Productive and reproductive performance of Tharparkar cattle in hot arid region

Abstract

Animal husbandry is the main occupation of arid zone farmers. This region is endowed with the best milch breeds or cattle. Tharparkar is one of the well known milch breeds of cattle of Thar region. Tharparkar cattle are very well adapted to desert vagaries due to their capacity to thrive on poor quality forage and local non-conventional feed (Mathur et al. 1989). Black pigmented skin with white coat is an ideal combination for rendering an animal aqaptive to intensive heat radiation of the arid zone. However, seasonal variations in solar radiation, environment temperature, relative humidity precipitation and the consequent differences in quality and quantity of forage available to the livestock, influence the animal productivity. The management variations and physiological maturity of the animal are also some of the important factors, which ultimately affect the productivity of the animal. The main aim of the present investigation was to analyse the effect of season and period of calving and parity on productive and reproductive performance of Tharparkar cattle in hot arid region.