The primipara reproductive performance of Bali cows with natural mating compared to artificial insemination

Abstract

This study was conducted to observe Bali cows’ primipara reproductive performance between natural mating and artificial insemination. Fifty Bali cows owned by 44 farmers in Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, were used as the research sample at the first mating; 19 cows were subjected to natural mating (NM) and 31 cows to artificial insemination (AI). Farmer’s profile data, rearing system, and reproductive performance (the age of puberty, the first mating, gestation period, postpartum estrus, postpartum mating, and calving interval) were obtained from the farmer’s interview and inseminator record. An independent sample t-test was performed to analyze the differences in reproductive performance between NM and AI groups. The results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in postpartum estrus (48.94 ± 12.75 vs. 82.74 ± 26.51 days), postpartum mating (59.00 ± 14.00 vs. 85.64 ± 25.45 days), and calving interval (348.57 ± 18.20 vs. 393.19 ± 31.05 days). In conclusion, Bali cows’ reproductive performance in primipara with natural mating is better than artificial insemination. So recommended that for the first mating, it is better to have a natural mating.