Reproductive performance and survival of Chinese Holstein dairy cows in central China

Fertility and longevity, major factors affecting the economic performance of dairy herds, are influenced by management and genetics. This study determined the reproductive performance and survival of Chinese Holstein cows in a large, modern dairy farm in central China using two complementary datasets. In Dataset 1, fertility and culling records were obtained from 1430 cows calving in 2008; in Dataset 2, all calving episodes during 2005 and 2006 were recorded (n = 1540) and the subsequent survival and reasons for death or culling of all female calves born during this period were monitored. In Dataset 1, the mean ages at first breeding and first calving for heifers were 18.7 ± 2.6 and 29.3 ± 3.6 months, respectively. Cows (lactations 1–10) were first inseminated at 110 ± 49 days after calving (mean ± s.d.), conceived at 185 ± 103 days and required 2.3 ± 1.6 services per conception with a first service conception rate of 34%. Reproduction performance was lower in the first lactation, with the best fertility in autumn-calving cows. In Dataset 2, 601 live-born heifers were monitored from birth until first calving. Of these, 521 (87%) were inseminated at least once and 502 (84%) calved once, but only 68% of the starting population calved successfully for a second time. The main reasons for culling in both datasets were poor fertility, disease and lameness. Improved management strategies to avoid calving cows in the spring and so offset the adverse effects of summer heat stress together with increased emphasis on selection for good fertility and conformation traits would increase future profitability.