Pakistan Vet. J., 2008, 28(2): 84-88.

STUDY OF SOME PERFORMANCE TRAITS IN SAHIWAL COWS DURING

DIFFERENT PERIODS
A. H. ZAFAR, M. AHMAD1 AND S. U. REHMAN
Livestock Production Research Institute, Bahadurngar, Okara;
1
Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki, District Kasur, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
Data on some production performance traits of Sahiwal cows maintained at the Livestock Experiment
Station, Bahadurnagar, Okara, Pakistan during three different periods i.e. period-1 (1973-1982), period-2
(1983-1992) and period-3 (1993-2002) were compared. Each period was spread over 10 years duration.
The data set included 1895, 2123 and 1679 lactation records for the three periods, respectively. Five
performance traits viz lactation milk yield, lactation length, dry period, service period and calving interval
were included in the analysis. The least squares means for lactation milk yield for the periods 1, 2 and 3
were 1429 21.27, 1632 17.95 and 1527 19.34 kg, respectively. The corresponding values for lactation
length were 258 2.51, 256 2.13 and 267 2.29 days, respectively. The means for dry period, service
period and calving interval were 172 3.70, 156 4.03 and 437 3.74 days, respectively in the period-1,
161 3.19, 139 3.45 and 420 3.23 days, respectively for period-2. and 158 3.55, 152 3.86 and 429
3.60 days, respectively for period-3. The analysis of variance showed that period of calving showed
significant variation (P<0.01) for all the productive and reproductive traits, while season of calving had
significant effect on lactation milk yield and lactation length. The lactation number (parity) had significant
effect on all traits except lactation length, which showed non-significant variation among parities.
Key words: Sahiwal cows, lactation milk yield, dry period, service period, calving interval.
INTRODUCTION

lactation length records (5697), dry period (4435),

calving interval (4461) and service period (4411). The
lactations affected by disease or resulting from premature death were excluded from the study. The
lactations of 60 days or longer duration were included
in the analysis. Edits were also made for any out lier
values 3 phenotypic standard deviations. A total
number of 175 records (<3%) were dropped from the
analysis. The data were grouped into three periods with
each period spread over 10 years duration; Period-1
consisted of 1973-82, period-2 consisted of 1983-92
and period-3 comprised of 1993-2002. The year was
divided into five seasons (Rehman et el., 2006)
depending on the climatic condition i.e. winter
(December to February), spring (March to April), hot
dry (May to June), hot humid (July to September) and
autumn (October to November). The mathematical
model assumed was as follow:
Yijkl = + Yi + Sj + Pk +ijkl where,
Yijkl = Observation of any trait
= Population mean
Yi = Effect of ith period of calving (where i = 1, 2, 3).
Sj = Effect of jth season of calving (where j = 1, 2, 3, 4,
5).
Pk = Effect of kth lactation number (where k = 1, 2,
3..10).
ijkl = Remainder

Lactation milk yield is the most important trait of a

dairy animal. Higher milk yield increases the
profitability and decreases the rearing cost of dairy
animals. The Sahiwal breed is well known among Zebu
cattle for its superior dairy qualities. It has been
exported to many countries (Maule, 1990) for both
cross and pure breeding purposes. There is also a dire
need to conserve Sahiwal breed due to a decreasing
trend of purebred population in Pakistan (Dahlin,
1998).
Present investigation was made to study some
performance traits of Sahiwal cows kept at the
Livestock Experiment Station (LES) Bahadurnagar,
Okara, Pakistan during three different periods (period1: 1973-1982, period-2: 1983-1992 and period-3: 19932002).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data of 5697 lactation records on 1565 Sahiwal
cows maintained at the Livestock Experiment Station
(LES), Bahadurnagar (Okara), Pakistan during 1973 to
2002 were used in this study. Data were analyzed by
least square analysis of variance techniques, using the
Statistical Analysis System computer programme. The
performance traits included lactation milk yield and

