The study was conducted to estimate the genetic and phenotypic correlations among body measurements, body weight, kidding interval, kidding rate and milk yield in the different breeds of goat. Data was collected on 95 goats of three breeds (Jamunapari, Black Bengal and their crosses (Jamunapari×Black Bengal) through direct observation. The average body weight of Jamunapari goat was 34.75 ± 3.33 kg higher than Black Bengal (27.54 ± 5.332 kg) goats. It was observed that Jamunapari goat (0.65 ± 0.187 L/day) produces higher daily milk during lactation length than Black Bengal (0.50±0.094 L/day), leading to higher lactation milk production of this goat. The kidding rate and kidding interval were 1.33 ± 0.466 and 223.27 ± 11.19 days in Jamunapari, 1.475 ± 0.555 and 247.94 ± 17.23 days in crossbred, 1.75 and 160.83 ± 16.57 days in Black Bengal goats, respectively. The heritability estimates of body weight, milk yield and lactation milk yield were 0.29 to 0.32, 0.25 to 0.20 and 0.30 to 0.32 for all breeds of goat. The genetic correlation (rg) and phenotypic correlation (rp) of body weight were positive with all traits except the rg with lactation yield. The body length had negative rp with lactation production and negative rg with daily milk yield and lactation production. The body height has negative rp with kidding rate, kidding interval, milk yield and lactation production and positive rg only with kidding interval in all breeds. The high and positive correlations (either genetic or phenotypic) are important predictors of traits for improvement. Hence, these can be valuable tools for making selection/culling decisions for improved productivity of goats. تفاصيل المقالة

This study was conducted to investigate the scenario of buffalo production and reproduction under different farming systems at Subarno Char, in the coastal area of Bangladesh. A total of 14 farms were randomly selected and studied for various traits live weight (LW); daily milk yield (DMY); lactation length (LL); lactation production (LP); calving interval (CI); gestation length (GL); post partum heat period (PPH); age at first calving (AFC) and service per conception (SPC) of buffaloes through pre designed questionnaire, direct observation and available records. The LW (372.31±14.64 kg) and DMY (1.99±0.16 liter/day/cow) were found to be highest under semi-intensive bathan farming systems than other systems, however, the LL (275.25±2.857 days) and LP (628.80±34.49 liter) were found higher under extensive bathan farming system irrespective of breeds. On the other hand, LW (390.54±14.06 kg), DMY (2.82±0.13 liter/day/cow), LL (284.96±3.31 days) and LP (899.75±52.83 liter) were higher in River type buffaloes than other types. The GL (305.37±0.72 days), CI (640.34±51.31 days), AFC (54.72±1.57 months) and SPC (1.62±0.21) were found lowest under semi-intensive bathan farming system, but PPHP (134.04±5.30 days) was found lowest under the extensive bathan farming system. The GL (301.74±0.63 days), PPHP (123.21±7.50 days), AFC (47.00±1.35 months) and SPC (1.40±0.16) were found lowest in River type buffaloes, but CI (660.31±43.82) was lowest in crossbred buffalo cows. The birth weight was highest (28.28±0.48 kg) under semi-intensive bathan farming system. Productive and reproductive performances of buffaloes under the study area found were moderate. The profitability of buffalo rearing under extensive farming system was higher than other. The findings of this study may assist farmers and policy makers in making decisions for future buffalo farming and undertaking the genetic improvement program to increase the milk production in Bangladesh. تفاصيل المقالة