The influence of Calving season on the productive performance of Kenana cows in the Gezira Scheme, Sudan

Abstract

198 multiparious Kenana cows' records were used to study the effect of calving season on 
some production traits. Cows were similar in live weight: (300kg), and age between 3-5th 
parity, belonged randomly to herds in four villages in the Gezira scheme. The traits chosen 
were total lactation yield, daily yield, lactation length, dry period and calving interval. 
Results obtained, respectively were: 852.9 ± 91.8 Kg, 3.9 ± 0.59 Kg, 249.9 ±10.23 days, 
216.9 ±16.8 days, and 461.1 ±11.77 days. The study revealed no seasonal variations among 
the traits investigated (p>0.05). Instead, cows calved in wet summer were proven to an 
overall better performance, in terms of  high lactation and daily yield in a longest milking 
duration, with a correspondingly shortest days dry and calving interval, in contrast to the 
other seasons.