scholarly journals The effect of stocking rate and calving date on reproductive performance, body state, and metabolic and health parameters of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

2012 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 1337-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. McCarthy ◽  
K.M. Pierce ◽  
L. Delaby ◽  
A. Brennan ◽  
B. Horan
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Body State ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Health Parameters

Improving reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows by synchronising ovulation or inducing oestrus

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gy. Gábor ◽  
J. P. Kastelic ◽  
S. Pintér ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Preliminary Trial ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Considerable Promise ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Prostaglandin F

Lactating crossbred Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 331) were started on an Ovsynch regimen 68 ± 8.2 days after calving; 200 µg GnRH intramuscularly (i.m.) on Days 0 and 9, and 35 mg prostaglandin F2a i.m. on Day 7. Thirty-eight and 31 cows (11.5 and 9.4%, respectively) were in oestrus on Days 0 to 6 and 7 to 8, respectively, and inseminated, and the remainder were fixed-time inseminated (on Day 10). For these three groups, pregnancy rates (60-65 days after breeding) were 31.6, 38.7 and 34.0%, respectively (P = 0.82) and calving rates were 100, 100 and 89.9% (P = 0.23). In a preliminary trial, twelve lactating cows (45 to 60 days postpartum) with inactive ovaries were given 1500 IU eCG i.m.; 10 were in oestrus within 10 days after treatment (and inseminated) and eight of these were pregnant (30 days after breeding). The Ovsynch program resulted in acceptable reproductive performance in cyclic cows and eCG treatment has considerable promise for inducing oestrus in anoestrous cows.

An evaluation of the effect of nutritional strategy in early lactation on reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 12-12
Author(s):  
H S Gilmore ◽  
F J Young ◽  
R A Law ◽  
A R G Wylie ◽  
D C Patterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Nutritional Strategy ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
On Farm

Poor fertility is a major problem on dairy farms. On-farm studies indicate than pregnancy rates to first service have declined from approximately 55% between 1975 and 1982 to 39% between 1995 and 1998 (Royal et al., 2000), illustrating a decline of approximately 1% per year during this period. The cause is multifactorial and influenced by many factors including genetics, management and nutrition. Previous studies have reported improved fertility through nutritional modification in early lactation (Gong et al., 2002). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional strategy in early lactation on reproductive performance.

Postpartum anovulatory intervals in two genotypes of pasture-fed Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 28-28
Author(s):  
L.R. McNaughton ◽  
G.A. Verkerk ◽  
T.J. Parkinson ◽  
B. Dow ◽  
K.A. Macdonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Strains ◽  
American Genetic

In pasture-based dairying systems it is important to maintain a 365-day calving interval, which requires that cows have a rapid resumption of postpartum ovulatory activity and high conception rates. The major form of infertility in New Zealand (NZ) dairy cows is an extended postpartum anovulatory interval (ppai; Macmillan, 2002), a problem that can be exacerbated by low body condition score (BCS) at calving (McDougall, 1995). Furthermore, Holstein cows, originating from North American genetic strains (Overseas; OS), which have been widely used in NZ in recent years, have longer intervals to first mating and conceive later than do NZ strains, suggesting a possible delay in the initiation of postpartum cyclicity (Harris and Winkleman, 2000). Worldwide, there is concern over an apparent decline in the fertility of Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle (Butler et al., 1995; Royal et al., 2000). The purpose of this trial was to determine whether there was a difference in ppai and BCS between NZ and OS Holstein Friesians that may affect reproductive performance.

scholarly journals Effect of temperament on performance of primiparous dairy cows

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 863-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sawa ◽  
Mariusz Bogucki ◽  
Wojciech Neja ◽  
Sylwia Krężel-Czopek
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Milk Performance ◽  
Cattle Breeders ◽  
Culling Level ◽  
Temperament Trait

Abstract This study was designed to analyse the effect of milking behaviour (temperament) of primiparous dairy cows on their milk and reproductive performance as well as survival to the second lactation. Milk performance, reproductive performance and culling data on 12028 Polish Holstein-Friesian primiparous dairy cows were acquired from the SYMLEK database. Using the methodology of the Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Dairy Farmers, the temperament of the cows was assessed as: 1 - calm, 2 - normal, 3 - excitable or aggressive. Primiparous cows from the analysed population were characterized by averagely normal temperament and optimal milking speed. Daily and lactation yield depended (P≤0.01) on the temperament of cows. Excitable (aggressive) cows had higher daily and lactation yield compared to normal and calm cows. The temperament trait was found to correlate (P≤0.01) also with functional traits such as milking speed, survival to the second lactation, and culling level. As milking speed increased, the proportion of cows with calm temperament decreased and that of excitable (aggressive) primiparous cows increased. As the temperament score increased, so did the proportion of primiparous cows sold for further breeding. Excitable (aggressive) primiparous cows had the lowest chance of survival to the second calving.

