Performance evaluation of composite Vrindavani cattle in field conditions of Uttar Pradesh

The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of Vrindavani crossbred cattle under field conditions of Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted in six tehsils of the Bareilly district, involving interviews with 201 respondents and covering a total of 554 animals. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview schedule. A one-way ANOVA was performed to find the statistical differences between the tehsils in the Bareilly district. The average lactation milk yield, lactation length, average milk yield per day, peak yield, and dry period of Vrindavani crossbred cows under field conditions was 2996.54±32.99 kg, 348.80±1.98 days, 8.64±0.10 kg, 13.34±0.17 kg, and 117.51±2.76 days, respectively. The age at puberty, age at first service, age at first calving, service period, number of services per conception, and calving interval averaged 611.36±9.71 days, 678.94±5.46 days, 1010.71±7.25 days, 171.90±2.63 days, 2.39±0.07, and 465.71±3.01 days, respectively. The average birth weight, and weight at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months for Vrindavani crossbred calves were 21.17±0.07 kg, 45.76±0.25 kg, 80.79±0.44 kg, and 128.03±1.12 kg, respectively. The performance of Vrindavani crossbred cows was comparatively better than other crossbred cattle populations under field conditions. However, their performance in the field was lower as compared to organized farms. To improve the productivity of Vrindavani crossbreds further, a proper breeding policy should be implemented at the field level to ensure the propagation of Vrindavani crossbred semen. Additionally, improvements in non-genetic factors are necessary to achieve higher productivity.