University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Gappmaier, S; Gruber, L; Terler, G; Schauer, A; Rover, M.
(2021):
Effect of first calving age and genotype on growth performance and milk yield of cattle
ZUCHTUNGSKUNDE. 2021; 93(5): 346-361.
- Abstract:
- The calf and heifer rearing for herd replacement generates high costs. With a more intensive rearing period, it is possible to reduce the first calving age and also the cost intensive rearing period. The following experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of intensive rearing on growth, milk yield and lifetime performance. On 16 agricultural schools a total of 171 female calves was divided immediately after birth into two groups, whereby a high and low feeding intensity should generate a first calving age of 24 vs. 28 months (FCA24 vs. FCA28). The growth rates of group FCA28 and FCA24 were rather similar. The higher amount of concentrate during the rearing period in group FCA24 did not lead to higher growth rates. In comparison to group FCA24, the extended rearing period of group FCA28 led to a higher live weight and body measurements at the time of first calving. This growth advantage persists for the whole lifetime (with exception of the stature), whereby the difference became lower in time. In first lactation, the milk yield of group FCA24 was lower in tendency and at the second or rather the third laktation the milk yield was higher than in group FCA28. Regarding the lifetime performance there was no difference in milk yield between the two different FCA groups.
- Authors BOKU Wien:
- Gruber Lisa
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- cows
- first calving age
- heifer rearing
- growth rate
- lifetime performance