The impact of reduced mobility score in the pre-breeding period on the fertility of dairy cattle in a seasonally breeding pasture-based system

Abstract

The impact of reduced mobility score on the fertility was assessed in 130 cows on a split-calving pasture-based New Zealand farm. For this research the 130 cow autumn-calving herd was analyzed. The breeding season of 9 weeks consisted of 6 weeks AI followed by 3 weeks of natural mating. Forty cows had a locomotion score (LCS) of 2 or 3 for more than 2 times during the prebreeding period. Nineteen of these cows did not get pregnant in the breeding season. There was found a significant relation between average LCS and not getting pregnant in the breeding season and there was found also a significant relation between more than 2 times LCS 2 or 3 during the prebreeding period and not getting pregnant in the breeding season. There was found no significant relation between more than 4 times LCS 2 or 3 during the prebreeding period and not getting pregnant in the breeding season.