Study on the calving ease of cows from the Aberdeen Angus and the Limousin cattle breed reared in Вulgaria

Svetoslav Karamfilov

Abstract: The present study examines the calving ease of 175 cows of the Aberdeen Angus and 243 cows of
the Limousin cattle breed, reared in 14 farms in Bulgaria. The cows from the Aberdeen Angus cattle
breed have a relatively easy delivery with an average rate of 1.43 ± 0.071, and those of the Limousin
cattle breed mark 1.57 ± 0.085. In general, the breed does not directly affect the feature examined.
It does have a direct effect, however, (p < 0.001) within the scope of the subsequent lactation. More
difficult deliveries requiring assistance or veterinary aid with reference to both breeds studied are
reported during the first and second consecutive lactation. The calving ease regarding the Aberdeen
Angus is influenced by the order of lactation (p < 0.001), the father (p < 0.001), (p < 0.01); the origin
of the cows (p < 0.01) and the origin of the father (p < 0.01). When it comes to the Limousin, the same
feature is influenced by the order of lactation (p < 0.001), (p < 0.01), the father (p < 0.05) and the origin
of the father (p < 0.05). It was ascertained that the daughters of bulls from the Aberdeen Angus cattle
breed with Dutch and Irish origin and those of bulls from the Limousin cattle breed with French origin
had the easiest calvings reported.

Keywords: Angus; bulls; calving; Limousin; veterinary aid

Date published: 2020-09-16