The Reproductive Efficiency of Dairy Cattle

Abstract

A numerical method of measuring the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle has been suggested. This measure has been applied to the breeding records of the herd of dairy cows owned by the Oregon State Agricultural College during a 24 year period. In the herd studied a marked difference in reproductive efficiency between various cow groups and between breeds has been noted. A correlation of r = + .546 ± .118 was found to exist between the reproductive efficiency of the foundation cows and the mean reproductive efficiency of their respective female descendants. The study suggests that the reproductive efficiency of the foundation cow is an important factor in determining the mean reproductive efficiency of her offspring. © 1939, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.