Evaluation of factors affecting number of services per conception for Sahiwal x Friesian crossbred cattle in Kenya

Abstract

The mean number of services per conception is based on data from served cows and is an estimate of fertility in dairy herds. Artificial insemination data for 1380 cows (2000 to 2021) from KALRO- Naivasha dairy herd under the artificial insemination program were analyzed using a mixed linear model. The effects of parity of cow, sire used, month, time (AM and PM), and year of insemination were evaluated. The individual animal was included in the evaluation and was fitted as a random effect. The parity (p<0.0001), sire used (p<0.0001), year (p<0.0001) and month of insemination (p<0.01), and individual cow effect (p<0.0001) were found to be significant factors influencing the number of services to conception. The season and time of insemination either in the morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) were not significant (p ≥ 0.05). The average number of services per conception per parity was 2.3. The analysis of the findings highlights that conception rates are influenced by multiple environmental factors, emphasizing the need to consider these factors when implementing strategies to enhance cow fertility. Strategies that can reduce the number of services per pregnancy would reduce the number of animals culled for infertility and therefore eventually reducing on production costs. Investigation of other factors reflecting on health, general management, and bull factors would further contribute to improving overall cow fertility for Sahiwal X Friesian Crossbreds in Kenya.