Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 40
Research Article
Conformation traits of crossbred dairy cows in the South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region,
Ethiopia
Mequanint Biks
1
, Asaminew Tassew
2,*
and Fisseha Moges
2
1
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
2
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, P O Box 5501, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Corresponding author: asaminew2@gmail.com
Received: April 4, 2023; Received in revised form: April 30, 2023; Accepted: May 8, 2023
Abstract: Conformational variations between and within crossbred dairy cattle populations have significant
economic and socio-cultural implications for producers. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize
conformation traits of crossbred dairy cows in the South Gondar zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A total of 204
lactating crossbred dairy cows were selected for measurement purposes. The independent variables considered
were location, stage of lactation, genotype level, and parity while linear body conformations (Stature (STA), Chest
Width (CW), Body Depth (BW), Body Length (BL), Rump Length (RL), Heart Girth (HG), Neck Length (NL), and
Neck Circumferences (NC)), linear udder conformation traits (Rump Width (RW), Udder Depth (UD), Udder Width
(UW), Udder Circumferences (UC), Rear Udder Height (RUH), Teat Length (TL)), non-linear body conformations
(Angularity (ANG), Rear Legs Rear View (RLRV), Rear Legs Side View (RLSV), Body Condition Score (BSC)) and
non-linear udder conformation traits (Fore Udder Attachment (FUA), Rear Teat Placement (RTP), Front Teat
Placement (FTP)), Teat Thickness (TT)) were the dependent variables. Data was analyzed using the General Linear
Models procedure (GLM) of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2004). The overall STA, CW, BD, BL, RL, HG,
NL, NC, RW, RUH, UD, UW, UC and TL were 127.81±5.4 cm, 23.1±3.1cm, 99.2±4cm, 120.45±4.6cm, 32.2±3.9cm,
168.32±5.1cm, 56.7±3.2 cm, 92.88±3.6cm, 17.39±2.65cm, 14.27±1.8cm, 18.02±2.7cm, 16.85±2.5cm, 59.16±4.3cm
and 4.65±0.88cm, respectively. Parity had a significant effect on linear conformational trait characteristics of
crossbred dairy cows at (p<0.01) and (p<0.001) significant levels except for CW, BD, RL, and RUH. Similarly,
genotype level had a significant effect on linear conformational trait characteristics of crossbred dairy cows at
(p<0.05), (p<0.01), and (p<0.001) significant levels except for CW, RL, NL, and RUH but the stage of lactation had
no significant effect (p>0.05) on linear body conformation except STA and had a significant effect (p<0.01) on
linear udder traits except UD and TL of crossbred dairy cows. Therefore, selecting dairy type traits could be an
ideal option to improve cow productivity and enterprise profitability. However, future studies with large populations
and various genotype levels are required to associate conformation with reproductive and productive traits.
Keywords: Crossbred cows, dairy farm enterprise, conformation traits
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
1. Introduction
One of the most important qualities for dairy cattle
producers to know and understand about cattle
behavior is the conformation trait. It includes all the
important areas of an animal's structure, such as the
legs, spine (or top-line), and hindquarters, as well as
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 41
the neck and head. Conformation traits have medium
to high heritability and are recorded in a single
assessment, which is the least expensive method of
selection index for multiple purposes (Khmelnychyi,
2021). The conformation of an animal indicates its
anatomy and skeletal function, as well as how it
affects the animal's health, adaptability, longevity,
and productivity. Conformation traits are used to
assess the condition of a cow based on its body
features (Zetouni et al., 2016). These characteristics
are used to successfully perform animal functions and
have a relationship with productivity, longevity, and
disease resistance potential (Posads et al., 2017).
Measuring actual milk production is time-consuming
and expensive, but dairy cattle breeders are interested
in estimating milk yield due to conformation traits
(Jessica et al., 2020). Many studies have been
conducted to investigate the relationship between
conformation traits and body weight, body condition
score, milk yield, longevity, and other reproductive
traits. That information is critical for dairy cattle
selection and improvement because it predicts the
direct or correlated response to selection (Akpa et al.,
2012). When selecting replacement herd, it's critical
to consider conformation traits because dairy cattle's
functionality and longevity depend on their ability to
produce more milk without encountering problems
caused by structural weakness. Sawa et al. (2013)
revealed that conformation traits appear to be more
suitable for predicting dairy cattle lifetime production
efficiency. However, little is known about the
characterization of conformation traits and their
impact on milk yield in crossbred dairy cows in the
South Gondar zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia.
Therefore, this study aimed to characterize
conformation traits in crossbred dairy cows and
compare its relation to milk yield.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Description of the study area
The study was done in selected locations in South
Gondar, Ethiopia in the Amhara region. There are 15
districts in the South Gondar zone. Four district
towns with youth dairy farm enterprises were chosen
for this study. The towns of Debre Tabor, Woreta,
Addis Zemen, and Hamusit were chosen (Table 1,
Figure 1). Crop-livestock farming is the most
important source of livelihood in the South Gondar
zone. Dairy cattle, beef cattle, and chicken are the
most common livestock species kept by producers in
urban areas.
Table 1: Description of the study areas
Characteristics of the study areas
Study sites
Debre-Tabor town
Woreta town
Addis Zemen town
Hamusit town
Distance from Addis Ababa (km)
666
606
566
515
Distance from Bahir Dar (km)
100
57.8
83.3
34.6
Altitude (masl)
2,706
1828
1975
1945
Latitude
11
0
51
`
N
12
0
07
`
N
12
0
07
`
N
11
0
46
`
N
Longitude
38
0
1
`
E
37
0
42
`
E
37
0
47
`
E
37
0
33
`
E
Temperature (°C)
7-21
13-26
12-26
13-24
Source: SGZAO, 2019
2.2. Study animals and their management
The dairy farms considered in this study were those
in Debre Tabor, Woreta, Addis Zemen, and Hamusit
town. Lactating dairy cows from these dairy
enterprises were used as research animals. Lactating
HF crossbred cows were purchased as parent stock
from government breed multiplication centers,
institution dairy farms, Erib dam dairy farms, and
well-known farmers. A total of 204 crossbred dairy
cows were used (84 with 50% genotype level, 61
with 62.5% genotype level, and 59 with 75%
genotype level).The study animals were fed a zero-
grazing diet of purchased ration (formulated), non-
conventional feeds, and agro-industrial byproducts.
