Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
DB Bhinsara, PD Verma, JB Solanki, Niranjan Kumar, MV Tiwari, DF Chaudhri, VK Poshiya, DC Patel and NV Chaudhari

Abstract:
A hill cattle population locally known as Dagri reared by tribals from eastern border districts of Gujarat adjoining to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, mainly Dagri is found in mountainous regions, hilly terrains. The breeding tract of Dagri includes Panch Mahals, Dahod, Narmada, Chhotaudepur and Mahisagar districts of Gujarat. This was investigated for study the profile of rearing practices followed by tribal farmers of Dagri cow according to Age, Education, Total No. of Animal and Size of land holding of animal owner. The level of knowledge of Dagri cow owners about distinguish phenotypical characteristics of Dagari cow carried out following parameter: Hair Length, coat colour, skin clour, colour of muzzle, colour of hoof, tail twitch, horn shape, size of udder, size of teat and size of milk vain etc. Production traits include Frequency of Milking per day, Milk Production per day, Milk Yield per Lactation and Lactation length. Reproductive Traits include Age at Sexual maturity in Male/female, Age of First Calving, Service period and Calving Interval etc. The study carried out purpose of rearing, used of milk production and other utility of Dagri cow by Dagri cow owners, The survey of carried out rearing and management practices adopted by Dagri cow owners investigated by type of breeding, Grazing Practices, Stall feeding, Housing, Prophylaxis, disease control and Mortality at door step visit of animal owner. Dagri animals possessed predominantly white coat colour (90.66%). Muzzle colour was mainly black (77.66), curved horn and tail switch were mainly black, while hoof colour was mainly black colour. The udder small sized with round tipped cylindrical teats and with no prominent milk vein. Reproduction traits, viz. Age at Sexual maturity and age at first calving more than 5 year, Service period more than 6 months and Calving Interval between 1 to 2 year of majority of Dagri cow owner responded. In females, Production traits, viz. daily milk yield, lactation length and lactation milk yield were 0.5 to 2 lit, 200 to 300 days and less than 400 lit. respectively. These data were derived from farmers’ personal interview at their doorstep.