Performance of Local Hill vs Crossbred Cattle of Uttarakhand

Present research work was conducted on Sahiwal, crossbreds and Hill cattle, reared at Instructional Dairy Farm, G. B. P U A T, Pantnagar during October 2011 to December 2012.It was concluded that Hill cattle were significantly different from Sahiwal and crossbred cattle according to their body morphological traits. Hill cattle were small in size having compact cylindrical shaped body with strong legs which make them suited for hilly terrains of Uttarakhand. Small size and docility make them suitable to be managed by ladies under field conditions allowing limited movement under semi-intensive system of management. Colostrum of Hill cows and Sahiwal were richer in protein, fat, lactose, total solids and ash content as compared to crossbreds. Milk of Hill cows had higher content of protein, fat, SNF, TS as compared to crossbred cows. It had lower pH, electric conductivity and somatic cell count compared to crossbreds/ Sahiwal which make them less prone to mastitis. Urine composition of Hill cows had lower pH, total solids, urea, creatinine, total protein, and ash per cent compared to crossbred cow¿s urine but non-significantly lower from Sahiwal cow.