MSc

The research work was conducted to assess the reliability of Unified score
card for cross bred cows of Kerala. One hundred and ninety six animals of
University cattle farms of Mannuthy, Thumbunnuzhi and Thiruvazhamkunnu were
selected for the study. As per the Unified score card by Purebred Dairy Cattle
Association, the animals were judged for frame, dairy character, body capacity,
feet• and legs and udder. The type components were again subdivided as described
in the scorecard to improve the accuracy of judging score.
The body measurements of individual animals like height at
withers, body length, chest girth, height at withers, height at pins, length of quarter,
width between angles of hook and slope of rump were taken. The animals were
categorized into four age groups, four parities and three stages of lactation. The
emphasis of each of the components of unified score card to milk production was
compared and statistical analysis was carried out as per methods suggested by
Snedcor and Cochran (1994). Effects of age, stage of lactation and parity on
judging using Unified Score Card were worked out. The body measurements were
also correlated with the score and milk yield.
Age, parity and stage of lactation were found to be nonsignificant for final
score. The scores of frame, dairy character and udder for different age groups showed
no significant difference, whereas, scores of body capacity and feet and legs differed
significantly. The scores of dairy character and body capacity differed significantly
with parity. No significant difference was shown for scores of frame, feet and legs
and udder. Frame was found to be positively correlated with other components, the
least being with udder (r=0.127) and highest with feet and legs (r =0.254) which was
highly significant (p<0.01). Dairy character was significantly correlated with body

capacity (r=0.169) and feet and legs(r=0.2S4) in addition to frame. Feet and legs was
the only component to which udder showed positive significant correlation (p Age was found to be not significant for lactation yield (P~O.OS). The means
of lactation yield differed significantly for different parities. All the type components
were found to be positively correlated with lactation yield, all being significant. The
standardized partial regression coefficients were highly significant for dairy
character, udder. and body capacity whereas non significant regression coefficients
were obtained for frame and feet and legs. Udder depth was having the highest
regression coefficient (~=0.312) which was highly significant (p<0.01). Regression
coefficients were significant and positive for skin (0.229), withers (0.188), ribs
(0.174) and thighs (0.162). Both age and parity had significant positive correlation
on body weight. Body weight was significantly (p<0.0 1) correlated with lactation
yield with r=0.244. Height at withers, length, hip width girth and height at hook
showed significant difference with age (p:SO.OS).The height at pins and slope were
found to be not affected significantly by age. All the measurements except slope were
significant and positive in correlation with body capacity. All height measurements,
length and girth was found to be positively correlated with frame (p<0.0 1). Final
score was having significant positive correlation with all height measurements
(p:SO.OS).
It was concluded that although the score card was found to be reliable
on the production of crossbred cows of Kerala, the emphasis placed on type
components was not in full agreement with what was prescribed by the purebred
Dairy Cattle Association Dairy Cow Unified Score Card. Hence it was suggested that
more weightage could be given to body capacity and dairy character compromising
weightage on frame and feet & legs which necessitated further studies in this regard.