Reproductive performance of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey heifers and cows maintained on a pasture-based feeding system

Abstract

Crossbreeding is regarded as a faster way than using pure dairy breeds to improve the reproductive performance of dairy cows, which is pivotal to farm income. The reproductive performances of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey (F × J) heifers and cows were compared in a pasture-based production system. Heifers were inseminated when showing signs of heat from 13 months old and cows from 40 days post calving. Using insemination records and pregnancy check results, fertility traits were derived and compared between breeds, using analysis of variance for continuous records. Age at first insemination and conception age for heifers did not differ between the two breeds, resulting in a similar age at first calving. For cows, the mean (± SE) interval from calving to first insemination was shorter for F × J cows, being 76.7 ± 2.2 days compared with 82.4 ± 2.5 days for Jersey cows. A larger proportion of F × J cows were inseminated within 80 days post calving, compared with the Jersey cows (0.70 and 0.54, respectively). Furthermore, the proportion of cows confirmed pregnant by 100 days in milk was higher for F × J cows in comparison with Jersey cows, being 0.79 and 0.66, respectively. Although the absolute number of days between calving and conception (days open) was slightly less for F × J cows in comparison with Jersey cows (104.8 ± 6.8 and 114.8 ± 8.1 days, respectively), the difference was not significant. These results indicate the potential of improving reproductive performance of Jersey cows through crossbreeding with the dual-purpose Fleckvieh.

Association between postpartum blood levels of glucose and urea and fertility of cross-bred dairy cows in Sudan

“…The results of the current study revealed poor reproductive performance of the selected dairy cows based on the standard values for fertility traits (McDowell, 1985;Hussain & Daneil, 1991;Opsomer et al, 1996;DeJarnette et al, 2007). The poor reproductive performance observed in this study is attributable to the tropical conditions of Sudan under which the cows were reared, which has already been reported in Sudan (Abdel Gader et al, 2007) and in other tropical countries such as Ethiopia (Lobago et al, 2006), Egypt (Hassanini et al, 2002;Hammoud et al, 2010), South Africa (Goni et al, 2015), and West Africa (Obese et al, 2015). It is well known that the prolonged days from calving to conception are usually due to prolonged anoestrous (Chebel et al, 2006) or increased S/C (Badinga et al, 1985) or these factors together (Gilbert et al, 2005;Bahonar et al, 2009).…”

Fertility in dairy cows and ways to improve it

“…The reproductive performance of J and H cows compared with Fleckvieh crossbreds is presented in Table 5. Goni et al (2015) found that the CFS interval was shorter for F x J cows compared with J cows, that is, 76.7±2.2 days versus 82.4 ± 2.5 days. A larger proportion of F x J cows were inseminated within 80 days post calving compared with J cows (0.70 and 0.54, respectively).…”

Effect of alternating total mixed ration and pasture feeding on the fatty acid content and health indices of Jersey and Fleckvieh x Jersey milk

“…The Fleckvieh breed has dual-purpose characteristics, producing beef and high solids milk, and has crossbreeding potential to improve the lifetime performance of dairy cows. Goni (2014) and Goni et al (2015a;2015b;2016) found higher beef production, fat and protein yields and fertility in FxJ cows than in J cows.…”