84

85
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Lactation milk yield
The population least squares mean for lactation
milk yield over the period of 30 years was 1537 9.03
kg for 5697 records of Sahiwal cows kept at LES
Bahadurnagar (Table1). Higher estimates (1617 35.09
kg) were reported by Rehman et al. (2006) for the data
on Sahiwal cattle from LES Bahadunagar, Okara. The
least squares mean for lactation milk yield was highest
during 1983-92 and lowest during 1973-82. The
difference was significant (P<0.01). The variation in
lactation milk yield observed in different periods
indicates the level of management as well as
environmental effects. The level of management varies
according to the ability of the Farm Manager, his
efficiency in the supervision of the staff, system of crop
husbandry, method and intensity of culling. The high
milk yield during the period 1983-92 in the herd may be
due to good nutrition and other managemental practices
during this period.
Season of calving and lactation number (parity)
also showed significant variation for the said trait.
Shafiq et al. (1995) also made similar observations in
Sahiwal cows. The cows calved in winter season had
the highest milk yield (1661 19.20 kg) and those
calved in hot humid season had the lowest milk yield
(1418 23.87). These results are partially in agreement
with the study reported by Javed et al. (2000) and
Rehman et el. (2006). The observed variation in
lactation milk yield in cows calving during different
seasons could be due to the seasonal influences as well
as the type of feed, temperature, humidity and
management which varies greatly during different
seasons.
Milk yield was lowest for the first lactation and
highest for the sixth lactation, the difference was
significant (Table 1). Many studies have found
significant effect of parity (lactation number) on
production, especially difference between first and later
parities. This indicates that cows starting lactation at
early age are not fully mature and their mammary
glands are not fully functional and give less lactation
yield compared to the cows which are in the 3rd , 4th, 5th
or 6th lactation and are fully mature. The reduction in
the lactation milk yield in later lactations (parities) can
also be due to some other biological reasons.
The average milk yield in this study was lower than
some earlier studies on Sahiwal cattle in Pakistan.
Ahmad (1993) used data from Livestock Experiment
Station, Bahadurnagar Okara from 1966 to 1991 and
reported the average milk yield of 1692 484 kg. In his
study, lactations of 180-308 days durations were used.
Iqbal (1996) reported a higher average of 1971 473
kg for this station when lactations were of 308 days in
length. However, Dahlin et al. (1998) published lower
average yield of 1477 kg for an average lactation length
of 256 days for 11 institutional herds in Pakistan

Pakistan Vet. J., 2008, 28(2): 84-88.

including the LES, Bahadurnagar. Only first three
lactations were used in their study and there was no
minimum for the lactation length to be indicated. The
variation in these estimates may be due to size of data
set, location, method of analysis used and difference in
managemental practices at different farms and time
periods.
Lactation length
The population least squares mean for lactation
length was 262 1.04 days for 5697 records of Sahiwal
cows (Table 1). Higher lactation length was observed in
the cows calved during period 3 compared to those
calved during period 1 and period 2, the difference in
lactation length between the latter two periods was non
significant (Table 1). The cows calved in hot dry season
had the longest lactation (268 3.12 days), while the
cows calved in hot humid season had the shortest
lactation length (254 2.83 days). Further analysis
showed that the lactation length did not differ among
cows calving in winter, spring, hot humid and autumn
seasons (Table 1). Lactation number (parity) showed
non-significant variation for the said trait, although the
value was maximum in the 5th lactation and minimum
in 10th lactation. These results are partially in agreement
with the results reported by Rehman et al. (2006).
Dahlin et al. (1998) reported average lactation
length of 256 days for large data set on Sahiwal cattle
in Pakistan, while Ahmad (1999) indicated an average
lactation length of 281 55 days in Sahiwal cattle for
the data set of 1968-94. The study also showed that
year/period and season of calving had significant effect
on lactation length. A report of Javed (1999) for
Sahiwal cattle at LES Jehangirabad indicated an
average lactation length of 267 63 days. Furthermore,
the year/period, season of calving and parity had
significant effects on the trait. So keeping in view the
cattle standard, lactation length is much lower than
breeds like Friesian. Syrstad (1993) has reported that
generally the lactation length is much smaller in Zebu
cattle than Taurines.
Although the milk yield increased with the increase
of lactation length, yet it did not seem advantageous to
have lactation length, exceeding 10 months. The daily
milk yield in the later stages of lactation becomes low
and hence affects the life time productivity. Moreover,
longer lactation length prolongs the calving interval and
decreases the number of calves that could be obtained
during the life span of a cow. Thus, attempts should be
made to select cows on the basis of regularity in
breeding so that they drop calves every year with a
lactation period of about 10 months.
Dry period
The population least squares mean for dry period
was 172 1.44 days for 4435 records of Sahiwal cows
(Table1). The dry period was longer during the first
period of study compared to 2nd and 3rd periods, the

