Relationship between the body condition and the main judgement characteristics of Holstein-Friesian cows

Mikó, Edit and Szabó, Ákos and Gráff, Myrtill: Relationship between the body condition and the main judgement characteristics of Holstein-Friesian cows. Review on agriculture and rural development, (3) 1. pp. 182-186. (2014)

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Abstract

The objectives of this study were to estimate correlation between body condition score (BCS) and 5 main conformation parameters in Holstein cattle. The dataset consisted of 861 first-, 964 second-, and 634 third lactation cows. During the analysis of final class the details of the cows were grouped according to the BCS at classification (2-3 point, 4 point, 5 point, 6-8 point). The results of these groups were compared to the results within the number of lactations. The correlation examinations were also analysed within the lactation groups. The data were analyzed by the method of variance. The relationship between variables was examined with correlation analysis tests (Pearson's correlation coefficient). The values of the body score changed between 77.58 and 84.23., correlation ranged from 0.06 (third lactation) to 0.20 (first lactation). The correlation analysis confirmed a positive, medium tightness in the relationship between the body condition and the legs, (between r=0.19 and r=0.31) within the lactation groups. When investigating the relationship between the body condition and the dairy strength. We found a negative correlation between these two characteristics. The correlation analysis confirmed only a loose correlation (r=0.03 and r=0.13 between the udder score and the body condition. When examining the final class it was again the scores of the cows with the weakest condition that were the lowest. These results show that classification should be made later, probably in the 5th or 6th month of the lactation.

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