TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Climatic and Management Factors on Conception Rate of Dairy Cattle in Subtropical Environment
AU - Badinga, L.
AU - Collier, R. J.
AU - Thatcher, W. W.
AU - Wilcox, C. J.
N1 - Funding Information:
These studies were funded in part by a grant from Select Sires Inc., P. O. Box 370, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Authors wish to thank Bassetts Dairy, Monticello, FL, for providing records for this study.
PY - 1985
Y1 - 1985
N2 - Breeding records, representing 12,038 inseminations at Bassett's Dairy Farm (Monticello, FL), were analyzed to document effects of environmental and management factors on fertility of dairy cattle from January 1, 1975 to December 31, 1977. Conception rates of lactating cows decreased sharply when maximum air temperature on day after insemination exceeded 30°C. In contrast, conception rates for heifers did not decline until 35°C. Virgin heifers had higher conception rates for all services (50%) than lactating cows (34%) and suffered only slight depression of fertility during summer months. Heifers required 1.5 services per conception compared with 2.3 for lactating cows. Relationship between conception rate and rainfall on day after insemination was negative and curvilinear. Jerseys had higher conception rates (45%) than Holstein (39%) and Brown Swiss (41%). Services per conception were 1.7, 2.0, and 1.9. Substantial decreases of fertility were associated with advancing service number. Estrous status (standing; positive heat detection patch; mounting activity), inseminator, and year of service were related to variation of conception rate. Seasonal effects on fertility of lactating cows were marked. Thus, environmental management of the postpartum cow during hot summer months is warranted to maximize fertility.
AB - Breeding records, representing 12,038 inseminations at Bassett's Dairy Farm (Monticello, FL), were analyzed to document effects of environmental and management factors on fertility of dairy cattle from January 1, 1975 to December 31, 1977. Conception rates of lactating cows decreased sharply when maximum air temperature on day after insemination exceeded 30°C. In contrast, conception rates for heifers did not decline until 35°C. Virgin heifers had higher conception rates for all services (50%) than lactating cows (34%) and suffered only slight depression of fertility during summer months. Heifers required 1.5 services per conception compared with 2.3 for lactating cows. Relationship between conception rate and rainfall on day after insemination was negative and curvilinear. Jerseys had higher conception rates (45%) than Holstein (39%) and Brown Swiss (41%). Services per conception were 1.7, 2.0, and 1.9. Substantial decreases of fertility were associated with advancing service number. Estrous status (standing; positive heat detection patch; mounting activity), inseminator, and year of service were related to variation of conception rate. Seasonal effects on fertility of lactating cows were marked. Thus, environmental management of the postpartum cow during hot summer months is warranted to maximize fertility.
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U2 - 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(85)80800-6
DO - 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(85)80800-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 3980812
AN - SCOPUS:0021908396
SN - 0022-0302
VL - 68
SP - 78
EP - 85
JO - Journal of dairy science
JF - Journal of dairy science
IS - 1
ER -