JDS
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 82 No. 12 2605-2610
© 1999 by American Dairy Science Association ®
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Reksen, O.
Right arrow Articles by Ropstad, E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Reksen, O.
Right arrow Articles by Ropstad, E.

A Comparative Study of Reproductive Performance in Organic and Conventional Dairy Husbandry

O. Reksen 1, A. Tverdal 1, and E. Ropstad 1

1 Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 8146, N-0033 Oslo, Norway

A comparative cohort study of reproductive performance in organic and conventional dairy husbandry was conducted using longitudinal data from the Norwegian National Board of Animal Production Recording from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1996. The present study is the first study comparing reproductive efficiency in organic and conventional husbandry in which characteristics such as herd size, breeding season, milk yield, parity, breed, use of artificial insemination (AI), and geographical distribution were taken into account. The organically managed cohort comprised 998 lactation periods, and the conventionally managed cohort comprised 3016 lactation periods. Both groups were similar in herd size and geographical distribution. The following reproduction variables were studied: days open, calving interval, calving to first AI interval, calving to last AI interval, and AI per cow. No consistent difference in reproductive performance was found between the cohorts before adjustments were made for milk yield, breeding season, service, and parity. After inclusion of these independent variables in the repeated measures, mixed-model analyses, reproductive efficiency of organically managed dairy cows was impaired compared with those under conventional management. In organic dairy farming, breeding efficiency was difficult to maintain in cows bred during winter. Organic husbandry proved more efficient than did conventional husbandry in converting roughage into milk. Furthermore, the average multiparity percentage was higher in organically managed cows.

Key Words: cow • dairy • organic • reproduction

Submitted on March 8, 1999
Accepted on July 22, 1999




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
P. L. Ruegg
Management of mastitis on organic and conventional dairy farms
J Anim Sci, April 1, 2009; 87(13_suppl): 43 - 55.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J DAIRY SCIHome page
E. Lof, H. Gustafsson, and U. Emanuelson
Associations Between Herd Characteristics and Reproductive Efficiency in Dairy Herds
J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2007; 90(10): 4897 - 4907.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J DAIRY SCIHome page
M. Roesch, M. G. Doherr, and J. W. Blum
Performance of Dairy Cows on Swiss Farms with Organic and Integrated Production
J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2005; 88(7): 2462 - 2475.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1999 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.