The effect of skin color (black-white) proportion of Holstein cow on production parameters

The aim of this study was determination of the effect of color proportion (black/white) on reproductive performance and milk production levels. The material of study was 207 heads of Hosltein cows and records of first, second and third lactation. The two side of each animal recorded by video camera and transferred to computer than got to images per cow. Proportion black and white color counted by image processing methods. The method applied for improvement regression model to estimate effect color proportion on yield. The parameters evaluated for reproductive performance were first insemination age, time period between two calving, service period, insemination number per pregnancy and milk production parameters were lactation period, dry period, 305 days milk yield. The descriptive statistics were 16,82±0,12; 98,68±4,11; 424,78±5,49 and 1,76±0,05 determined for first insemination age, time period between two calving, service period, insemination number per pregnancy respectively, and 329,68±3,41; 59,95±0,70 and 10697,93±64,04 for lactation period, dry period, 305 days milk yield respectively for production levels. The result this study show that %100 white color cows according to %100 black color cows on positive way 698lt more than 305 days milk yield and the white color rate can be used for a selection dairy cows. Keyword: Holstein, color proportion, image processing, morphometric measurements, reproduction, milk production