The animals were housed in built-up barns, and the
dairy cows in the enterprises were bred using both
natural bulls and AI services. When animals became
ill, they were treated for diseases.
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 42
Figure 1: Maps of the study areas
Source: Prepared by Geographic Information System (GIS)
2.3. Data type and methods of data collection
A total of 204 lactating dairy cows with one or more
parities from youth managed dairy farm enterprises in
the south Gondar zone were studied using both
quantitative and qualitative data. The linear and non-
linear conformation trait characteristics of lactating
dairy cows were measured. For conformational trait
measurement, all lactating dairy cows managed under
the youth dairy farm enterprise were chosen.
After humanely restraining the selected animals,
fourteen (14) linear conformation traits were
measured in centimeters: Stature (STA), Chest Width
(CW), Body Depth (BW), Body Length (BL), Rump
Length (RL), Rump Width (RW), Udder
Circumferences (UC), Teat Length (TL), Heart Girth
(HG), Neck Length (NL), and Neck Circumferences
(NC). To avoid between-individual variations, all
measurements were taken by the same person. To
reduce measurement error, measurements were taken
three times, and the average value was used as a
single observation.
In addition, eleven (11) non-linear conformation
traits were judged by visual observation and
classified on a scale of 1 to 9, including Angularity
(ANG), Rump Angle (RA), Rear Legs Set (RLS),
Rear Legs Rear View (RLSV), Foot Angle (FA),
Locomotion (L), Body Condition Score (BSC), Fore
Udder Attachment (FUA), Front Teat Placement
(FTP), Rear Teat Placement (RTP), and Teat
Thickness (TT) (FAO, 2012; ICAR, 2017). Finally,
the association was done on each linear
conformational trait and milk yield of each dairy
cow.
2.4. Data analysis
SAS software, version 9.0, was used to analyze the
data (SAS, 2004). Means, frequency distributions,
and percentages were used as descriptive statistics.
Duncan's multiple range tests were also used to
investigate differences in the levels of significance of
conformation traits across lactation stages, genotype
level, parity, and location.
The general linear model (GLM) was used to
compute means and standard deviations for the
quantitative data (SE). P-values at the critical
probability of P<0.05were used to examine statistical
significance between variables. The following model
statement about the effect of different fixed factors
was used to analyze conformational trait
characteristics.
[1]
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 43
Where;
Y
ijk
= observations on conformation trait
characteristics
µ =common mean
L
i
=
th
effect of location (i=Debre Tabor,
Woreta, Addis Zemen, and Hamusit)
Bj = j
th
effect of genotype level (j=50% of HF,
62.5% of HF and 75% of HF)
P
k
= k
th
effect of parity (k=1, 2, 3, ≥4)
S
p =
p
th
lactation stage (p=early, mid and late)
Ɛijk = random error
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Linear body conformation traits of crossbred
dairy cows
The overall mean ± SD of crossbred dairy cows'
Stature (STA), Chest Width (CW), Body Depth
(BD), Body Length (BL), Rump Length (RL), Heart
Girth (HG), Neck Length (NL), and Neck
Circumferences (NC) were 127.81±5.4cm,
23.1±3.1cm, 99.2±4cm, 120.45±4.6cm, 32.2±3.9cm,
168.32±5.1cm, 56.7±3.2cm, and 92.88±3.6cm,
respectively (Table 2). Location had a significant
effect (p<0.001) on the body conformation traits of
crossbred dairy cows, according to the findings.
Debre Tabor town had the highest body conformation
in all traits compared to others. This variation could
be due to the environment in which the animals are
kept, or it could indicate possible genetic differences
between the two groups of animals. Similarly, pair-
wise comparisons between study sites revealed
significant (p<0.001) differences in all phenotypic
linear body measurements of dairy cows in the Awi,
East, and West Gojjam zones of Ethiopia's Amhara
region (Fasil, 2006).
Similarly, parity had a significant (p<0.001) effect on
Stature (STA), Body Length (BL), Heart Girth (HG),
Neck Length (NL), and Neck Circumferences (NC)
of crossbred dairy cows, but no significant effect on
Chest Width (CW), Body Depth (BD), and Rump
Length (RL). Dairy cows with parities four and above
were taller (stature) and longer (body length) than
those with parities three, two, and one. The increase
in body size characteristics with parity observed in
this study is similar to previous reports on crossbred
dairy cows Alphonsus et al. (2012) who reported that
older cows were bigger (ST, WH, BD, HG) than
younger but peaked at 5
th
parity and began declining.
This significant effect of parity on body size
characteristics demonstrates that as parity increases,
so does the age of cows, and physiological and
morphological growth of the animals occurs
concurrently with parity or age.
Most linear body conformation traits of crossbred
dairy cows had no significant effect (p>0.05) on
lactation stage. Except for chest width, genotype
level had a significant effect (p<0.01) on linear body
conformation traits of crossbred dairy cows (CW).
According to the current findings, cows in the highest
genotype group were taller (stature), longer (body
length, neck length), deeper (body depth), and wider
(heart girth) than others. This could be attributed to
genetic improvement in high genotype level cows.
The length and thin neck indicate angularity, which is
a common conformation of ideal dairy cattle,
whereas the short and thick neck indicates
rectangularity, which is a common conformation of
meat-type or beef cattle (Misganaw et al., 2017).
