Resumen de Introduction to breeding in crossbred dual purpose heifers
Javier Goicochea Llaque, Ninoska Madrid-Bury, María Alejandra Rodríguez Urbina, Diego González Villalobos, C. González-Stagnaro
This study evaluated 21,667 observations of age (EI) and weight (PI) of introduction to service in heifers from 47 dual purpose bovine herds, located in four areas of dry and humid tropical forest environments. Effects studied were those of geographic area (Laberinto, Perija, Costa Oriental and Sur del Lago); management system: traditional (ST) and improved (SM); breed predominance (Holstein, Brown Swiss, Brahman and Carora); season of birth and of introduction to service; birth weight (PN); and weaning age (ED) and weight (PD). Mean EI was 30.9 ± 5.9 m and was earlier (P < 0.001) in Laberinto and Perija than in the other regions, in SM than ST (27.3 ± 02 vs.31.6 ± 0.01 m), and in Brown Swiss and Brahman than in Holsteins (32.0 ± 01 m). Mean PI was 353.3 ± 31.9 kg and was heavier (P<0.001) in Laberinto to (383.4 ± 1.5 kg), in SM than ST (364.6± 1.0 vs. 349.7 ± 0.5 kg), and Holstein and Brown Swiss (354.3 ± 0.7 and 357.6 ± 1.2 kg). EI was related to PI and dependent on daily weight gain (GDP); 48% of the heifers had GDP of 251 to 350 g/d an only 9.2% gained > 350 g/d. A GDP of > 350 g/d resulted in earliest EI (24.4 ± 0.4 m) and heaviest PI (375.8 ± 1.8 kg). Birth and weaning in dry season delayed EI. Lower EI and higher PI during rainy season were related to grazing conditions. At ED of < 10 m or > 10 m, EI increased (29.2 ± 0.4 to 34.6 ± 0.4 m) and PI decreased (366.2 ± 2.0 to 358.6 ± 2.0 kg); while in heifers with PD < 180 and > 180 kg, EI was 29.9 ± 0.2 and 27.8 ± 0.2 m, and PI was 353.5 ± 0.9 and 359.1 ± 1.1 kg (P<0.001). Adequate feeding management improved EI and PI results.
