MILK PRODUCTION PERFORMANCES OF JERSEY × DESHI CROSSBRED CATTLE IN DINAJPUR DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Farmers were selected randomly those who were rearing Jersey crossbred cattle for dairy purpose and data were collected on availability of Jersey crossbred cattle, water supply, healthcare, insemination practices, productive performances and milk sales practices during December 2020 to February 2021 in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Two types of Jersey crossbred genotypes were found and those were Jersey × Deshi Crossbred and Holstein-Friesian × Jersey × Deshi Crossbred cattle. Average test day milk production of Jersey × Deshi Crossbred cows were7.86±0.12 liters and average lactation length in days were 234.76±1.60. One hundred percent of the studied cows were inseminated artificially. Unfortunately nobody was giving water ad libitum basis to their animals but majority of them were using separate mangers to supply water. Majority of the farmers were treating their animals using registered veterinary doctors. They were also using anthelmintics and vaccines regularly for their cows. Farm gates were milk sales center of majority farmers and Goalas collected milk from this center. Present study might be indicated that farmers were not well aware about the insemination system, water supply system and need a good marketing system where stable price of milk could be ensured for milk marketing. The research work also might be pointed out that Jersey cattle could be tried for crossbred dairy cattle production in Bangladesh, but to generate a concluding observation, an in-depth study encompassing all areas where Jersey pure semen distributed, progeny produced and organizations that had procured and distributed this semen would be required.