Abstract

BODAS, R.; LOPEZ-CAMPOS, O.  and  MANTECON, A.R.. Parda de montaña replacement heifers: nutrition and productive performance. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2009, vol.58, n.222, pp.309-312. ISSN 1885-4494.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of level of nutrition on development and reproductive performance of replacement beef heifers. 108 Parda de Montaña heifers (9 months initial age) were allocated to 3 groups: low (grass hay ad libitum), medium (grass hay ad libitum + 3 kg concentrate/animal and day) and high (grass hay and concentrate ad libitum) level of nutrition. Body weight was recorded along experimental period. After 9 months, heifers were inseminated and all the groups received the same diet. Heifers and their calves were weighed after parturition on two calving seasons. Groups receiving concentrate showed greater weight (p<0.05) and average daily gain (p<0.05). However, these changes did not cause affect fecundity, calving interval and calves' birth weight (p>0.1).

Keywords : Growth; Reproduction; Fecundity; Puberty.

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