REPRODUCTION AND PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF THREE-BREEDS CROSSES IN CATTLE*

The reproduction and production performance of three-breeds crosses of Holstein Friesian (F), Jersey (J) and Hariana (H) breeds of cattle (1/2F 1/4J 1/4H) maintained during 1976 to 1996 at Indian Veterinary Research Institute Izatnagar was studied. The mean age at first fertile service (AFFS) and age at first calving (AFC) were 772.07±25.12 and 1053.59±24.86 days respectively and both these traits showed significant (P < 0.01) effect of periods of study. The first service period (FSP) averaged to 166.61±11.11 days and showed significant effect of seasons and periods. The first lactation length (FLL) averaged to 317.72±6.87 days and showed significant (P < 0.01) effect of periods. The first dry period (FDP) averaged to 127.98±12.70 days did not show any effect of generations, seasons and periods of study. The first lactation milk yield (FLMY) and first standard lactation milk yield (FSLMY) averaged to 1851.69±114.70 and 1741.78±96.13 kg respectively. The present investigations revealed that parent crosses of Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Hariana breeds had significantly higher first standard lactation milk yield than inter-se crosses of cattle. The cold environment of winter season had significant effect in improving first service period of crossbred cows in three-breeds crosses.