Factores que afectan la vida útil de vacas doble propósito / Factor affecting the useful life of dual-purpose cows

RESUMEN

Objetivo. Determinar el efecto de factores no genéticos y de grupo racial, sobre la vida útil (VU) de vacas doble propósito. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó información de 2098 vacas, que incluyó a todas las hembras que ingresaron a servicio y salieron del sistema productivo. La VU se cuantificó como el total de partos al salir del rebaño. Los efectos incluidos en el modelo fueron hacienda (H AG, VV), año de primer parto (A1P 1995-2006), época de primer parto (E1P Enero-marzo, abril-mayo, junio-agosto, septiembre-diciembre) grupo racial (GR C, 50C50E, ML) y las interacciones HxGR y A1PxGR. Resultados. La media de VU fue de 2.63 partos ± 0.07. Todos los factores tuvieron efectos altamente significativos (p<0.01) sobre VU, menos H. Es interesante resaltar que las interacciones HxGR y A1PxGR fueron altamente significativas (p<0.01) indicando que los grupos raciales se comportan diferente en cada hacienda y en el transcurso de los años. Conclusiones. Los efectos no genéticos y de grupo racial tienen una alta influencia sobre VU.

ABSTRACT

Objective. Determine the effect of non-genetic factors and breed group, on the useful life (UL) of dual-purpose cows. Materials and methods. Records from 2098 cows were used in the analysis which included all the females who entered to the reproductive program and were culled or died. The data came from two dual-purpose commercial herds located in the basin of the Lake of Maracaibo in Trujillo State. The UL was quantified in number of calving upon culling. The parameters included in the model were herd (H AG, VV), year of the first calving (Y1C 1995-2006), season of the first calving (S1C January-March, April-May, June-August, September-December), breed group (BG Zebu, 50%Zebu50European; ZE, Milking Crossbred; MC) and the interaction HxBG y Y1CxBG. Results. The UL average was 2.63 (0.07) calvings. All the factors had highly significant effects (p<0.01) on UL, however, H did not affect UL. It is interesting to highlight that HxBG and Y1CxBG interactions were highly significant (p<0.01) indicating that breed groups behave differently in every herd and during the course of the years. Conclusions. Non-genetic factors and breed group have a high influence on UL.