Effect of genetic merit and concentrate feeding on reproduction of grazing dairy cows in a subtropical environment

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of genetic merit for milk production and concentrate feeding on the intervals to the onset of postpartum cyclic ovarian activity, first insemination, and establishment of pregnancy. Other factors considered included biochemical measures of energy balance, liveweight, and measures of production. A farmlet study was conducted with two lines of cattle that differed in Australian Breeding Value by 735 L milk and 47 kg of fat plus protein that were fed 300 or 2000 kg of concentrate per cow per year in a subtropical grazing system based on ryegrass, clover, and kikuyu pasture. Milk yield was higher in cows fed 2000 kg of concentrate per cow per year (23.6 L/d) than those fed 300 kg/cow per year (18.2 L/d), and cows of medium genetic merit (19.6 L/d) produced less milk than those of high genetic merit (22.2 L/d). Plasma glucose concentration was lower in the cows of high genetic merit (3.11 mmol/L), than in the cows of medium genetic merit (3.39 mmol/L). The cumulative probabilities of ovulation, insemination, and establishment of pregnancy by any day postpartum were determined by a Weibull distribution. Medium genetic merit cows in winter were more likely to ovulate by any day postpartum than in summer and more likely than high genetic merit cows in either summer or winter. The cumulative probability of insemination was lower in primipara than multipara and in summer than in winter. Primiparous cattle had a lower cumulative probability of pregnancy by any day postpartum.