Resumo

GONZALEZ-STAGNARO, Carlos et al. First breeding in dual purpose heifers. Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2007, vol.17, n.1, pp.39-46. ISSN 0798-2259.

The age at first breeding (EPS) in heifers is an important parameter of reproductive efficiency; however information in dual purpose cattle (DP) is limited. The EPS and its principal risk factors were analyzed using 19.533 dates from 47 crossbred herds located in the four principal livestock zones of the Zulia State, Venezuela (9.0-11.5° NL; 28-32°C). The risks variables evaluated were: management systems: improved (SM) and traditional (ST); geographic zone: El Laberinto, Perijá, Costa Oriental and Sur del Lago; breed predominance: Holstein, Pardo Suizo, Brahman and Carora and seasons: dry and rainy season. Weights at birth, weaning and, service and daily gain weight (GDP) were considered as critical control points. The EPS data was analyzed by an analysis of variance-covariance ANOVA using the procedure GLM and the differences between means by LSMEANS of the SAS® software. EPS averaged 31.5±6.1m and was early in herds under SM than ST (28.1±0.1m vs 32.7±0.1m; P<0.001), higher in Costa Oriental than El Laberinto (36.7±0.1 vs 27.6±0.2m; P<0.001), and lowest in Brahman crossbred (30.6±0.1m) than in any other breed (P<0.001). EPS was higher in heifers born (32.1±0.1m) and weaned (30.6±0.4m) during the dry season (January-March) and breed during the rainy season (October-December) (32.4±0.2m; P<0.001), demonstrating the effect of the season in the quality of pastures. Birth weight in 68% of the female calf was < 32 kg, but it do not affect EPS. When weaning age was < 6 or > 10m, EPS was different (26.2±1.1 vs 31.4±0.3m; P<0.001). Heifers with GDP <150g/d showed higher EPS, however, when GDP >350g/d from birth-weaning and weaning-service, EPS was lower (24.9±0.4 and 23.9±0.9m, respectively). GDP were considered the principal control point of the EPS and, the risks that affected GDP will extend EPS. High EPS will delay first calving, start of lactation, genetic improvement and reproductive efficiency

Palavras-chave : Dual purpose; tropical heifers; age; first breeding; daily gain weight.