Effect of the breeding season and stocking rate on the reproductive performance of beef cows

Authors

  • Paulo Roberto Leme Instituto de Zootecnia, Divisão de Zootecnia de Bovinos de Corte, Nova Odessa, SP
  • Celso Boin Universidade de São Paulo, ESALQ, Piracicaba, SP
  • Romeu Fernandes Nardon Instituto de Zootecnia, Estação Experimental de Zootecnia de Andradina, SP

Keywords:

breeding season, stocking rate, beef cows, reproduction

Abstract

In this trial, carried out at the Estação Experimental de Zootecnia de Andradina, SP, the effects of the breeding season (November-January vs. April-June) and of the stocking rate (1,6 vs. 2,0 cows/ha) on the reproductive performance of Nellore cows over 3 consecutive calvings were studied. The number of cows per treatment was 21, all pregnant at the begining of the trial. The pastures were fertilized with 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year, and the forage availability was estimated at three months intervals. The breeding season affected (P < 0,01€™ the weight of the cows at breeding time (387,378, 433 and 449 kg respectively for November-January with low and high stocking rates and April-June with low and high stocking rates), at calving (in the same order, 398, 301, 439 and 446 kg) and at weaning (426, 409, 390 and 372 kg). An effect of stocking rate (P < 0,01) was also observed in this last. The calves weaning weight was lower (P < 0,01) for the April-June breeding season (167, 157, 141 and 128 kg) and also lower (P < 0,01) for the 2,0 cows/ ha stocking rate. The number of calvings (77, 56, 63 and 74) was only affected (P < 0,01) by the stocking rate in the November-January breeding season.

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Published

2014-01-29

Issue

Section

ANIMAL REPRODUCTION

How to Cite

Effect of the breeding season and stocking rate on the reproductive performance of beef cows. (2014). Bulletin of Animal Husbandry, 46(1), 133-141. http://35.198.24.243/index.php/bia/article/view/777

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