Reproductive efficiency and reproductive diseases of a nelore cattle herd raised in the west region of Pará state, Brazil

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the reproductive efficiency and establish the incidence of reproductive diseases in Nelore (pure breed) animals via rectal palpation in cows and a retrospective survey, through property records, obtaining days open (DO) and calving interval (CI). The DO and CI observed were 224 and 510 days respectively. The reproductive indexes of DO and CI found in the present study were higher than those reported in the literature for Nelore animals raised in the Amazonian environment. The pregnancy rate was 70.7%. The most important diseases observed were pathological anestrous (36.5%) and post-calving anestrous (31.7%). The reproductive rates were more efficient in the rainy season, probably because of the better quality of pastures. The earlier identification and treatment of reproductive diseases is important to elevate the reproductive efficiency in cattle.