Production potential of first calving Simmental heifers in Serbia

Abstract

Cattle production in Serbia, and especially milk production, contributes significantly to the value of total agricultural production (20%) and livestock production (45%). Achieved annual rate of milk yield increase of approx.100 kg per cow cannot adequately compensate for drastic decrease of number of dairy cattle which dropped by fifth over last decade. This is especially important from the aspect of assessment of future production quotas for milk as part of Serbia's preparation for EU accession. From the aspect of the genetic potential of dairy cattle, the most significant measure aimed at increase of milk performance in future will be execution of systematic selection-breeding work in the main population. Special attention should be directed in future to selection of parents of dairy herd, criteria for selection of heifers and their adequate rearing in sense of nutrition and housing. For the purpose of establishing of production potential of first calving Simmental cows in Serbia, data was analyzed for 37.171 Simmental cows with completed lactations in the period 2007 to 2010. Research results showed moderate trend of increase in milk performance in first calving cows - average milk production of 4.348 kg, milk fat content of 3.93% and milk fat yield of 171.1 kg. Milk performance of first calving cows in average was lower by 147 kg compared to cows in other lactations and by 1.169 kg compared to bull dams in the observed period. In analysis of bulls - most common sires of studied first-calvers, it was established that eight of ten bull sires had negative values for milk yield, which indicated the need for better cooperation and organization in work of all services which are included in selection-breeding activities in dairy cattle breeding.

Govedarstvo Srbije a posebno proizvodnja mleka značajno učestvuju u vrednosti ukupne poljoprivredne (20%) i stočarske proizvodnje (45%). Postignutim tempom rasta prinosa mleka od oko 100 kg po kravi godišnje ne može se adekvatno kompenzovati drastičan pad broja mlečnih grla koji je u protekloj deceniji opao za petinu. Ovo je posebno značajno sa aspekta procena budućih proizvodnih kvota za mleko u priprema Srbije za ulazak u EU. Sa aspekta genetskog potencijala mlečnih krava, najznačajnija mera za povećanja prinosa mleka u narednom periodu je sprovođenje sistematskog odgajivačko-selekcijskog rada u matičnoj populaciji. Izboru roditeljskih parova budućih generacija mlečnog stada, kriterijumima odabira junica i njihovom pravilnom odgoju u smislu ishrane i uslova držanja treba posvetiti primaran značaj. U cilju utvrđivanja proizvodnog potencijala prvotelki simentalske rase u Republici Srbiji analizirani su podaci 37.171 simentalskih krava koje su svoje prve laktacije zaključile u periodu od 2007-2010 godine. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su umereni trend porasta mlečnosti prvotelki sa ostvarenom prosečnom proizvodnjom od 4.348 kg mleka, sadržajem od 3,93% i prinosom od 171,1 kg mlečne masti. Mlečnost prvotelki u proseku je bila niža za 147 kg od mlečnosti krava u ostalim laktacijama i za 1.169 kg od mlečnosti bikovskih majki u posmatranom periodu. Analizom bikova - najčešćih očeva ispitivanih prvotelki, utvrđeno je da je osam od deset bikova-očeva imalo negativne vrednosti za prinos mleka što upućuje na neophodnost bolje saradnje i organizacije u radu svih službi koje obavljaju odgajivačko-selekcijski rad u mlečnom govedarstvu.