Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXIII, Issue 2
Written by Svetoslav KARAMFILOV, Vasil NIKOLOV
The aim of the present study is to ascertain the reproductive capacity of the cows of the Montbeliard cattle breed during the adaptation period in the initial stage of the breed introduction in Bulgaria. The study involves 1,222 cows, which is relatively new in Bulgaria, reared in 16 farms. In our country rearing conditions, the Montbeliards reach average first calving age of 31.6 ± 0.19 months. It is observed that the cows born in Bulgaria have calved earlier when compared to those born in France- respectively 30.9 ± 0.32 and 32.7 ± 0.38. The farm, father, year and month of birth have a significant effect on the age of first calving. The average duration of the calving interval of the animals examined is 453±20 days. We have ascertained that of all factors considered, the farm, year and month of calving have the biggest influence on the calving interval. The rank correlation of the farms in terms of duration of the calving interval and the first calving age is positive and high enough (+0.618).
[Read full article] [Citation]
