The influence of calf rearing methods and milking methods on performance traits of crossbred dairy cattle in Thailand – 2. Reproductive performance and cow body weight

Abstract

Forty Thai x Holstein-Friesian (HF) crossbred dairy cows (75 % and 87.5 % HF upgrade level) with calves were used in experiments to investigate restricted suckling (RS) versus bucket rearing (BR) and hand versus machine milking in Thailand. Calves were kept indoors and remained with their dams during the first 4 days and were then allocated to the RS or BS treatment. Milking was done twice daily and RS-calves were allowed to suckle for 15 minutes after milking. All experimental animals were fed according to requirements with concentrate supplements, minerals and water ad lib. This paper reports effects on reproductive performance and weight of cows. Calving to first oestrus interval in cows with RS and BR calves were 72.2 ± 2.5 and 54.7 ± 2.5 (p < 0.001), respectively, and days open 114.2 ± 6.68 and 86.5 ± 6.7 (p < 0.01). Milking method (hand or machine) had no effect on days to first oestrus and days open. Primiparous cows had a longer calving to first oestrus interval than multiparous cows (p < 0.001) (72.3 ± 2.8 vs 54.5 ± 2.3) and a longer days open period (p < 0.01) (114.4 ± 7.4 vs 86.2 ± 6.1). Body weight change of cows during the first 2 months of lactation was not affected by any treatment or systematic factor tested. Die Rastzeit und die Serviceperiode der Kühe mit partiellem Säugen, respektive ohne Säugen der Kälber, war 72,2 ± 2,5 und 54,7 ± 2,5 (p<0,001), und 114,2 ± 6,68 und 86,5 ± 6,7 (p<0,01). Die Melkmethode (Hand oder Maschine) zeigte keinen Effekt auf die Rastzeit und die Serviceperiode. Erstlaktierende Kühe hatten eine längere Rastzeit (p<0,001) (72,3 ± 2,8 bzw. 54,5 ± 2,3) und eine längere Serviceperiode (p<0,01) (114,4 ± 7,4 bzw. 86,2 ± 6,1) als Kühe in späteren Laktationen. In den ersten 2 Monaten der Laktation verloren die Kühe 4 -5 % ihres Körpergewichtes. Es war kein Einfluss der Behandlungen festzustellen. Schlüsselwörter: Milchkühe, Thailand, Melkmethode, Reproduktionsleistungen, partielles Säugen BOONBRAHM et al.: Calf rearing methods and milking methods on performance traits of crossbred dairy cattle 304 Introduction Small holder dairy production is increasing in importance in Thailand and adequate methods for milking and calf rearing are required to secure the sustainable use of crossbred dairy cows. This paper reports results of an experiment comparing the effect of hand or machine milking and restricted suckling or bucket rearing of calves on reproduction and cow body weight of crossbred dairy cows.

Estimation of variance components for production and fertility traits in Northern Thai dairy cattle to define optimal breeding strategies

“…In an experimental analysis conducted in Thai dairy cattle (BOONBRAHM et al, 2004a) the impact of additional environmental effects like milking methods on production was investigated. Machine milking cows had a significantly higher daily saleable milk production compared with hand milking.…”

“…There is an obvious disadvantage of feeding unfermented rice straw on days open, calving interval, days of heat return and services per conception in comparison to fermented roughages or TMR, respectively. Despite climatic effects and roughage sources, the influence of calf rearing methods on fertility and body weight was discussed by BOONBRAHM et al (2004b). They found out in experiments that restricted suckling of calves compared with bucket rearing increases days open significantly.…”