Infertility and abortions in the cow herd can make any breeder impatient. Infertility may be caused by several factors such as genetics, environment, herd health status, and nutrition. Among these factors, nutrition is the most controllable.
Faced with this concern, a group of researchers from the Philippine Carabao Center at the University of South Mindanao (PCC-USM) studied how animal nutrition can be improved and ultimately shorten calving interval.[2]
The researchers used a breeding calendar to determine the fertility status of lactating cows[3] to determine the period within which to provide them increased feed intake.
The study covered three periods each of which used a different feeding strategy. These feeding strategies consist of the following:
· Period 1: cut-and-carry system[4] with the buffaloes being given Napier and whenever available, corn silage;
· Period 2: cut-and-carry system with 70% grass (Napier and corn silage) plus 30% legume forage (D. rensoni); and
· Period 3: rotational grazing in established paddocks where animals were ranged in the morning after milking and given chopped grass (70% and legume forage (30%) after the afternoon milking.
Research results showed that the first period with its corresponding feeding strategy achieved a mean calving interval of almost 27 months; the second period achieved a mean calving interval of 20 months; while the third period achieved a mean calving interval of 18 months.
The study proved the importance of improved feeding and the use of a cow calendar for daily monitoring reproductive status of cows in shortening calving interval. It also validated the direct effect of nutrition to fertility in improving the reproductive capacity of the cowherds.
This and other information on research and development activities pertaining to the agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) sectors are featured in the 2009 Highlights.
A yearly publication of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, Highlights presents the research and development accomplishments of government institutions towards bringing better opportunities for our people especially in the countryside. Ricardo R. Argana, S&T Media Service
