Changes in production and reproduction traits in population of the Slovak Spotted Cattle

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the analyses of the trend in the numbers of dairy cows, production and reproductive traits in the population the Slovak Spotted cattle for period 2010 to 2019. The number of Slovak Spotted dairy cows is maintained on a relatively stable level in recent years. There was a decrease in the number of animals (12 428 in 2010), but not as strong as after 1990 (85 518). From 2017 number of animals is rising from 14,062, to 14,150 (2018) and 14,627 (2019), respectively. As compared to 2010 an increase of 13.15% in 2017, 13.86% and 17.68%, in 2018 and 2019 respectively was observed. Population size raised from 113.15% (2017) to 117.68% in 2019 respectively. The average annual increase in milk production between the years 2010 to 2019 was + 157.5 kg of milk (total 1,575 kg of milk), + 5.8 kg of fat (total 58 kg of fat) and + 6.1 kg of protein (total 61 kg of protein). Positive growth of milk production in recent years is slightly comparable with the trend of breeding improvement.

Effect of grazing on lifetime performance and longevity of Holstein and Slovak Spotted cattle

“…Both 305-day milk yield and milk yield per day of life in Slovak Spotted cows were similar to these traits in Jersey cows (Boothby et al, 2020) and markedly higher than in Syrian Shami cows (Almasri et al, 2020). An increase of 305-day milk yield agreed with findings of Bujko et al (2020) for cows of the same breed. With respect to tendency in shortening of productive life, the progress in lifetime milk performance traits is probably because of changed breeding strategies.…”

Lifetime performance and longevity traits in Slovak Spotted dairy cows in dependence on feeding system

“…Milk yield of Slovak Spotted dairy cows has been increasing in recent years (Bujko et al, 2020). In addition to average 305-day milk yield, lifetime milk yield and longevity traits are of the highest economic importance.…”