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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(7)

Heifer fertility on commercial cattle properties in the Northern Territory

T. J. Schatz A B and M. N. Hearnden A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Primary Industries Fisheries and Mines, PO Box 3000, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: tim.schatz@nt.gov.au.

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(7) 940-944 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08057
Submitted: 25 January 2008  Accepted: 26 March 2008   Published: 20 June 2008

Abstract

The performance of heifers at their first (maiden heifers) and second matings (first lactation heifers) was recorded between 2003 and 2008 to establish current heifer fertility levels on 14 commercial cattle properties in the Northern Territory (NT). Pregnancy rates in maiden heifers (joined first at ~2 years of age) were generally adequate (>75%) to produce enough pregnant replacement breeders. Pregnancy rates in first lactation heifers were often very low (<20%) due to the low liveweight of heifers between calving and weaning. However on properties where first lactation heifers were in good condition at this time, pregnancy rates were high (>70%). Calf loss between pregnancy diagnosis and weaning in first lactation heifers was often high (>30%). The average of the calf loss figures from all the herds studied was 22%.


Acknowledgements

This project was funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and the NT DPIFM. The authors also wish to thank the owners and managers of the properties on which data was collected for their co-operation, assistance and hospitality. Also special thanks to the NT DPIFM staff who assisted with data collection, especially S Leigo, B Gill, A Bubb, T Oxley, K McCosker, T Cowley and S Streeter.


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