Abstract:

In this study, the relationships between post-calving body condition and milk yield characteristics were investigated in 55 Holstein Friesian cows. Cows were divided into two groups according to their body condition scores as the first (VKP<3) and the second group (VKP≥3). A 5-point scale system was used in body condition scoring. In the first and second cow groups, body condition score at the 1st month after calving (BS1: 2.82, 3.36), the body condition score at the 5th month after calving (BS5: 3.21, 3.57), the decrease in body condition score between the 1st month after calving (DECREASE: 1.23, 0.80), the increase in body condition score between the 1st and 5th months of lactation (INCREASE 1: 0.39, 0.21) and the increase in body condition score between the 1st and 7th months of lactation (INCREASE2: 0.93, 0.64), and milk yield characteristics differences were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Daily milk yield, lactation milk yield, 305 days milk yield, lactation period and dry period for the first and second group cows respectively; 22.35, 25.98 kg; 5572.96, 6435.18 kg; 5572.96, 6338.57 kg; 278.15, 306.68 days; 71.22 and 60.25 days were determined. While negatively correlations between milk yield traits and body condition score of dry period (DP), BS1, BS5 and BS7, positively correlations between milk yield traits and DECREASE and INCREASE2 were found significantly (p<0.05). These results show that cows having medium level body condition score in calving have better milk yield and lower incidence of metabolic diseases.

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