Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya
The use of imported semen within the Holstein-Friesian cattle population in Kenya has contributed to increased milk production per cow, however, information on how this has impacted on functional traits, particularly early life survival and reproductive performance is scarce. This study evaluated ag...
| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
Springer
2009
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/38 |
| _version_ | 1855533736223834112 |
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| author | Menjo, D.K. Bebe, B.O. Okeyo Mwai, Ally Ojango, Julie M.K. |
| author_browse | Bebe, B.O. Menjo, D.K. Ojango, Julie M.K. Okeyo Mwai, Ally |
| author_facet | Menjo, D.K. Bebe, B.O. Okeyo Mwai, Ally Ojango, Julie M.K. |
| author_sort | Menjo, D.K. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | The use of imported semen within the Holstein-Friesian cattle population in Kenya has contributed to increased milk production per cow, however, information on how this has impacted on functional traits, particularly early life survival and reproductive performance is scarce. This study evaluated age at first calving (AFC), survival to age at first calving, and survival to four years of age using survival analyses techniques, in Holstein-Friesian cattle on four dairy farms in Kenya. The heritability estimate obtained for AFC was 0.15 ± 0.06 for an average AFC of 1058 days. Animals sired by New Zealand and Australian born bulls had the earliest average AFC (907 days). On average, 25% of all the heifers born were culled prior to attaining a first calving, while 34% were culled prior to four years of age. Though the highest proportion of losses was due to unspecified reasons, the relative risk of being culled was highest when an animal had a specific disease, and the first 60 days of life were the most critical for survival. Daughters of sires from South-Africa and Israel tended to have better survival rates than those sired by bulls originating from other regions. Unfavourable selection towards animals sired by Kenyan born bulls was evident. The economic implications of the high rate of early mortality need to be evaluated in order to assist livestock producers make informed decisions on choice of sires for breeding. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace38 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2009 |
| publishDateRange | 2009 |
| publishDateSort | 2009 |
| publisher | Springer |
| publisherStr | Springer |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace382023-12-08T19:36:04Z Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya Menjo, D.K. Bebe, B.O. Okeyo Mwai, Ally Ojango, Julie M.K. cattle dairy farms imported semen culling The use of imported semen within the Holstein-Friesian cattle population in Kenya has contributed to increased milk production per cow, however, information on how this has impacted on functional traits, particularly early life survival and reproductive performance is scarce. This study evaluated age at first calving (AFC), survival to age at first calving, and survival to four years of age using survival analyses techniques, in Holstein-Friesian cattle on four dairy farms in Kenya. The heritability estimate obtained for AFC was 0.15 ± 0.06 for an average AFC of 1058 days. Animals sired by New Zealand and Australian born bulls had the earliest average AFC (907 days). On average, 25% of all the heifers born were culled prior to attaining a first calving, while 34% were culled prior to four years of age. Though the highest proportion of losses was due to unspecified reasons, the relative risk of being culled was highest when an animal had a specific disease, and the first 60 days of life were the most critical for survival. Daughters of sires from South-Africa and Israel tended to have better survival rates than those sired by bulls originating from other regions. Unfavourable selection towards animals sired by Kenyan born bulls was evident. The economic implications of the high rate of early mortality need to be evaluated in order to assist livestock producers make informed decisions on choice of sires for breeding. 2009-02 2009-10-30T08:38:11Z 2009-10-30T08:38:11Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/38 en Limited Access Springer Menjo, D.K.; Bebe, B.O.; Okeyo, A.M.; Ojango, J.M.K. 2009. Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production (The Netherlands). v. 41(2). p. 171-181. |
| spellingShingle | cattle dairy farms imported semen culling Menjo, D.K. Bebe, B.O. Okeyo Mwai, Ally Ojango, Julie M.K. Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya |
| title | Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya |
| title_full | Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya |
| title_short | Analysis of early survival of Holstein-Friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in Kenya |
| title_sort | analysis of early survival of holstein friesian heifers of diverse sire origins on commercial dairy farms in kenya |
| topic | cattle dairy farms imported semen culling |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/38 |
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