Nutrition and fertility of high producing dairy cows
Pasture-based milk production systems in Victoria adopt tight seasonal calving pattern to utilize the abundant good quality pastures available in the spring and early summer. This requires the dairy cows to conceive by day 83 after calving. Prompt and early resumption to oestrus is necessary to achieve this goal. During the last 20 years, although average milk yield has increased calving to conception interval has steadily increased amongst Holstein-Friesian dairy cows due to a steady decline in fertility and prolonged delay in the interval between calving to oestrus. Infertility, the main reason for culling and cow wastage, is threatening the viability and profitability of the Australian dairy industry. In this project we aim to develop strategies to improve fertility of high yielding dairy cows.
Programs Available:
- Adipokines as mediators of effects of nutrition on fertility in dairy cattle
- Milk urea nitrogen and fertility in dairy cattle
Contact program supervisor for information on applying: Dr Markandeya Jois