Citation
Manefield, Geoffrey W.
(1985)
A field study of management and husbandry factors affecting reproductive performance of dairy cows in Malacca, Malaysia.
Masters thesis, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Abstract
The problem of poor reproductive performance and lack of
profit from smallholders' dairy cows in Malacca was addressed .
during the period July 1981 to May 1983. Performance of 290 cows
on 82 farms with varying feeding and management regimes were
studied over a period of at least one year.
Performance history and physical examination of the cows at
repetitive visits provided data which was analysed for
.significant differences (P < 0.05) in productive and reproductive
performance against variations in husbandry, and population
characteristics of cows and farmers.
Increasing parity from one to three or greater decreased
calving to conception interval mean by 4.2, median by 5.5 and for
90% of cows pregnant by 5.6 months at a level of feeding
0.5 NRC recommendations. With full feeding the corresponding
figures were 1.8, 1.7 and 2.1 (but between parity one and two
2.7, 3.0 and 4.9). Parity exerted its greatest effect between parity one and two. No increase in (milk) production peak
occurred with increase in parity.
Increase in feeding level from 0.5 to full NRC recommendations
decreased calving to conception interval mean for
parities one, two and three with three plus by 3.2, 2.8 and 0.8
months, median by 4.0, 1.8 and 0.2 and for 90% of cows pregnant
by 10.7, 9.8 and 7.2. Greatest effect of full feeding on
reproductive performance was reduction of a less fertile tail.
Field data suggests that the increase to full feeding level
would result in a milk production increase of 146% for the poorly
fed cows. Of this 18% would be due to improved reproduction, 50%
to increase in production peak and 32% to decrease in dry period
(from 7.5 to 1.8 months). The calculations are supported by field
observations.
Reproductive performance was unaffected by oestrus detection
method and A.I. versus natural mating.
Maximum production peak and best reproductive performance
was associated with optimum body condition.
Under cost/price conditi6ns prevailing, effective extension
of the facts established was able to achieve profit levels which
exceeded planned targets.
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