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 44
Table 2: Effect of location, parity, genotype, and stage of lactation on linear body characteristics of crossbred dairy cows in the area
Variables
N
STA (cm)
CW (cm)
BD (cm)
BLN (cm)
RL (cm)
HG (cm)
NL (cm)
NC (cm)
Overall
204
127.81±5.4
23.1±3.1
99.2±4
120.45±4.6
32.2±3.9
168.32±5.1
56.7±3.2
92.88±3.6
Locations
***
***
***
**
***
***
***
Ns
DT
50
131.47±4.5
a
25.14±3
a
102.29±3.9
a
122.96±3.9
a
35.52±3.7
a
171.15±3.8
58.4±2.4
a
92.01±4.6
a
WO
66
126.64±4.5
b
22.72±2.7
b
99.42±2.6
b
119.98±3
b
32.77±2.8
b
170.69±3.2
57.26±2.9
b
94±2.9
b
AZ
50
126.2±5.3
b
22.62±2.9
b
96.8±3.7
c
118.75±5.2
c
30.22±2.9
c
165.77±4.5
55.24±3.3
c
92.62±2.5
b
HM
38
126.5±5.6b
21.54±2.8
b
97.2±3.4
c
119.67±5.2
cb
29.04±2.8
c
164.02±5.1
55.67±3.6
c
92.63±3.7
b
Parity
204
***
Ns
Ns
***
Ns
***
***
**
1
79
122.67±3.3
d
22.81±2.8
a
98.5±3.9
b
116.49±3.5
d
31.6±4.7
a
165.5±4.6
c
54.7±3
d
94.3±4.1
a
2
55
128.98±3.1
c
23.6±3
a
99.9±4.1
ab
121.25±2.4
c
32.6±3.1
a
168.7±4.5
b
56.7±2.6
c
93.2±2.8
a
3
44
131.74±2.8
b
22.7±3.3
a
98.9±4.2
ab
123.57±2.7
b
32.3±3.1
a
171.2±4.2
a
58.6±2.2
b
91.5±2.6
b
≥4
26
134.96±1.7
a
23.62±3.8
a
100.2±3.5
a
126.08±2.7
a
32.7±4
a
171.6±4.4
a
60.5±1.7
a
89.4±2.0
c
Stage of
lactation
204
*
Ns
Ns
Ns
Ns
Ns
**
Ns
First
76
129.4±5.0
a
22.92±3.4
a
99.4±4.1
a
121.8±4.2
a
32.26±4.2
a
169.16±4.8
a
57.9±2.9
a
92.63±3.5
a
Second
77
127.2±4.7
b
23.22±3.0
a
98.96±3.8
a
119.8±3.7
b
32.17±3.9
a
168.11±5.0
ab
56.4±3
b
92.62±4.1
a
Third
51
125.9±6.4
c
23.26±2.8
a
99.07±4.3
a
119±5.8
b
32.00±3.7
a
167.10±5.7
b
55.4±3.6
c
93.7±2.9
a
Genotype
level
204
***
Ns
**
***
Ns
***
***
*
50%
84
122.29±2.8
c
22.25±2.5
b
97.25±2.9
b
116.1±3
c
30.53±3.2
b
164.59±4.3
c
54.51±3.1
c
94.65±2.8
c
62.5%
61
128.42±2.5
b
23.45±3.3
a
100.11±4.2
a
121.25±2
b
32.82±4.8
a
169.41±4.3
b
56.9±2.3
b
92.63±4.2
b
75%
59
133.59±2.4
a
23.76±3.4
a
100.47±4.2
a
124.83±2.9
a
33.44±3.3
a
171.59±3.7
a
59.3±2.2
a
91.06±2.8
a
Where, DT = Debre Tabor, WO = Woreta, AZ = Addis Zemen, HM = Hamusit, N = number of observation, STA = stature, CW = chest width, BD = body depth,
BL = body length, RL = rump length, HG = heart girth, NL= neck length and NC = neck circumferences
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 45
3.2. Linear udder conformation traits of
crossbred dairy cows
The overall mean± SD of Rump Width (RW), Rear
Udder Height (RUH), Udder Depth (UD), Rear
Udder Width (RUW), Udder Circumferences (UC),
and Teat Length (TL) were 17.39±2.65cm, 14.27±1.8
cm, 18.02±2.7cm, 16.85±2.5cm, 59.16±4.3cm, and
4.65±0.88cm, respectively (Table 3). The current
results indicated that location had a significant effect
on linear udder conformation traits of crossbred dairy
cows at (p<0.001), and (p<0.01) significant levels.
Rump width was lower in Woreta town than in
others, but rear udder height and width were higher in
Hamusit town and lower in Woreta town. Udder
depth, udder circumferences, and teat length were all
greater in Debre Tabor town than in the other study
locations. These differences in udder morphology
across locations could be attributed to differences in
the genotype of dairy cows entered into the
enterprises as well as environmental variations.
Similarly, except for rear udder height, parity and
genotype level had a significant effect (p<0.01) in
most udder conformation traits, whereas stage of
lactation had a significant effect (p<0.001 and
p<0.01) on udder conformation trait characteristics of
crossbred cows (Table 3). Rump width, udder depth,
rear udder width, udder circumferences, and teat
length increased during the fourth parity and early
lactation but decreased during the first parity and late
lactation. This increase with parity may be due to the
progressive development of udder morphology with
respect to cow age and parity, or it may be due to the
continuous development of udder tissues up to the
fourth parity, after which the tissues begin to regress
as the age advances. Whereas the decrease in udder
traits as the lactation stage increases could be
attributed to a decrease in milk yield from the early to
the late stage of lactation because good udder size
was dependent on the presence of milk, the udder is
enlarged with high milk secretion and shrinks with
low milk secretion. It is consistent with the findings
of Kilekoung et al. (2017), who found that linear
udder traits of dairy cows increased (p<0.05) at the
third parity and decreased (p<0.05) at the third stage
of lactation. Crossbred cows' udder linear traits were
low at 50% HF genotype level and high at 75%
genotype level. This could be due to genetic
advancements that increased udder growth in cows
with high HF genotype levels.
