THE EFFECT OF VARIATIONS IN THE INTERVAL BETWEEN CALVING AND FIRST SERVICE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF NORMAL DAIRY COWS

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Abstract
Reproductive records from 8 commercial dairy herds in a herd health scheme were examined to determine the effect of the calving to 1st service interval on breeding performance. A reduction in the 1st service conception rate was observed in cows bred within 60 days of calving. Early breeding did not appear to have any adverse effect on subsequent reproductive performance. A linear relationship between days to 1st service and intercalving interval was demonstrated. A 1 day reduction in the interval to 1st service reduced the intercalving interval by 0.86 of a day. A reduction in calving to service intervals to achieve annual calving produces high economic gains.