Research Article

Correlations between milk yield in primiparous PHF cows and selected lifetime performance and fertility indicators as well as reasons for culling

Ewa Januś, Danuta Borkowska

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 11(2), 2012, 23‒32

Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between milk yield in primiparous cows and their subsequent productivity, length of productive life, and reasons for culling. The analysis included 386 Black–and–White Polish Holstein–Friesian cows (PHF–HO) culled from the dairy herd during a 9–year period on one farm. Cows which had high milk yield in their first lactation were also found to be more productive in subsequent lactations. However, high milk yield in the first lactation may be associated with significantly shorter lifespan and productive life, as well as lower lifetime milk yield. The length of intercalving periods was not significantly associated with first lactation productivity. As milk yield increased, a lower proportion of cows culled for sterility and other reproductive disorders was observed, while a higher percentage of cows were eliminated for udder diseases.

Keywords: culling, length of productive life, lifespan, primiparous cows