Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identify non-genetic parameters affecting the milk yield traits of Simmental cows raised in subtropical climate conditions. Records on 1904 lactation events of Simmental cows (N=706) during 2001-2014 were included in this study. A generalized linear model was used to investigate the effect of non-genetic factors (calving year, season, and age; lactation number; birth type; and calf sex) on real milk yield (MY), adjusted 305-d lactation milk yield (305-d MY), adjusted mature-age 305-d lactation milk yield (305-d MAMY), lactation length (LL), and dry periods (DP). The MY, 305-d MY, 305-d MAMY, LL, and DP were 6413.04kg, 6060.30kg, 6871.21 kg, 329.88d, and 57.67d, respectively, in Simmental cows. The effects of calving year, birth type, and calf sex on MY were significant (P<0.05). Calving year, calving age, birth type, and calf sex had significant effects on 305-d MY (P<0.05). The 305-d MAMY was significantly affected by calving year, birth type, and calf sex (P<0.05). In conclusion, based on the findings of the present study, the milk yield traits of Simmental cows raised at subtropical climate conditions with ideal feeding and management strategies was in accordance with world standards.
Highlights
The Simmental cattle breed is one of the oldest and most widespread of all cattle breeds in the world, with total numbers estimated to be between 40 and 60 million worldwide, more than half of which are found in Europe (Huyghe et al., 2014)
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of non-genetic factors on the milk yield (MY), 305-d MY, 305-d MAMY, lactation length (LL), and dry periods (DP) of Simmental cows raised in subtropical climate conditions
Records on 1904 lactations of 706 Simmental cows raised in a private farm in Çorum province from January 2001 to December 2014 were utilized in this study
Summary
The Simmental cattle breed is one of the oldest and most widespread of all cattle breeds in the world, with total numbers estimated to be between 40 and 60 million worldwide, more than half of which are found in Europe (Huyghe et al., 2014). Simmental cows have been raised for both meat production and milk production in different regions of the world for over 100 years. Simmental cattle production systems can vary in Bolacali and Öztürk accordance with the demands of the consumer, profitability, and local and global market conditions. The milk yield of cows has a major impact on the profitability of dairy farming. Both genetic and non-genetic factors affect the milk yield of cows. Non-genetic factors include feeding (nutrition), housing, and management conditions; climate, including ambient temperatures; calving year, season, and age; number of lactations; body weight; estrus; number of pregnancies; disease; and milking frequency and duration. The effect of non-genetic factors on milk yield has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In addition to improving animal genetics, the importance of optimum environmental conditions in enhancing animal production is recognized (Cunha et al, 2008; Alpan and Aksoy, 2015)
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