Projection of lactation milk yield from part records in crossbred dairy cows.

ABSTRACT

First lactation records of a total of 242 Jersey (JH), Brown Swiss (BH) and Holstein-Friesian (FH) halfbreeds from Hariana cows were studied for projecting 300 d milk yield from 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 weeks' milk yield. The correlation coefficients between 300 d milk yield and part records ranged from 0.84 to 0.9 in the JH, 0.80 to 0.90 in the BH and 0.72 to 0.86 in the FH groups. Prediction equations and standard errors of estimation for prediction of 300 d milk yield for an individual animal are presented. It is suggested that part records up to 16, 22 and 22 weeks may be used for projecting 300 d yield with sufficient accuracy in the JH, BH and FH groups respectively.