How can the reproductive capacity of yellow cattle be improved? Practical technical key points

Select the best and cull the inferior to improve reproductive capacity

In order to improve the reproductive capacity of cows, strict breeding selection must be carried out, selecting high-quality cows with good appearance traits, good health, a gentle temperament, good mothering ability, obvious estrus symptoms, a high conception rate at the first estrus, a short interval to the first postpartum estrus, a low miscarriage rate, and a high calving rate, among other good reproductive results. Cull inferior cattle that are small in body size, poor in maternal instinct, have bad habits, are rough-tempered, are overly nervous and sensitive, have indistinct estrus symptoms, have returned to estrus continuously more than 3 times, suffer from disease or injury or disability, are relatively old, have declining production performance, and have poor reproductive results. Through improvement and selecting the best while culling the inferior, gradually establish a herd of cows with excellent reproductive performance.

Strengthen feeding and management, and maintain good body condition of cows

If the nutritional level is too high or too low, it will have varying degrees of impact on cows' estrus, conception, embryo quality, reproductive system function, endocrine balance, and various complications during calving. Therefore, according to the different physiological characteristics of cows and the requirements of their growth and production stages, implement scientific feeding, mainly based on roughage, with a reasonable combination of concentrate feed, green feed, and roughage, strictly control body weight, promote normal estrus and mating in cows, and improve the conception rate of cows.

Shorten the empty period and improve the reproductive rate

After a cow comes into estrus, correctly judge each stage of estrus and choose the most suitable time for timely insemination and mating. According to the reproductive physiological characteristics of cattle, the most ideal is to produce 1 calf per year, and the postpartum uterus of a cow generally needs 30 days to 40 days to recover. Therefore, 40 days postpartum is a critical period for cow reproduction, and management should be intensified in a concentrated way, such as carrying out drug treatment after calving to promote uterine involution and recovery of ovarian reproductive function, providing scientific feeding and management conditions, and creating a suitable environment. If it is found that a cow still does not come into estrus 50 days after calving, the cow's health, nutritional status, ovaries, and uterus should be examined and treated in a timely manner to prevent an empty period and infertility. Drugs and other methods can also be used to induce estrus and increase the mating rate of cows.

Strengthen the feeding and management of pregnant cows and improve the calving rate

Within two months of pregnancy in a cow, the embryo is in a free state in the uterus and gradually completes the implantation process, and the fetus transitions from relying on uterine milk secreted by the endometrium for nutrition to absorbing nutrients from the mother through the placenta. If the feeding level of a pregnant cow is too low during this period, especially when the feed quality is poor, the secretion of uterine milk will be insufficient, which will affect embryonic development and cause embryonic death. For cows in late pregnancy, because the fetus grows and develops rapidly, the demand for nutrients increases greatly. If feeding is not strengthened during this period, and the nutrients in the diet are lacking or incomplete, it is very easy to cause miscarriage or premature birth in cows. If the feeding level is too high, it will cause cows to produce weak calves, stillbirths, or dystocia. Among nutrients, the satisfaction of protein, minerals, and vitamins is particularly important. Prevent feeding rotten and spoiled, excessively acidic, frost-damaged, or toxic feed and ice-cold drinking water. Pregnant cows should be managed reasonably, exercised appropriately, and strictly protected from fright, slipping and falling, whipping, head-butting, and the like. For those with a history of miscarriage, protection measures should be strengthened, and if necessary, miscarriage-preventing drugs or injections such as “progesterone” can be used to prevent miscarriage.

Scientific feeding and management to improve calf survival rate

Strengthening the feeding and management of pregnant cows, especially in late pregnancy, helps increase the birth weight and survival rate of calves. Newborn calves have no immunity. Only after they consume colostrum and the immunoglobulins in colostrum are absorbed through the intestinal tract into the blood do calves gain immunity. Therefore, the time for consuming colostrum after birth should be as early as possible. In order to reduce calf mortality and raise healthy calves, newborn calves must consume colostrum within two hours after birth and eat as much as possible. After calves are born 7 days to 10 days, they can be trained to eat concentrate feed and high-quality roughage to promote the development of the calf's gastrointestinal tract and the soundness of its functions, and to prepare for weaning in advance. Avoid calves lying on cold, damp ground and eating unclean food, prevent diseases such as diarrhea, and improve the calf survival rate.