Aspects of Reproduction in New Zealand Dairy Herds

Abstract

Summary Records for over 28 000 cows in 316 herds serviced by the Bay of Plenty Livestock Improvement Association showed the average calving interval (CI) was 364 days (S.D. = ±31 days). Between-herd variation accounted for less than 1% of the total variation. The CI for cows conceiving to first insemination was 358 days compared to 367 days for conceptions to second inseminations, but the CI for this latter group of cows was significantly influenced by the interval between inseminations. When the between-service interval was 17 days or less the ensuing CI was 352 days, compared to 374 days for a between-service interval of 18 to 24 days. The results indicate that while the high incidence of short-return intervals to first insemination in New Zealand dairy cattle will reduce non-return rates, the factors producing these short-return intervals are not increasing CI's. The estimated intervals from calving to first service varied from 57 to 76 days. Although the A.B. service was used for an average of only 36 days, the total breeding period averaged 102 days after which time 5.4% of the cows in the herd remained empty. The regression coefficient between total breeding period and percentage of empty cows was only −0.28% fewer empty cows per extra week. While this relationship was statistically significant there was a wide variation in the percentage of empty cows among herds with the same breeding period.