Prediction of dairy cattle reproductive performance in pastoral feeding systems

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
J.E. Pryce ◽  
B.L. Harris ◽  
G. Verkerk
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
High Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Short Time ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Feeding Systems

As NZ milk production is predominantly seasonal and reliant on pasture growth, a high pregnancy rate within a short time after planned start of mating is essential to match feed supply to production. A Holstein-Friesian strain trial was established in Hamilton, New Zealand, to investigate the physical and financial performance of three strains of dairy cattle under a range of pasture based systems that differ in stocking rate and supplementary feeding. The three strains of cows were: Overseas High genetic merit (OS), New Zealand High genetic merit (NZH) and New Zealand Low genetic merit (NZL). The objective of this study was to predict reproductive performance from information available prior to mating, as an aid to on-farm decisions.

scholarly journals The influence of calf rearing methods and milking methods on performance traits of crossbred dairy cattle in Thailand – 2. Reproductive performance and cow body weight

2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-312
Author(s):  
N. Boonbrahm ◽  
K. J. Peters ◽  
W. Intisang
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Weight Change ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Machine Milking ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Days Open ◽  
Rearing Methods ◽  
Calf Rearing

Abstract. Forty Thai x Holstein-Friesian (HF) crossbred dairy cows (75 % and 87.5 % HF upgrade level) with calves were used in experiments to investigate restricted suckling (RS) versus bucket rearing (BR) and hand versus machine milking in Thailand. Calves were kept indoors and remained with their dams during the first 4 days and were then allocated to the RS or BS treatment. Milking was done twice daily and RS-calves were allowed to suckle for 15 minutes after milking. All experimental animals were fed according to requirements with concentrate supplements, minerals and water ad lib. This paper reports effects on reproductive performance and weight of cows. Calving to first oestrus interval in cows with RS and BR calves were 72.2 ± 2.5 and 54.7 ± 2.5 (p < 0.001), respectively, and days open 114.2 ± 6.68 and 86.5 ± 6.7 (p < 0.01). Milking method (hand or machine) had no effect on days to first oestrus and days open. Primiparous cows had a longer calving to first oestrus interval than multiparous cows (p < 0.001) (72.3 ± 2.8 vs 54.5 ± 2.3) and a longer days open period (p < 0.01) (114.4 ± 7.4 vs 86.2 ± 6.1). Body weight change of cows during the first 2 months of lactation was not affected by any treatment or systematic factor tested.

Breed effects and heterosis for productivity traits at first calving of Angus, Holstein Friesian, Jersey and crossbred beef cows

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Hickson ◽  
N. Lopez-Villalobos ◽  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
S. T. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Milk Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Positive Heterosis

Feed requirements for maintenance contribute a large proportion of the feed requirements of a beef cow so lighter cows may be more efficient producers of weaned calves, provided that such cows do not result in a comparative reduction in calf weaning weight. Beef-cross-dairy cows have increased milk yield compared with straight-bred beef cows and have the potential to wean heavier calves. Crossbred cows may also offer potential increases in production through heterosis. This experiment examined the performance of straight-bred Angus (AA), Holstein Friesian (FF) and Jersey (JJ) cows and of Angus-sired F1 crossbreds with Holstein Friesian (AF), Jersey (AJ) and Holstein Friesian-cross-Jersey (Kiwicross; AK) cows to identify breed and heterosis effects on milk intake and liveweight of calves and liveweight, reproductive performance and fatness of cows in their first lactation. Days to calving and weaning rate from first joining were similar among genotypes, but only 50% of FF cows conceived to second joining, compared with 90–98% for the other genotypes (P < 0.05). Estimated milk intake of calves was least (P < 0.05) for calves born to AA cows, and was generally similar (P > 0.05) among calves born to crossbred cows. There were positive heterosis effects between Angus and Jersey and between Angus and Holstein Friesian on milk intake of the calf. Straight-bred FF cows weaned the heaviest calves (least-squares mean + s.e.: 241 ± 5 kg; P < 0.05). Calves born to AF and AK cows were weaned at similar liveweight (229 ± 3 kg and 226 ± 4 kg, respectively; P > 0.05), and were heavier (P < 0.05) than calves born to JJ and AJ cows, which were similar (208 ± 5 kg and 215 ± 3 kg, respectively; P > 0.05). Calves born to AA cows were lightest at weaning (196 ± 3 kg; P < 0.05). Estimates of heterosis for weaning weight were 11 ± 4 kg (P < 0.01) between Angus and Holstein Friesian, and 14 ± 4 kg (P < 0.001) between Angus and Jersey. Angus-cross-dairy cows offered production advantages over straight-bred AA cows as dam lines in a terminal cross. These advantages were partially due to heterosis.

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