Avaliação do desempenho produtivo e reprodutvo de vacas leiteiras mestiças (holandesa e gir) antes e depois de serem manejadas no sitema de manejo “compost barn"

Abstract

In Brazil the main type of dairy production system is pasture-based, because the climate favors the growth of grazing pastures. However, such climate doesn’t always favor the cattle itself, especially due to thermal stress, and that’s the main reason why so many dairy cattle farmers are migrating to the Compost Barn (CB) system. The present research main goal was to compare productive and reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows, Holstein and Gir, managed on pasture-based or CB systems. Dairy cows (n = 112) were evaluated, one lactation period before and one after the start of the CB system. The parameters analyzed were milk production, corrected to 305 days of lactation, and days open. The days open decreased from 104.92 days to 84.46 days after cows been introduced to the managed at CB system (P = 0,02), although the milk production corrected to 305 days of lactation has remained the same (P > 0,05). In conclusion, crossbred dairy cows managed in a more comfortable environment have better reproductive performance, without increasing the milk production.