Effect of Body Condition Score on Reproductive Performance and Chest Girth of Bali cows in Different Rearing Systems

S Said,Nahrowi Nahrowi,Muladno Muladno,R Priyanto,Dinda Ayu Permata Sari

doi:10.14334/jitv.v26i4.2886

Abstract

<p class="abstrak2"><span>Nutrition and rearing systems are some of the main factors affecting productivity of cows. Body condition score (BCS) is a method used to assess nutritional status and evaluate rearing systems of each animal. This study was done to analyze effect of BCS on reproductive performance and chest girth of Bali cow in different rearing systems. This study was conducted at the Field Station of Sekolah Peternakan Rakyat Kuamang Abadi, Bungo Regency, Jambi, Indonesia. A total of 62 heads of Bali cow with BCS of 2, 3, and 4 (scale 1-5) reared on intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems were used in this study. This study was conducted using survey and direct observation. Variables observed were as follows: BCS, calving interval (CI), days open (DO), service per conception (S/C) and chest girth (CG). Data were analyzed using simple correlation and regression analysis in SPPS, followed by descriptive analysis. Result showed that the BCS of Bali cow in different rearing systems did not affect CI, DO, S/C and CG. BCS had a weak correlation coefficient (r), with the reproductive performance of CI, DO, and S/C at 0.09, 0.09, and 0.08, respectively. In addition, the relationship between BCS and CG was highly significant, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.532. Therefore, BCS had a positive relationship with CI, DO, S/C, and CG. Moreover, BCS cannot be used as the only indicator to assess the reproductive performance of Bali cow in different rearing systems.</span></p>

Highlights

The increase in beef cattle population influenced by the calf operating system, in which smallholder farmers dominate
Bali cow with a body condition scores (BCS) of 2, which were reared in semi-intensive systems, had a shorter calving interval (CI) than those reared in intensive and extensive systems
Results showed that differences in BCS conditions had a significant effect on the chest girth (CG) (P < 0.05) of Bali cow, no differences in BCS were observed in different rearing systems (P > 0.05, Table 5)

Summary

Introduction

The increase in beef cattle population influenced by the calf operating system, in which smallholder farmers dominate. Nutrition and maintenance systems are the main factors affecting the reproductive performance of dams. Inadequate nutrition will affect energy and hormone balance, body condition scores (BCS), and reproductive performance, such as delayed puberty, sexual maturity, and reproductive development (Shin et al 2015; Bhatta & Kaphle 2020). Changes in BCS conditions are used as a practical tool to monitor energy balance, nutritional status, physiological conditions, health, and growth rate and as a selection indicator to improve reproductive performance and evaluate maintenance systems (Soares & Dryden 2011; Cornelius et al 2014; Torres et al 2015; Wang et al 2019; Souissi & Bouraoui 2020). Low BCS in cows can reduce their ability to synthesize a reproductive hormone that interferes with ovulation

Objectives

Methods

Results