REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE THE AGE AT PUBERTY AND POSTPARTUM ANESTRUS IN DUAL-PURPOSE CATTLE
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Keywords
male effect, reproductive strategy, calving interval, suckling
Abstract
Objective: Share technical aspects and recommendations to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle.
Design/methodology/approach: A review of scientific publications was carried out to show the importance of some factors that limit reproduction, as well as management strategies to increase the reproductive potential in dual-purpose cows.
Results: Strategic supplementation and selection of females with greater weight gain at weaning and at one year of age reduces the age at puberty. The duration of postpartum anestrus is reduced by weaning calves at a few days or weeks of age, restricting suckling to short periods of the day, delaying suckling, and exposing cows to a bull a few days after postpartum. On average, the combined effect of delayed suckling and exposure of cows to a bull reduces postpartum anestrus to less than 50 d and the calving-conception interval to 84 days. Milk production and calf weight gain also are improved without affecting postpartum weight changes in cows.
Study limitations/implications: Extensive management of dual-purpose cattle reduces the intensive use of some reproductive biotechnologies commonly applied in other animal production systems.
Findings/conclusions: Improvement in the reproductive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle can be achieved by reducing the age at puberty and postpartum anestrus by using reproductive management strategies and minor modifications to common management practices.