Body condition at calving and milk yield on reproductive performance of lactation holstein cows

Abstract

It was aimed to evaluate the effects of the body condition (BCS) at calving and of the change in body condition on the reproductive performance of cows postpartum. Then, 51 holstein cows, at 30 days prepartum to 150 days postpartum, were distributed, randomly, in agreement to the BCS at calving in the classes1 (BCS greater than or equal to 3,25) and 2 (BCS less than or equal to 3,0). Inside of the classes of BCS at calving, the cows were distributed as change in body condition (Category 1, equal or less than -0,50 and Category 2, equal or larger than -0,75) and according to the average of the production of milk adjusted to 3.5% to the 150 days (Group 1 = 22,61 and Group 2 = 31,65kg/day). There were no differences of BCS at calving and of production of milk adjusted to 3.5% on interval parturition first estrus, interval parturition first service, period of service, number of service / conception and gestation rate to 150 days of lactation. Cows that presented average of BCS of 3,40 and 2,79 at calving had equal postpartum reproductive performance. In relation to production of milk adjusted to 3.5%, cows with medium production of 22,61 and 31,65 presented similar results. The change in body condition did not influence the interval parturition first service, period of service and number of service / conception, but presented larger interval parturition first estrus and smaller gestation rate.