Characteristics of Lactation Curve and Reproduction in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to assess changes in the lactation activity of cows and their impact on the level of reproduction, as well as to study their fluctuations with respect to genetic and environmental factors. A sample of 807 cows of various ages was formed for the study. The cows were kept on a commercial farm in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Data from DairyPlan C21 software were used in the study. It was revealed that the parameters of the Wood lactation curve model were significantly influenced by the calving season, days open, and cow's origin; lactation persistency of cows was more influenced by environmental factors (parity, calving season, days open) than by the sire. In order to improve the level of reproduction in dairy herds, it is advisable to take into account the lactation persistency of cows, since it has negative relationship with days open (r = -0.074). To improve lactation persistency it is necessary to use for insemination of cows semen of sires with high breeding values for this trait.

Keywords

• reproduction
• parameters of lactation curve
• lactation persistency
• dairy cattle