A total of 39 pollen and/or nectar source plant species
belonging to 23 families were identified during the
survey work (Table 1). The species of bee plants
reported by beekeepers through survey were more or
less comparable to those found by plant inventory
and pollen analysis. This has demonstrated that
beekeepers' indigenous knowledge is significant for
bee plant inventory results.
3.3. Pearson correlation between conformation
traits and daily milk yield of crossbred dairy
cows
Udder circumferences have a significant (p<0.001)
strong positive correlation (r=0.72) with daily milk
yield of crossbred dairy cows, whereas stature
(r=0.64), rear udder width (r=0.64), neck length
(r=0.59), heart girth (r=0.53), and teat length (r=0.52)
have a significant (p<0.001) moderate positive
correlation with daily milk yield of crossbred dairy
cows (Table 4). Furthermore, body length (r=0.33),
body depth (r=0.3), udder depth (r=0.22), and rump
width (r=0.18) had a weak positive correlation with
daily milk yield at a highly significant level
(p<0.001), and neck circumferences (r=-0.39) had a
weak negative correlation with milk yield, but chest
width, rump length, and rear udder width had no
correlation (p>0.05).
According to Alphonsus (2012), stature, heart girth,
body length, and teat length have a highly positive
relationship with the milk yield of Holstein Frisian
crossbred dairy cows, whereas chest width and body
depth have a highly positive correlation with
bodyweight but no correlation with milk yield.
Similarly, this study supports the findings of Sawa et
al. (2013), who found that conformation traits are
related to milk yield and can be used to predict cow
production performance. It also agrees with
Stephania and Julian's (2014) finding that the
correlation between stature and milk yield was
moderately positive, but that this relationship could
have been stronger if the first parity animals had not
reached adult size.
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 46
Table 3: Effect of location, genotype level, stage of lactation, and parity on linear udder trait characteristics of crossbred dairy cows
Variables
N
RW (cm)
RUH (cm)
UD (cm)
RUW (cm)
UC (cm)
TL (cm)
Overall
204
17.39±2.65
14.27±1.8
18.02±2.7
16.85±2.5
59.16±4.3
4.65±0.88
Location
**
***
**
***
***
***
DT
50
17.93±1.9
a
14.22±1.5
b
19.23±3.2
a
16.42±2.06
b
61.84±2.7
a
5.04±0.8
a
WO
66
16.34±2.0
b
13.4±1.1
c
16.67±2.2
c
15.95±2.4
b
58.54±3.6
b
4.61±0.7
b
AZ
50
17.84±2.7
a
14±1.1.8
bc
17.87±2.2
b
17.84±2.6
a
57.42±4.8
c
4.67±08
b
Dera
38
17.72±3.6
a
15.86±2.0
a
18.54±2.3
ab
17.62±2.4
a
58.44±4.7
b
4.21±1.0
c
Parity
204
***
Ns
*
***
***
***
1
79
15.61±1.7
d
14.26±1.8
a
16.39±2.5
c
15.08±1.6
d
55.31±3.4
d
4.02±0.4
c
2
55
17.27±2.1
c
14.45±1.8
a
18.37±2.6
b
16.68±1.7
c
60.39±2.3
c
4.84±0.8
b
3
44
19.04±2.2
b
14.18±2.1
a
19.25±1.7
b
18.48±2.0
b
61.93±2.6
b
5.02±0.8
b
≥4
26
20.58±2.4
a
14.08±1.2
a
20.37±1.6
a
20.17±2.2
a
64.04±1.0
a
5.62±0.6
a
Genotype level
204
***
Ns
**
**
***
**
50%
84
15.35±1.7
c
14.38±2.05
a
16.12±108
c
14.12±1.7
c
54.95±3.0
c
4.03±0.6
c
62.5%
61
17.76±2.2
b
14.42±1.7
a
18.37±2.6
b
16.6±2.1
b
60.09±2.2
b
4.63±0.7
b
75%
59
19.39±2.3
a
14.01±1.5
a
19.88±2.1
a
18.73±2.4
a
63.14±2.0
a
5.39±0.6
a
Stage of lactation
204
**
***
Ns
*
***
Ns
Early
76
18.32±2.8
a
13.71±1.6
c
18.69±2.6
a
17.69±2.8
a
60.72±3.7
a
4.9±0.9
a
Mid
77
17.04±2.27
b
14.46±1.8
b
17.72±2.7
b
16.31±2.1
b
58.69±3.9
b
4.5±0.8
b
Late
51
16.21±2.27
c
15.02±1.8
a
17.25±2.4
b
16.13±2.0
b
57.02±4.7
c
4.4±0.9
b
Where; DT = Debre Tabor, WO = Woreta, AZ = Addis Zemmen, HM = Hamusit, N = number of observation, RW = rump width, RUH = rear udder height,
RUW = rear udder width, UC = udder circumferences, and TL = teat length
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 47
Table 4: Pearson correlation between conformation traits and daily milk yield of crossbred dairy cows
STA (cm)
CW
(cm)
BD (cm)
BLN
(cm)
RL
(cm)
RW
(cm)
RUH
(cm)
UD
(cm)
RUW
(cm)
UC
(cm)
TL
(cm)
HG
(cm)
NL
(cm)
NC
(cm)
DMY
(litter)
STA
0.22
0.35
0.9
0.3
0.6
-0.05
0.6
0.55
0.9
0.7
0.6
0.7
-0.47
0.64
0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.4
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
CW
0.65
0.25
0.4
-0.1
-0.02
-0.006
-0.01
0.2
0.14
0.3
0.14
-0.04
0.07
<0.001
0.0002
<0.001
1.4
0.7
0.9
0.8
0.003
0.03
<0.001
0.03
0.54
0.3
BD
0.4
0.4
0.11
-0.1
0.11
0.01
0.36
0.25
0.38
0.3
-0.13
0.3
<0.001
<0.001
0.12
0.14
0.1
0.86
<0.001
0.0002
<0.001
<0.001
0.04
<0.001
BLN
0.3
0.6
-0.038
0.53
0.55
0.83
0.66
0.65
0.73
-0.43
0.33
<0.001
<0.001
0.58
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
RL
0.09
-0.1
0.18
-0.056
0.3
0.23
0.4
0.29
-0.1
0.12
0.2
0.13
0.008
0.4
<0.001
0.0007
<0.001
<0.001
0.14
0.08
RW
-0.04
0.65
0.63
0.66
0.61
0.25
0.55
-0.45
0.18
0.55
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.0003
<0.001
<0.001
0.009
RUH
0.19
-0.13
-0.04
-0.28
-0.29
-0.16
0.04
-0.08
0.004
0.06
0.47
<0.001
<0.001
0.01
0.5
0.2
UD
0.36
0.6
0.4
0.16
0.32
-0.24
0.22
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.01
<0.001
0.0006
<0.001
RUW
0.59
0.55
0.19
0.53
-0.48
0.64
<0.001
<0.001
0.004
