on calf mortality at various age groups was found to be non significant in Tharparkar cattle. It is inferred that calf mortality was higher in crossbred compared to Zebu cattle and the effect of season of birth and birth weight had a significant effect on calf mortality during first three months age. Among the several causes, respiratory problem was a significant reason for the calf mortality.

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