86
difference between latter two periods was nonsignificant (Table 1). Higher mean value of dry period
(221.68 5.20 days) was reported by Javed et al.
(2000) for the 1st lactation in Sahiwal cattle. The least
squares mean for dry period was 273 17.84 days for
the Sahiwal cows kept by Patadars, while it was 155
16.41 days for the cows kept at Livestock Experiment
Station Bahadurnagar, Okara (Rehman et al., 2006).
The cows calved in spring season had the longest dry
period (167 3.96 days), while the cows calved in hot
humid season had the shortest dry period (161 4.17
days). Similarly the longest mean dry period was
observed in the first lactation (199 2.76 days), while
the shortest (150 15.25 days) was noted in the 9th
lactation. Analysis of variance (Table 2) showed that
period of calving and lactation number (parity) had
highly significant (P<0.01) effect on the dry period,
while season of calving showed non-significant
variation for this trait.
It is generally believed that milk yield is affected
by the preceding dry period. Considering the biological
limits and economics of the operation involved, many
workers in tropical and sub-tropical regions have set a
range of 40-60 days as an optimum dry period for the
perspective of cow's health and farmers profit. Dry
periods of Sahiwal cattle were above this optimum
level. A considerable reduction was achieved
(Mahadevan, 1955) in the dry periods of Zebu cattle
through improved management practices in Sri Lanka.
This also indicates that length of dry period is largely
influenced by environment. Khan (1985) pointed out
that some managers of the farm are inclined to dry off
their animals earlier to improve the herd average, while
other managers go on milking the cows as long as it is
affordable. Emphasis should be given to select the
animals on the basis of their production level and
higher persistency of lactation, which should
automatically lead to a decrease in dry period. It should
be pointed out that increase of true production in a fixed
lactation period (e.g 305 days) is needed, rather than of
305 days corrected records of actually short lactations.
Service period
The service period is the interval from calving to
the next conception. It has obvious economic
importance because a longer service period increases
the calving interval, resulting in a reduced life time
production. The over all mean service period in this
study was 159 1.56 days for 4411 records of Sahiwal
cows (Table 1). The least squares means for service
period were 156 4.03, 139 3.45 and 152 3.86 days
in the period-1, 2 and 3, respectively. The service
period was longer during period-1 and period-3 than the
period-2, the difference between the former two periods
was non significant. The cows calved in hot dry season
had the longest service period (155 4.86 days), while
the cows calved in hot humid season had the shortest
service period (144 4.53 days), the difference was

Pakistan Vet. J., 2008, 28(2): 84-88.

non significant. Similarly, the longest mean service
period was observed in the first lactation (186 2.98
days), while the shortest (130 16.27 days) service
period was noted in the 9th lactation number. The
analysis of variance (Table 2) showed that the period
and lactation number (parity) had highly significant
(P<0.01) effect on the service period. These results are
in agreement with the results reported by Ahmad
(1999).
The ideal service period for Zebu cattle is not
apparent from the literature. General guidelines are
available such as delaying service period until
mobilization of body reserves ceases (Bourchier, 1981).
As a rule of thumb a cow is preferably bred during third
oestrus after calving in most dairy herds. With a
lactation length of 300 days, this allows a rest of about
60-65 days prior to carrying another pregnancy. From a
practical management point of view, a range of 60-90
days service period should be feasible. Brahmstaedt and
Schonmuth (1983) suggested that service period in
cattle should not be less than 40 days. Kale et al. (1982)
showed that Red Sindhi cows conceiving after 106 days
of calving had longer lactations versus those conceiving
earlier.
Calving interval
The calving interval is defined as the period
between two consecutive calvings. The over all mean
calving interval in this study was 437 1.46 days for
4461 records of Sahiwal cows (Table1). The least
squares means for calving interval were 437 3.74, 420
3.23 and 429 3.60 days in the period-1, 2 and 3,
respectively. The longest (437 3.74 days) calving
interval was observed in the cows calved during period
1, while the shortest (420 3.23 days) calving interval
was found in period 2. The cows calved in hot dry
season showed the longest calving interval (432 4.51
days), while the cows calved in hot humid season had
the shortest calving interval (423 4.22 days).
Similarly, the longest mean calving interval was
observed in the first lactation (462 2.80 days), while
the shortest (420 9.90 days) calving interval was
noted in the 8th lactation number. Analysis of variance
(Table 2) showed that calving period and lactation
number (parity) had highly significant (P<0.01) effect
on the calving interval, while season of calving showed
non-significant variation for the said trait. Ahmad
(1999) reported that period/year, season of calving and
lactation number (Parity) had significant effect on
calving interval.
A calving interval of 365 days is usually
considered ideal (Khan et al., 1992). Therefore, the
calving intervals, as seen in this study, suggest a large
need for future improvement. The length of gestation
and service period are the two main constituents of
calving interval out of which the former can not be

Pakistan Vet. J., 2008, 28(2): 84-88.

