Reproduction of cross- and purebred Friesian cattle in northern Thailand with special reference to their milk production

• Main Authors: Pongpiachan P., Rodtian P., Ota K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0042490761&partnerID=40&md5=d716ca2aeb065f03a6ee6fc3c9da4a4d; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/405
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Reproductive data, such as numbers of days to the first estrus and A.I. service postpartum, number of days to conception, number of A.I. services required for conception, interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service and the average interval of A.I. service in Thai native-Friesian crossbred and pure Friesian dairy cows, were compiled in the National Dairy Training and Applied Research Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The data were analyzed statistically and the effect of milk production on these reproductive traits was investigated. The reproductive efficiency of purebred cows was obviously inferior when compared with crossbred animals, in spite of special care being given to the purebred only in order to alleviate the effect of a tropical climate and provide better feeding. However, the regression analysis between reproductive and lactational parameters revealed a definite antagonistic effect of lactation on reproduction, especially in the purebred cows, which had a larger amount of milk production and longer lactation period. If these effects of lactation were eliminated, there would be no evident difference in reproductive efficiency between purebred and crossbred cows in the conditions of this study. Among the reproductive parameters examined, the number of days to the first estrus and interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service were less affected by breed difference and the magnitude of lactation than other reasons.