FIRST CALVING AGE EFFECT ON MILK PRODUCTION OF FRIESIAN – ROMANIAN BLACK SPOTTED COW BREED IN TRANSYLVANIAN FARMS

Obtaining higher quantitative productions, of superior quality and in maximumeconomical conditions, is determined by the high biologic material’s characteristicsand parameters. Researches carried out on a 294 heads of primiparous cowspopulation, establish the first calving age effect on the phenotypic characteristics ofthe milk production in the first lactation and its economical implications in theimprovement process of the Friesian – Black Spotted cow population, raised inconditions of private farms from 3 counties from Transylvania: Bihor, Cluj, andMures. The obtained results demonstrate the fact that the studied primiparous cowshad a first calving age that exceeds with 35-42% the average values expected andpredicted for this breed. The population was studied and structured on 5 agegroups, presenting significant differences regarding the milk production obtained inthe first and the following age groups. Starting with the 850-950 days group, themilk production had values near the average production of the primiparous cows,realized at the farm level. This indicates a prolongation of the investment periodwith unjustified economical and financial implications. The first calving age valuescan be reduced by adopting adequate technical and organizational procedures andby giving the right importance to the replacement heifers.