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
UC
0.7
0.64
0.68
-0.43
0.72
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
TL
0.53
0.6
-0.39
0.52
<0.001
<0.001
<0.0001
0.002
HG
0.59
-0.28
0.53
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
NL
-0.59
0.59
<0.001
<0.001
NC
-0.39
<0.001
MY
Where: STA = stature, CW = chest with, BD = body depth, BLN = body length, RL= rump length, RW = rump width, RUH = rear udder height, UD = udder
depth, RUW = rear udder width, UC = udder circumferences, TL= teat length, HG = heart girth, NL= neck length, NC = neck circumferences and DMY = daily
milk yield
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 48
3.4. Non-linear body conformation trait
characteristics of crossbred dairy cows
The overall frequency value indicated that the highest
proportion of non-linear body conformation traits
were scored at intermediate levels rather than high
and low levels in all crossbred dairy cows (Table 5).
It is consistent with the findings of Misganaw et al.
(2017), who found that the overall result of the most
common conformations was observed at intermediate
levels. Except for foot angle, body condition score,
and bone structure, lactation stage had no significant
effect (p>0.05) on nonlinear body conformation trait
characteristics of crossbred dairy cows. A higher
percentage of very low angular foot angle (26.96%)
was observed in the early stage of lactation than in
the mid and late (4%) stages of lactation, but a higher
percentage of intermediate foot angle (30.88%) was
observed in the mid-stage of lactation than in the
early and late (7.35%) stages of lactation, and a
higher percentage of very steep foot angle (15.96%)
was observed in the late stage of lactation than in the
early (2.94%) and mid-stage (4.94%) of lactations.
This indicated that as the stage of lactation increased,
the foot angle changed from a very low angle to a
very steep foot angle because the cow changed their
foot structure during parturitions due to parturitions
forces and accumulation of high milk from the udder
at an early stage, and they changed to a normal
position at the mid and late stages when the udder
contained a small amount of milk.
Body condition score (BCS) is a subjective
assessment of energy reserves in a dairy cow's
adipose tissue that is used to manage dairy cows. It is
a widely accepted noninvasive, subjective, quake,
and low-cost method of estimating the degree of
fatness in dairy cows based on appearances and
palpation of the back and hindquarters (Mishra et al.,
2016).
Crossbred dairy cows scored the highest percent of
poor body condition score (19.6 percent) than
intermediate (12.25 percent) and grossly fat (5.39
percent) body condition scores early in lactation, and
cows scored the highest percent of intermediate body
condition score (36.28 percent) than poor (1.47
percent) and grossly fat (0 percent) body condition
scores late in lactation. This indicated that most cows
in the early lactation stage had poor body condition
scores, whereas cows in the mid and late lactation
stages had intermediate body condition scores. This
is because cows in the early lactation mobilize or
utilize body reserves to support milk yield, and loss
of body condition score due to high milk yield
production at an early stage was greater in cows in
the early lactation stage than in others. However,
cows in the middle and late stages of lactation may
be dry off and reserve body fat. This finding is
consistent with Wissal and Rachid's (2019) finding
that cows in early lactations had lower body
condition scores than others, which could be due to
the high mobilization of body reserves in high-
yielding cows.
Similarly, a higher percentage of broad and thick
bone structure (6.86 percent) was observed at an
early stage of lactation than at the mid (1.96 percent)
and late (1.47 percent) stages of lactation, but cows at
the mid-stage of lactation had a higher level of
intermediate bone structure (23.53 percent) than cows
at the early (18.83 percent) and late (17.65 percent)
stages of lactation, and cows at the mid-stage of
lactation had a higher level. This indicated that the
cow's bone structures were broad and thick in the
early stages of lactation, while intermediate and flat
bone structures were observed in the mid-stages of
lactation.
All nonlinear body conformation traits of crossbred
dairy cattle were significantly affected by parity
(p<0.05). The current results show that most parity
one cows have less angularity, a higher pin rump
angle, a straight rear leg set view, an extreme rear leg
rear view, a very low foot angle, a poor body
condition score, and a broad bone structure than
parity two and three cows. Cows at parity one had
poor body conformations, while cows at parity two
and three had intermediate to very good body
conformations. Cows at parity four and above may
have poor body conformations because first parity
cows were not mature enough compared to second
and third parity cows, but the decline in fourth and
above parity cows was due to decline in body
condition and degeneration of the body system.
