Reproductive performance of Horro and Horro-crossbred dairy cows in Ethiopia's subhumid tropical environments.

Abstract

Estrus detection, timing of insemination, feeding, and health care practices are all factors that can significantly affect cattle breeding efficiency and lifetime production. In Ethiopia's subhumid environment, the age at first calving, number of days open, duration from calving to first heat, and number of services per conception are economic traits that affect reproductive performance of Horro and Horro-crossbred dairy cows. Data collected at Ethiopia's Bako Agricultural Research Center between 1980-2019 was used to study the reproductive performance of Horro and Horro-crosses with Holstein Friesian and Jersey dairy cows. We identified overall mean ± standard error values of factors that affect reproductive performance, including age at first service (AFS) (29.2 ± 0.2 months), age at first calving (AFC) (39.8 ± 0.2 months), number of services per conception (NSC) (1.76 ± 0.4 months), calving interval (CI) (13.2 ± 0.3 months), days open (DO) (94.3 ± 4.3 days), conception rate (CR) (75.0 ± 1.3%), and replacement rate (RR) (28.4 ± 0.3%). The odds ratios of the 60-day and 90-day nonreturn rates (NRR) were 0.22 and 0.96, respectively. Sire and dam breed and birth period had significant (P < 0.001) effects on AFS and AFC, while season and dam parity had significant effects on CI and DO. Inconsistencies regarding feeding, heat detection, inseminator skills, insemination timing, animal health, and other husbandry practices may extend periods of AFS, AFC, CI, and DO. To optimize reproductive performance in Horro cows and Horro crossbreeds in Ethiopia's subhumid environments, improving management practices should be a priority.