Genetic studies on components of production and reproduction traits in Deoni cattle

Data on 114 Deoni cows maintained at Cattle Cross Breeding Project, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during 1981–2010 were analyzed. Heritability estimates for lactation milk yield, peak milk yield, days to reach peak milk yield, lactation period, dry period, age at first calving, service period, gestation period and inter calving period were 0.206 ± 0.014, 0.271 ±0.049, 0.242±0.037,0.176 ± 0.052, 0.314±0.213, 0.220±0.071,0.259 ± 0.044,0.199 ± 0.080 and 0.190 ± 0.058, respectively. All traits showed low to medium heritability, except dry period. Age at first calving was positive and significantly correlated with lactation period and gestation period, while negative and significant with days to reach peak milk yield and inter calving period. Thus higher age at first calving may lead to decrease in lactation traits. which are not beneficial for selection, since animals selected on the basis of early maturity will lead to short inter calving period.