The present study was undertaken to evaluate the lactation curve pattern in Gir and its crosses in Mumbai region. The selected animals were grouped according to breeds as ‘A’ (Gir), ‘B’ (Gir X H.F) and ‘C’ (Gir X Jersey). Each group was comprised of 20 animals of respective breeds. The data on 300 lactation records were analyzed by least square technique. The different least square constants were worked out for each trait. In the first month, all three groups exhibited average lactation yield values as 141.40±8.09 kg, 157.20±12.10 kg and 141.68±10.06 kg respective for A, B and C groups. The average lactation yield for all the five lactations and three groups were 1435.71±54.67 kg, 2816.60±100.11 kg and 2182.83±73.57 kg. The average percent persistency observed was 85.13±0.86, 89.23±0.75 and 88.03±0.85 for group ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ respectively with overall persistency of 87.43±0.52 percent for all three groups. When lactation curve of all three groups were compared together it was observed that the overall milk production, persistency, peak yield and lactation length were found to be superior in Gir X H. F (group B) followed by Gir X jersey (group C) and pure Gir (group A). The shape of lactation curve for Gir crosses (group B and group C) exhibited sharp decline afier persistency (between 9 to 11 weeks) compare to pure Gir breed.
Gir crosses, Lactation curve, Lactation yield, Persistency
