Effect of suckling manipulation on postpartum reproduction in primiparous Brahman-cross cows

Abstract

The effect of suckling manipulation on postpartum reproductive performance was investigated in 106 primiparous Brahman-cross cows. Suckling manipulation treatments were 1) suckling ad libitum (SAL, n = 52) and 2) once-daily suckling (ODS, n = 54) beginning at 30 d after parturition. By 60 d after parturition, 57% of the ODS and 29% of the SAL groups, respectively (P<0.005), exhibited estrus. By 90 d after parturition, 74 and 63% of the cows exhibited estrus in the ODS and SAL groups, respectively. The pregnancy rates by 60 d were 31 and 12% in the ODS and SAL groups, respectively (P<0.005). By 90 d, 61 and 44% of the ODS and SAL groups had conceived (P<0.10). Least squares means for the postpartum interval to estrus were 57 ± 4 and 82 ± 4 d for the ODS and SAL groups, respectively (P<0.05). The least square means for the postpartum interval to conception were 71 ± 4 and 82 ± 4 d for the ODS and SAL groups, respectively (P<0.05). In summary, once-daily suckling did increase the percentage of cows returning to estrus and pregnant by 90 days. Therefore, once-daily suckling is a successful management regimen for reducing the length of the postpartum interval to estrus and to conception in primiparous Brahman-cross cows.