Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive performance of Ankole cattle and its crossbreds with Friesian (F), Jersey (J), and Sahiwal (S). The traits (number of records) studied were calving to first insemination, CFI (797); calving to last insemination, CLI (797); conception rate, CR (4354); number of inseminations, NINS (936); and calving interval, CI (259). The overall means of intervals CFI, CLI and CI, CR, and NINS were 192, 198 and 480days, 67%, and 1.23 respectively. Breed group was significant (P<0.05) for all traits except NINS, while season of calving was significant for CFI, CLI, and CI, and season of insemination was significant for CR. The breed group AF had better CR than the purebred Ankole and AS, and AS had lower CR than AJxS and AJ. On the other hand, Ankole (and to some extent AF) had longer CFI and CLI than AJ, AS, and FF. Ankole had 54days longer CI than all crossbreds taken together. The prolonged intervals CFI, CLI, and CI observed in this study call for proper postpartum anestrus management both in terms of nutrition and calf suckling management.

Keywords

Breeds groups; Fertility; Conception rate; Calving interval

Published in

Tropical Animal Health and Production
2019, Volume: 51, number: 1, pages: 49-54

SLU Authors

• Maximillian, Manzi

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Rwanda Agriculture Board
  • University of Rwanda

• Rydhmer, Lotta

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Strandberg, Erling

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1658-8

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/98111