Role Of Nutrition In Reproductive Performance And Fertility Of Animals

Continuous development in breeding, genetics, and animal nutrition as well as the use of technology and advanced management tools are facilitating the livestock sector more efficiently. As a result, production and efficiency have improved significantly in Pakistan over the past decade.

In dairy farming, cattle reproductive performance impacts milk production and, therefore, farm profitability and sustainability. A healthy, active and well synchronized reproductive system ensures continuous milk production for years (305 days out of 365 every year). For continuous milk production a cow must have a calf every year. To achieve that target quality nutrition and better management is vital that help to develop a healthy and well synchronized reproductive cycle.
Animal genetics, cow management such as housing and nutrition are key factors that can influence reproductive activity. Implementation of all aspects of these factors is important to achieve excellent reproductive

performance. Implementation of nutritional programs that control nutrient deficiency or excess of energy, will help to enhance reproductive performance. Requirements of water, protein, energy, vitamins and minerals for development of standard reproduction system are same as required for maintenance, growth and production.

Nutritional status of cattle may affect the reproductive order in terms of:

Heat cycle `
Conception rate
Fetus growth
Parturition

Heifer development:

Implementation of an appropriate nutrition program is essential for growth and development at the initial stage of life. Adequate amount of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals plays an important role in better growth, reproductive organ development and healthy weight gain of heifers in order to achieve the required weight for puberty in targeted time slot.
When puberty occurs and the heat cycle begins is determined by weight of heifers rather than their age. In well-fed heifers usually, sexual maturity occurs and heifers show their first signs of heat when they have reached recommended body weight (about 40% of mature body weight) at about 11th month of age. However, environmental stress (especially in tropical

areas), health issues and malnutrition in the early age of calves and young heifers may delay puberty of heifers and heat signs may not appear before 14 to 15 months of age. At the time of first insemination a heifer should weigh about 60% of her mature body weight. For example, if the mature cows’ average weight is about 550 kg, the heifer should weigh 330 kg. Dasan 21 Dairy Heifer is best dairy heifer feed in Pakistan, especially designed for heifers’ development program. It is an excellent blend of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals which are essential nutrients for heifer growth, development, and standard weight gain at recommended age.
Cow Management
Energy is the vital nutrient along with protein, vitamin and minerals required by cow and has a significant impact on milk production as well as reproductive performance. Negative energy balance may extend anovulation period. Insufficient nutrition during pregnancy may lead to fetus malformation, premature birth and weak calves. Imbalance nutritional status (deficiency or excess of nutrients) causes fat cow syndrome, displaced abomasum, postpartum anestrus, dystocia, retained placenta, ketosis milk fever and other complications pre, post and during parturition resulting low milk production and infertility in upcoming days. Dasan feeds that are best dairy feeds in Pakistan, has a wide range of quality nutrition for milking and dry cattle. Dasan feeds are designed to provide nutrients required for better milk production, maintaining body condition score and enhanced reproductive system as well as help to prevent prepartum and postpartum disorders like dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, milk fever and other calving problems.

Dasan feeds provide appropriate level of energy, protein, vitamin and minerals. Adulate protein and energy level improves milk production and optimize the fertility, healthy growth of fetus and better calf weight at birth. Minerals and vitamins also play a vital role in efficient reproductive functions. Vitamins and minerals effect cattle fertility directly or indirectly and improve the cow’s ability to give birth to a healthy calf. A balanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus helps to reduce chances of milk fever at calving. Vitamins provide effective control against shortened gestation periods, abortion, and birth of weak and uncoordinated calves.

Important for the dairy industry is to provide sustainable breeding environment and well balanced quality nutrition to develop a healthy reproductive system to get the optimum milk production as per their genetic potential and characteristics, in their life cycle. A future of sustainable dairy farming can be developed with efficient reproduction with the contribution of Dasan cattle nutrition. Furthermore, regular monitoring to detect health and performance changes related nutrition that lead impairment of reproductive performance.
Dasan Feeds always deliver safe and quality products for better nutrition management and sustainability of dairy farming, as Dasan feeds firmly believes that sustainability and betterment in animal production and reproduction means sustainability of profitable dairy industry.
If you have any query ann want more information, please contact dairy and nutrition experts of Dasan feeds.