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Observations on reproductive processes in dairy cattle and their relation to breeding efficiency¹

University of Wisconsin

Abstract

That shorter calving intervals are important in obtaining the highest average daily production from a cow has been suggested by previous work at the Wisconsin Experiment Station. In order to obtain short calving intervals, however, it is necessary for cows to return to breeding condition within a short time after the previous calving. Evidence points to a great amount of variability existing in the length of time required for the resumption of breeding activity. With all the variation, on the basis of existing records, there does appear to be a tendency for each cow to have a characteristic interval after calving before coming into oestrum.

Studies of breeding records from two herds have indicated that on the average 60 to 70 days elapse between calving and the first succeeding heat period. These records were from herds in which the plan was to record all heat periods, but the management practice was to wait until three months or more after calving before breeding.

¹ Paper from the Department of Genetics, Agricultural Experiment Station University of Wisconsin. No. 206. Published with the approval of the Director of the Station. This work was supported in part by a grant from the Graduate School.