Table 6 showed that genotype had a significant
(p<0.001) effect on angularity, rump angle, and rear
leg set view. It had no effect on the foot angle or
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 49
body condition scores of crossbred dairy cows
(p>0.05). Most 50 percent genotype level crossbred
dairy cows had less angularity, a higher pine rump
angle, a straight rear leg set view, and an extreme
rear leg rear view than 62.5 percent and 75 percent
genotype level cows. However, 75 percent genotype
level crossbred dairy cows had significantly better
angularity, extremely sloppy rump angle, sickled rear
leg set view, and parallel feet rear leg rear view than
50 percent and 62.5 percent genotype level cows. It
was discovered that cows with the highest genotype
level had better body conformation than cows with
the lowest genotype level, which could be attributed
to the high percentage of dairy type Holstein Frisian
cows.
Similarly, location had a significant effect (p<0.05)
on rump angle, rear leg set view, and rear leg
rearview, and it has a significant effect (p<0.01) on
the angularity of crossbred dairy cows. Most
crossbred dairy cows in Woreta Town had poor
angularity, straight rear leg set view, extreme rear leg
rearview, and very low foot angle compared to
others, while the majority of cows in Debre Tabor
Town had good angularity, extremely sloppy rump
angle, and flat bone structure compared to others
(Table 6).
3.5. Non-linear udder conformation trait
characteristics of crossbred dairy cows
The overall frequency value indicated that
intermediate levels scored a higher proportion of non-
linear udder conformation traits than high and low
levels (Table 7). It is consistent with the findings of
Misganaw et al. (2017), who found that the overall
result of the most common conformations was
observed at intermediate levels (4-6 points).
Most non-leaner udder conformation traits of
crossbred dairy cows had no significant effect
(p>0.05), but for-udder attachment had a significant
effect (p<0.001) (Table 7). The majority of cows
were scored intermediate and extremely strong for
udder attachment at the mid and late stages of
lactation, but the majority of cows were scored weak
and loose fore udder attachment at the early stage of
lactation. Parity, on the other hand, had a significant
effect (p<0.01) on all nonlinear udder conformation
traits of crossbred dairy cows. According to the
current findings, the majority of cows in parity one
had weak and loose fore udder attachment, outside of
quarter and intermediate front teat placement,
intermediate rear teat placement, and thin teat
thickness, whereas cows in parity three had inside of
quarter front and rear teat placement, and thick teat
thickness. This showed that as parity increased, cows'
udder structure improved due to the development of
udder morphology.
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 50
Table 5: Effect of stage of lactation and parity on non-linear body conformation traits of crossbred dairy cows
Parameters
Stage of lactation
Parity
Overall
(N = 204)
Early (N =76)
Mid (N =77)
Late (N = 51)
1(N = 79)
2 (N = 55)
3 (N = 44)
≥4 (N = 26)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
Angularity
Ns
***
Lack angularity
18(8.82)
12(5.88)
7(3.43)
22(10.78)
1(0.49)
3(1.47)
11(5.39)
32(18.14)
Intermediate
27(13.24)
37(18.14)
28(13.73)
44(21.57)
25(12.25)
13(6.37)
10(4.9)
92(45.1)
Very angular
31(15.2)
28(13.73)
16(7.84)
13(6.37)
29(14.22)
28(13.73)
5(2.45)
75(36.76)
Rump angle
Ns
***
High pines
17(8.33)
12(5.88)
7(3.43)
30(14.71)
1(0.49)
2(0.98)
10(4.9)
43(21.08)
Intermediate
33(16.18)
37(18.14)
28(13.73)
40(19.61)
27(13.24)
18(8.82)
7(3.43)
93(45.59)
Extremely sloppy
26(12.75)
28(13.73)
16(7.84)
18(3.92)
27(13.24)
24(11.76)
9(4.41)
68(33.33)
Rear leg set view
Ns
***
Straight
14(6.86)
11(5.39)
5(2.45)
15(7.35)
3(1.47)
3(1.47)
9(4.41)
30(14.71)
Intermediate
34(16.67)
35(17.16)
31(15.2)
50(24.51)
26(12.75)
13(6.37)
11(5.39)
100(49.02)
Sickled
28(13.73)
31(15.2)
15(7.35)
14(6.86)
26(12.75)
28(13.73)
6(2.94)
74(36.27)
Rear leg rear view
Ns
***
Extreme
15(7.35)
10(4.9)
5(2.45)
16(7.84)
3(1.47)
3(1.47)
8(3.92)
30(14.71)
Intermediate
34(16.67)
39(19.12)
32(15.69)
50(24.51)
30(14.71)
13(6.37)
12(5.88)
105(51.47)
Parallel feet
27(13.24)
28(13.73)
14(6.89)
13(6.37)
22(10.78)
28(13.73)
6(2.94)
69(33.82)
Foot angle
***
*
Very low angle
55(26.96)
4(1.96)
4(1.96)
23(11.27)
12(5.88)
13(6.37)
15(7.39)
63(30.88)
Intermediate
15(7.35)
63(30.88)
15(7.35)
39(19.12)
29(14.22)
19(9.31)
6(2.94)
93(45.59)
Very steep
6(2.94)
10(4.9)
32(15.96)
17(8.33)
14(6.86)
12(5.88)
5(2.45)
48(23.53)
Locomotion
*
*
Sever abduction
32(15.69)
23(11.27)
18(8.82)
32(15.69)
12(5.88)
13(6.37)
16(7.84)
73(35.78)
Slightly abduction
31(15.)
