Article Abstract

Volume 30, No. (2), 2020 (April)
ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE IN BODY CONDITION SCORE WITH MILK YIELD AND REPRODUCTION TRAITS OF HOLSTEIN COWS
E. Kul1*, A. Şahin1, E. Uğurlutepe1 and M. Soydaner2

1Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kırşehir Ahi Evran, Kırşehir, Turkey
2Plant and Animal Production, Daday Nafi & Ümit Çeri Vocational School of Higher Education, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey.

Corresponding Author: ertugrul.kul@ahievran.edu.tr
Page Number(s): 305-311
Published Online First: March 02, 2020
Publication Date: March 02, 2020
ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of changes in body condition score (BSC) on milk yield and reproduction traits in early (30, 60 and 90 d, mid (120 and 150 d) and late lactation (210 and 270 d) in Holstein cows raised on a private dairy cattle farm in Kırşehir, Turkey. The data were obtained from 140 cows calved from November 2014 to November 2015. BSC groups were categorized as low, moderate and high in early lactation (<2.75, 2.75–3.00 and >3.00), mid- lactation (<3.00, 3.00–3.25 and >3.25) and late lactation (<3.25, 3.25–3.50 and >3.50). Cows with low and moderate BCS in early (BCS<2.75 and BCS=2.75-3.00), mid (BCS<3.00 and BCS=3.00–3.25) and late lactation (BCS<3.25 and BCS>3.50) had a higher aily milk yield (DMY), lactation milk yield (LMY) and 305-day milk yield (305-dMY) (P<0.05). Reproduction traits were also affected (P<0.05) by BCS in mid-lactation. In mid-lactation, the cows with low and moderate BCS had a shorter period of calving to the first service interval (CFSI) and lower number of services per conception (NSC) than that of the cows with high BCS (P<0.05). Both milk yield and reproduction traits were adversely affected by high BCS. It is suggested that BCS can be used as a reliable indicator in indirect selection programs for higher milk yield and reproductive performance in Holstein cows.

Keywords: Holstein, Body condition score, Milk yield, Fertility

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Journal Impact Factor: 0.5 | (JCR Year: 2025) | Cite Score: 1.3

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Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

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