Crossbred cattle have high metabolic rate than Indigenous cattle. Indigenous cattle are more resistant to diseases and better adapted to tropical environment as compared to crossbred cows.
Low milk production in Indigenous cattle is due to their low genetic potential and poor nutrition and inferior farm management practices. However, milk production can be increased by providing nutritional supplements, galactogogues, and better management practices.
Milk of Indigenous cattle has more favorable nutrient profile. Their milk has low saturated fatty acids (SFA), and higher concentrations of both monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Their milk is rich in minerals (Zn, Fe, P and Cu) and vitamins. Indian Desi cows produce A2 milk having high nutritional content and incredible health benefits than A1 milk. A2 milk contains A2 beta casein, high levels of omega 3 that helps in cleaning cholesterol deposits in blood vessels, increases immunity and have anticancer properties.
With continuous use of exogenous injection of oxytocin, endogenous production of oxytocin is inhibited and animal does not respond to milk let down reflex whenever deprived of exogenous injection of oxytocin. So, continuous use of oxytocin injection should be avoided.
The main reason is due to heat stress and lack of green fodder availability. Farmers are advised to reduce stress by keeping animals in shady areas especially under trees, providing fans/coolers and clean drinking water facilities in the shed. Provision of green fodder (Hay/silage can be used as an alternative in summer months) and allowing the animals for wallowing in ponds especially to buffaloes are also helpful to reduce the effect of summer stress.
Protected protein feeding to lactating animals leads to proportionate increase in the supply of amino acids to the host ruminant for productive/ reproductive purpose, with an overall increase in the efficiency of protein and energy utilization.
Diabetes mellitus has been reported in cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, and bison; it is relatively uncommon in cattle.
A minimum of six weeks – preferably eight weeks – is recommended between drying off and calving. The dry period is a critical period to prevent new environmental infections. For some farms, this will be the greatest risk for new mastitis infections that then present during lactation.
The stress response cause several changes that may have negative effects on the performance of farm animals. These effects include changes in the immune function and increased susceptibility to disease, decreased feed intake and rumination, inhibition of oxytocin release, and reduced fertility.
Zinc, selenium, copper, cobalt and manganese do appear to have important roles in reproductive performance. Adequate amounts of zinc are important for testicular development in young bulls and appear to be important for proper ovarian function in cows and heifers.
