Breed, geography and management influences on calving interval in cows and buffaloes in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

This study evaluates calving interval patterns in dairy cattle and buffaloes across Uttarakhand using ANOVA and descriptive statistics. Data from 1,798 animals was analysed by breed, geography, household head gender and lactation number. Non-Descript (ND) Buffaloes showed the longest Calving Interval (CI) of 553 days, while Jersey cross bred cows had the shortest CI of 508 days. Statistically analysed field data was used, and results were expressed as mean ± standard error. Breed-wise differences in calving interval were found to be significant, while area-wise differences were non-significant. The study highlights the importance of genetic and managerial interventions to improve reproductive efficiency in dairy animals. Hilly regions exhibited longer intervals than plains. These findings align with recent studies on reproductive performance in Indian dairy systems and importance of genetic and managerial interventions to improve reproductive efficiency in dairy animals.