45(22.06)
31(15.2)
39(19.12)
35(17.16)
24(11.76)
9(4.41)
107(52.45)
No abduction
11(6.37)
9(4.41)
2(0.98)
8(3.92)
8(3.92)
7(3.43)
1(0.49)
24(11.76)
Body condition score
**
**
Poor
40 (19.6)
3(1.47)
1(0.49)
34(11.76)
8(3.92)
3(1.47)
10(4.9)
45(22.06)
Intermediate
25(12.25)
74 (36.28)
41(20.08)
49(24.02)
42(20.59)
35(17.16)
14(6.86)
140(68.63)
Grossly fat
11(5.39)
0
9(4.41)
6(2.94)
5(2.45)
6(2.994)
2(0.96)
19(9.31)
Where; N = number of observation
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 51
Table 6: Effect of genotype level and location on non-linear body conformation traits of crossbred dairy cows
Parameters
Genotype level
Locations
Overall
N=204
50%
(N= 84)
62.5%
(N=61)
75%
(N=59)
DT
(N=50)
WO
(N= 66)
HM
(N=34)
AZ
(N=50)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
Angularity
***
**
Lack angularity
24(11.76)
7(3.43)
6(2.94)
4(1.96)
14(6.86)
3(4.41)
10(4.9)
37(18.14)
Intermediate
42(20.59)
29(14.22)
21(10.29)
18(8.82)
26(12.75)
9(10.78)
26(12.75)
92(45.1)
Very angular
18(8.82)
25(12.25)
32(15.69)
28(13.73)
26(12.75)
22(3.43)
14(6.86)
75(36.76)
Rump angle
***
*
high pines
29(14.22)
8(3.92)
6(2.94)
6(2.94)
12(5.88)
13(6.37)
12(5.88)
43(21.08)
Intermediate
44(21.57)
30(14.71)
19(9.31)
19(9.31)
31(15.2)
15(7.35)
28(13.73)
93(45.59)
Extremely sloppy
11(5.39)
23(11.27)
34(16.67)
25(12.25)
23(11.27)
10(4.9)
10(4.9)
68(33.33)
Rear leg set view
***
*
Straight
18(8.82)
7(3.43)
5(2.45)
2(0.98)
14(6.86)
7(3.43)
7(3.43)
30(14.71)
Intermediate
50(24.51)
27(13.24)
23(11.27)
25(12.25)
25(12.25)
19(9.31)
31(15.2)
100(49.02)
Sickled
16(7.84)
27(13.24)
31(15.2)
23(11.27)
27(13.24)
12(5.88)
12(5.88)
74(36.27)
Rear leg rear view
**
*
Extreme
19(9.31)
6(2.94)
5(2.45)
5(2.45)
12(5.88)
6(2.94)
7(3.43)
30(14.71)
Intermediate
50(24.51)
29(14.22)
26(12.75)
22(10.78)
28(13.73)
21(10.29)
34(16.67)
105(51.47)
Parallel feet
15(7.35)
26(12.75)
28(13.75)
23(11.27)
26(12.75)
11(5.39)
9(4.41)
69(36.82)
Foot angle
Ns
Ns
Very low angle
19(9.31)
26(12.75)
18(8.82)
16(7.84)
28(13.73)
8(3.92)
11(5.39)
63(30.88)
Intermediate
41(20.1)
26(12.75)
26(12.75)
21(10.29)
26(12.75)
17(8.33)
29(14.22)
93(45.59)
Very steep
24(11.76)
9(4.41)
15(7.35)
13(6.37)
12(5.88)
13(6.37)
10(4.9)
48(23.53)
No abduction
4(1.96)
6(3.97)
12(5.88)
6(2.94)
9(4.41)
4(1.96)
5(2.45)
24(11.76)
Body condition score
Ns
Ns
Poor
24(11.76)
10(4.9)
11(5.39)
5(2.45)
19(9.31)
8(3.92)
13(6.37)
45(22.06)
Intermediate
56(27.45)
44(21.57)
40(19.61)
39(19.12)
39(19.12)
29(14.22)
33(16.18)
140(68.63)
Grossly fat
4(1.96)
7(3.43)
8(3.92)
6(2.94)
8(3.92)
1(0.49)
4(1.96)
49(9.31)
Where; DT = Debre Tabor, WO = Woreta, AZ = Addis Zemmen, HM = Hamusit, N = number of observation
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 52
Table 7: Effect of stage of lactation and parity on non-linear udder conformation traits of crossbred dairy cows
Parameters
Stage of lactation
Parity
Overall
(N=204)
Early (N=76)
Mid (N=77)
Late (N=51)
1 (N=79)
2 (N=55)
3 (N=44)
≥4 (N=26)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
Fore udder attachment
***
**
Week and loose
47(23.04)
3(1.47)
5(2.45)
17(8.33)
11(5.39)
11(5.39)
16(7.84)
55(26.96)
Intermediate
18(8.82)
64(31.37)
16(7.84)
38(18.63)
30(14.71)
25(12.25)
5(2.45)
98(48.04)
Extremely strong and tight
11(5.39)
10(4.9)
30(14.71)
24(11.76)
14(6.86)
8(3.92)
5(2.45)
51(25)
Front teat placement
Ns
**
Out-side of quarter
12(5.88)
13(6.37)
8(3.92)
17(8.33)
7(3.43)
2(0.98)
7(3.43)
33(16.58)
Intermediate
45(12.06)
44(21.57)
28(13.73)
52(25.49)
33(16.18)
22(10.78)
10(4.9)
117(57.35)
Inside of quarter
19(9.31)
20(9.8)
15(7.35)
10(4.9)
15(7.35)
20(9.8)
9(4.41)
54(26.47)
Rear teat placement
Ns
**
Outside of quarter
8(3.92)
11(5.39)
6(2.94)
13(6.37)
6(2.94)
2(0.98)
4(1.96)
25(12.25)
Intermediate
48(23.53)
44(21.57)
31(15.2)
58(28.43)
30(14.71)
22(10.78)
13(6.37)
123(60.29)
Inside of quarter
20(9.8)
22(10.78)
14(6.86)
8(3.92)
19(9.31)
20(9.8)
9(4.41)
56(27.45)
Teat thickness
Ns
***
Thin
12(5.88)
12(5.88)
15(7.35)
30(14.71)
3(1.47)
2(0.98)
4(1.96)
39(19.12)
Intermediate
35(17.16)
41(20.11)
21(10.29)
42(20.59)
30(14.71)
15(7.35)
10(4.9)
97(47.55)
Thick
291(4.22)
24(11.76)
15(7.35)
7(3.43)
22(10.78)
27(13.24)
12(5.88)
68(33.33)
Where; N = number of observation
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 53
Location had no significant effect (p>0.05) on non-
linear udder morphology in crossbred cows, and
genotype level had a significant effect on front teat
placement (p<0.01), rear teat placement (p<0.05),
and teat thickness (p<0.001), but no significant effect
on fore udder attachment (p>0.05) (Table 8). The
majority of crossbred cows (7.35 percent) scored
outside of the quarter in their front teat placement at
50 percent HF genotype level than 62.5 percent (5.39
percent) and 75 percent (3.43 percent) genotype
levels, respectively, but the highest percent (11.76
percent) of in-side quarter front teat placement were
scored at 75 percent crossbred dairy cows than 50
percent and 62.5 percent (7.35 percent) genotype
level crossbred cows. Similarly, cows with 50% HF
genotype had higher outside rear teat placement and
thinner teat thickness than others, but cows with 75%
HF genotype had higher inside quarter front teat
placement and thicker teat thickness. This meant that
the cows with the highest HF genotype level had
better udder morphology than the cows with the
lowest HF genotype level.
