Communication Dans Un Congrès Année : 2025

Association between growth profiles of Holstein heifers and their longevity

Résumé

In many studies, early calving is more profitable than late calving in Holstein dairy heifers. However, with a first calving at 24 months old, the growth profile might influence subsequent performance and longevity. The association between Holstein heifers’ growth profiles and their future longevity was analyzed in present study. Data originated from 3 French experimental farms and included heifers born from 2000 until 2019. Only animals firstly inseminated before 19 months of age and weighed at least 5 times from birth to 19 months of age were kept in the analyses. Growth profiles were then determined on 1217 Holstein heifers. Insemination and successive calving dates, 305 days milk yield, 305 days fat plus protein and culling date were available. Growth profile groups between birth and 365 d of age were established using a principal component analysis (PCA) on 6 variables: body weight (BW) at birth, at 70 d, at 120 d, at 180 d, at 275 d and at 365 d of age. Then, a hierarchical ascendant classification was performed on the axes 1 to 3 of the PCA. Four types of growth profiles were identified. Heifers in the slow-growth profile had a later age at first calving and a lower first calving rate compared with heifers in the high growth profile (+43 d and -3 points, respectively). These animals also presented a lower 305d milk yield and 305d milk solids yield during lactation one (-697 kg and -48 kg, respectively). However, percentage of second lactating cows did not differ among growth profiles. All profiles had similar performance regarding age at culling, length of productive life i.e; from 1st calving to culling, and lifetime milk yield. Growth profile affected performance during early life (before 1st and during 1st lactation) but not longevity. However, results from present study confirmed that achieving higher growth performances from birth to one year of age is of interest in Holstein dairy heifers, since age at first calving is reduced, and both first calving rate and first lactation productivity are improved.

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Dates et versions

hal-05273072 , version 1 (22-09-2025)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-05273072 , version 1

Citer

Charlotte Dezetter, Yannick Le Cozler, Luc Delaby, Guylaine Trou, J. Jurquet. Association between growth profiles of Holstein heifers and their longevity. 76. Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP), EAAP, Aug 2025, Innsbruck, Austria. pp.243. ⟨hal-05273072⟩
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