Effect of Post-Partum Body Condition Score on Fertility and Milk Yield of Friesian X Bunaji Dairy Cows
Journal Title: Journal of Animal Science Advances - Year 2016, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of body condition score (BCS) on milk yield and fertility of Friesian x Bunaji dairy cows. Calving and insemination records of sixty Friesian x Bunaji dairy cows were used to calculate the fertility traits. The fertility traits were days to first insemination (DFI), days open (DO), number of insemination per conception (NIC) and non-return rate 56 days after the first insemination (NNR56). The BCS was measured on the scale 1 to 5 with an increment of 0.25. The analysis of these parameters showed that body condition score had significant effect (P<0.001) on all the fertility traits measured. The DFI, DO and NIC decreased with increase in BCS, however, NRR56 increased with BCS. Cows with moderate BCS of between 2.5 and 3.5 had better reproductive performance and higher milk yield than those of the lower (<2.5) and higher (>3.5) BCS. This suggests that the BCS is a major factor that influences the fertility of dairy cows. Therefore, the findings in this study suggest that the optimum BCS required for high reproductive performance and milk yield of low-medium yield dairy cows of the tropics is between 2.5 and 3.5 points.
Authors and Affiliations
C. Alphonsus , G. N. Akpa , B. I. Nwagu , P. P. Barje , I. M. Sam , I. Abdullahi , H. I. Finangwai , N. P. Achi , R. Y. Olobatoke , O. Olaiya , E. Opoola
Keywords
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