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 54
Table 8: Effect of genotype level and location on non-linear udder conformation traits of crossbred dairy cows
Parameters
Genotype levels
Locations
Overall
(N=204)
50% (N=84)
62.5% (N=61)
75% (N=59)
DT (N=50)
WO (N=66)
HM (N=38)
AZ (N=50)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
N (%)
Fore udder attachment
Ns
Ns
Week and loose
18(8.82)
20(9.8)
17(8.33)
17(8.33)
17(8.33)
5(2.45)
16(7.84)
55(26.96)
Intermediate
41(20.1)
30(14.71)
27(13.24)
20(9.8)
37(15.69)
20(9.8)
26(12.75)
98(48.08)
Extremely strong and tight (7-9)
25(12.25)
11(5.39)
15(7.35)
13(6.37)
17(8.33)
13(6.27)
8(3.92)
51(25)
Front teat placement
**
Ns
Outside of quarter
15(7.35)
11(5.39)
7(3.43)
7(3.43)
11(5.39)
6(2.94)
9(4.41)
33(16.18)
Intermediate
54(26.47)
39(19.12)
24(11.76)
24(11.76)
37(18.14)
22(10.78)
34(16.67)
157(57.35)
Inside of quarter
15(7.35)
15(7.35)
24(11.76)
19(9.31)
18(8.82)
10(4.9)
7(3.43)
54(26.47)
Rear teat placement
*
Ns
Outside of quarter
12(5.88)
7(3.43)
6(2.94)
5(2.45)
9(4.41)
7(3.43)
4(1. 96)
25(12.25)
Intermediate
57(27.94)
37(18.14)
29(14.22)
24(11.76)
37(18.14)
23(11.27)
39(19.12)
123(60.29)
Inside of quarter
15(7.35)
17(8.33)
24(11.76)
21(10.29)
20(9.8)
8(3.92)
7(3.43)
56(27.45)
Teat thickness
***
Ns
Thin
25(12.25)
8(3.92)
6(2.94)
5(2.45)
12(5.88)
11(5.39)
11(5.39)
39(19.12)
Intermediate
45(22.06)
32(15.69)
20(9.8)
21(10.29)
32(15.69)
16(7.84)
28(13.73)
97(47.55)
Thick
14(6.86)
21(10.29)
33(16.18)
24(11.76)
22(10.78)
11(5.39)
11(5.39)
68(3.33)
Where, DT = Debre Tabor, WO = Woreta, AZ = Addis Zemmen, HM = Hamusit, N = Number of observations
Biks et al. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 55
4. Conclusion and Recommendation
Most linear body conformation traits of crossbred
dairy cows in this study had variations in location,
parity, and genotype levels. Cows with party four and
above were taller (stature) and longer (body length)
than other parties. Similarly, cows with the highest
HF genotype level (75%) and high altitude location
(Debre Tabor town) were taller (stature), longer
(body length, neck length), deeper (body depth), and
broader (heart girth) than others. Similarly, most
linear udder conformation traits of crossbred dairy
cows had variations in location, parity, genotype
level, and stage of lactation. The result showed that
rump width, udder depth, rear udder width, udder
circumferences, and teat length increased at the
fourth parity and the early stage of lactation but
decrease at the first parity and the late stage of
lactation. This might be due to the continuous
development of udder tissues up to 4
th
parity, after
which the tissues start to regress as age advances and
decreases milk yield from early to the late stage of
lactation. In this study, udder circumferences have a
strong positive correlation (r=0.72) with daily milk
yield whereas, stature (r=0.64), rear udder width
(r=0.64), neck length (r=0.59), heart girth (r=0.53)
and teat length (r=0.52) had a moderate positive
correlation with daily milk yield of crossbred dairy
cows. To sum up, the study suggests that the
narrower and longer cows might produce more milk
and be useful for milk production selection criteria in
genetic improvement programs than wider and dipper
cows. However, future studies with large populations
and various genotype levels are required to associate
conformation with reproductive and productive traits.
Funding statement
This research did not receive any financial and
material supports.
Data availability statement
Data will be made available on request.
Declaration of interest’s statement
The authors declare no competing interests.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank dairy farm owners of
the respective study areas for their willingness and
cooperation to participate in this study and for
providing valuable information.
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