87

1318
944
669
505
368
267
177
94
39
30

1635
918
590
708
560

No. of
Obs.
4411
1485
1690
1236

186 2.98a
150 3.37b
147 3.98b
149 4.56b
150 5.32b
150 6.24b
146 7.66b
148 10.51b
130 16.27c
134 1854c

147 3.74
153 4.29
155 4.86
144 4.53
146 5.01

Sevice period
(days)
159 1.56
156 4.03a
139 3.45b
152 3.86a

1327
963
683
506
368
267
182
94
40
31

1640
930
603
721
567

No. of
Obs.
4461
1518
1687
1256

462 2.80a
428 3.14bc
427 3.71bc
426 4.28bc
427 5.01bc
424 5.88bc
431 7.11c
420 9.90c
421 15.13bc
421 17.18bc

428 3.50
432 3.99
432 4.51
423 4.22
429 4.69

Calving
interval (days)
437 1.46
437 3.74a
420 3.23b
429 3.60a

Table 1: Least square means (SE) for various productive and reproductive traits in Sahiwal cows
Lactation milk
Lactation
Dry period
No. of
No. of
Particulars
yield (Kg)
length (days
(days)
Obs.
Obs.
1537 9.03
262 1.04
172 1.44
Population mean
5697
4435
1429 21.27c
258 2.51b
172 3.70a
Period-1
1895
1500
1632 17.95a
256 2.13b
161 3.19b
Period-2
2123
1686
1527 19.34b
267 2.29a
158 3.55b
Period-3
1679
1249
Season of calving
1661 19.20a
261 2.28b
165 3.45
Winter
2075
1644
1505 22.83c
261 2.70b
167 3.96
Spring
1178
919
1483 26.37c
268 3.12a
162 4.46
Hot dry
964
597
1418 23.87d
254 283b
161 4.17
Hot humid
955
717
1579 27.22b
164 4.63
Autumn
725
258 3.22b
558
Parity (Lactation number)
1372 17.38f
199 2.76a
1
1641
261 2.06
1318
1529 19.59de
161 3.10cd
2
1200
265 2.31
956
1557 23.08cde
160 3.65cd
3
851
262 2.73
678
1570 26.73bcd
158 4.20de
4
631
262 3.17
508
1618 30.81ab
156 4.91de
5
471
268 3.65
370
1649 36.14a
160 5.85cd
6
342
263 4.28
260
1608 42.49abc
169 7.03bc
7
248
264 5.04
180
1563 52.75bcde 263 6.24
153 9.62de
8
161
96
9
86
1505 71.96e
253 8.54
38
150 15.25e
10
66
1323 82.06f
244 9.74
31
171 16.88b
Values with different superscripts within a column differ significantly from each other (p<0.01).

88
expected to change much for physiological reasons.
Kumar (1982) reported 97 and 98% variation in calving
interval due to service period in Hariana and Tharparkar
cattle, respectively. Since service period constitutes
nearly all of the variation in calving interval, the only
way to reduce the calving interval in Zebu cattle would
be through an early conception within biological limits.
Selection for calving interval is practically equivalent to
selecting for service period. Variation in this trait
showed that a further improvement in calving interval is

Pakistan Vet. J., 2008, 28(2): 84-88.

possible in Sahiwal cows through selection but
probably more importantly with better management.
Conclusions
The significant effects of period, season of calving
and lactation number (parity) on the performance traits
suggested that improvement in feeding and
management of the said herd is needed for obtaining
better results in Sahiwal cows.

Table 2: Analysis of variance (f-ratio) for various productive and reproductive traits in Sahiwal cows
Trait
DF
Milk
Lactation
DF
Dry
DF
Services
DF
Calving
yield
length
period
period
interval
Period of
2
43.74**
9.15**
2
7.54**
2
11.91**
2
11.72**
calving
Season of
4
26.63**
3.58**
4
0.60NS
4
1.42NS
4
1.11NS
calving
Lactation
9
12.74**
0.95NS
9
17.08**
9
13.34**
9
13.63**
number
Remainder
5681
4419
4395
4445
** = highly significant (P<0.01); NS = Non-significant, DF = Degree of freedom.
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