Criteria to be followed in selecting the dairy animals.

Introduction: Proper selection is the first and the most important step to be adopted in dairy farming.
Records are the basis of selection and hence proper identification of animals and record-keeping is
essential. Cross-breed animals with an exotic inheritance of about 50 percent are preferable. This
preference is based on the comparison of the performance of the animals with different percentages of
exotic inheritance. Fifty percent of the native germplasm in cross breeds is helpful to retain the
adaptability, heat tolerance and disease resistance traits of local animals. Ex:Australian Friesian Sahiwal
(50% of Holstein and 50% Sahiwal).
Maintaining animals sustainable in the new or altered environment is possible only by purchasing them
from similar environmental conditions.
General selection procedures for dairy breeds: Selection of Dairy Cows: Selecting a calf in calf show,
a cow in cattle show by judging is an art. A dairy farmer should build up his own herd by breeding his
own herd. Following guidelines will be useful for the selection of a dairy cow.
• Should be selected basing upon its breed characters and milk-producing ability
• History sheet or pedigree sheet maintained in organized farms to be checked to know its history
• The maximum yields by dairy cows are noticed during the first five lactations.
• A cow should allow anybody to milk and should be docile.
• Better to purchase the animals during the months of October and November.
• The maximum yield is noticed until 90 days after calving.
• Purchase the stock from a reliable breeder or from the nearest livestock market.
• Select healthy, high yielding animals with the help veterinary/animal husbandry officer.
• Purchase freshly calved animals in their second/third lactation.
• Before purchasing, ascertain actual milk yield by milking the animal three times consecutively.
• Identify the newly purchased animal by giving a suitable identification mark viz., ear tagging.
• Vaccinate the newly purchased animal against disease.
• Keep the newly purchased animal under observation for a period of about two weeks.
• Purchase a minimum economical unit of two milch animals.
• Purchase the second animal/second batch after 5-6 months from the first animal.
• As buffaloes are seasonal, calvers purchase them from July to February.
• Second animal when the first animal is in its late stage of lactation and is about to become dry
to facilitate continuity in milk production vis-a-vis income.
• Follow judicious culling and replacement of animals in a herd.
• Cull the old animals after 6-7 lactations.

Breed Characteristics of High Yielding Dairy Cows:

• attractive individuality with femininity, vigour, harmonious blending of all parts with impressive
style and carriage
• wedge-shaped appearance of the body
• bright eyes with lean neck
• well attached udder to the abdomen
• udder should have a good network of blood vessels.
• four divisions of the udder should be well demarcated with well-placed teats.

Selecting Breeds for Commercial Dairy Farm –Suggestions:

• Under Indian conditions, a commercial dairy farm should consist of a minimum of 20 animals (10 cows,
10 buffaloes). This strength can easily go up to 100 animals in a proportion of 50:50 or 40:60. After this,
review is necessary to go for expansion.
• Middle class Indian families prefer low-fat milk for consumption as liquid milk and hence a commercial
farm having a mix of crossbreed, cows and buffaloes under one roof is of use.
• Commercial farms can mix the milk and sell. But milk in its pure form may be supplied as per the
customer’s preference. Hotels and some general customers prefer pure buffalo milk while Hospitals,
sanitariums prefer cow’s milk.