Reproductive management strategies to reduce postpartum anestrus in dual-purpose cattle

Resumen

Objective: To share technical aspects and recommendations to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A review of scientific articles published in journals was carried out to show the importance of some factors that limit reproduction, as well as to identify management strategies to increase the reproductive potential in dual-purpose cows.

Results: The duration of postpartum anestrus is reduced by weaning calves at a few days or weeks of age, restricting suckling to short periods of the day, delaying suckling, and exposing cows to a bull during postpartum. On average, the combined effect of delayed suckling and exposure of cows to a bull reduces postpartum anestrus to less than 50 d and the calving-conception interval to 84 days. Milk production and calf weight gain also are improved without affecting postpartum weight changes in cows.

Study Limitations/Implications: Extensive management of dual-purpose cattle reduces the intensive use of some reproductive biotechnologies commonly applied in other animal production systems.

Findings/Conclusions: Improvement in the reproductive efficiency of dual-purpose cattle can be achieved by reducing the postpartum anestrus by using reproductive management strategies and minor modifications to common management practices.