Correlation between Gestation Period and the Calf Sex in Dairy Cows

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the correlation between the gestation period and the sex of calves as the result of artificial insemination in dairy cows reared by smallholder farmers. Purposive sampling was used in this survey study as the research methodology. A total of 45 heads of dairy cows were observed. A statistical t-test and correlation analysis were used to assess the data. The finding revealed that male to female calves had a sex ratio of 44.44% and 55.56%, respectively. The average gestation period of the dam with male calves (284.45 ± 4.82 days) was longer (p<0.05) compared to the gestation period of the dam with female calves (281.12 ± 5.70 days). There was a correlation between the gestation period and the calf sex with a correlation coefficient of 0.311 (P<0.05). In conclusion, the gestation period of dairy cows at smallholder farmers in this study has a low correlation with the sex of calves born.