Dairy production of primiparous cows according to the calf’s sex

Abstract

Milk production in Brazil occupies the fourth position in the world ranking, with milk corresponding to one of the six essential products for Brazilian agriculture. The present study aimed to analyze the influence of the calf's sex at first calving on milk production (kg/milk/lactation) of cows. Using data from 43 bovine females, in which they were divided into two groups: Group I (male calving primiparous cows – MCPC) and Group II (female calving primiparous cows – FCPC). Subsequently, the data collected regarding milk production (kg of milk/lactation) were subjected to the normality test and analysis of variance, using the Tukey test. And the statistical analyses were performed using the public domain SISVAR 5.6 software. Dairy production of female calving primiparous cows (8,635.5) showed higher milk production (P < 0.05) than male calving primiparous cows (7,415.5), demonstrating in general aspects the existence of a positive effect of the sex of the calf in the milk production of primiparous cows. In conclusion, the sex of the calf creates an influence on milk production in the first lactation, where female calving primiparous cows tend to produce more milk.