Reproductive Performance of Holstein Friesian Dairy Cows in a Tropical Highland Environment

Abstract

Any genetic improvement in dairy cattle requires information on reproductive performance in the given population. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of non-genetic factors on reproductive performance traits of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle maintained under tropical highland environment. The data used in this study included records of cows that calved between 1979 and 2013. The overall least squares mean of Age at First Calving (AFC), Calving Interval (CI), Days Open (DO) and Number of Service Preconception (NSC) were 39.42 ± 0.41, 469.19 ± 7.88, 179.89 ± 6.82 and 1.9 ± 0.05, respectively. All sources of variation parity sire origin and period have significant effect on most reproductive traits considered. In general, in this study the reproductive performance of Holstein Friesian cows under tropical management condition were poor. This calls a planned technical and institutional intervention to improve the efficiency of reproductive performances through accurate heat detection, timely insemination, adequate feeding for growing heifers, and proper management of postpartum reproductive problems are assumed the best intervention of choice to enhance the replacement rate of the herd and enable possible selection among the existing small herd supporting local AI bull provision of crossbreeding program.