ChileanJAR

Several production parameters were measured, as an evaluation of the potential capacity of imported dairy cattle heifers in sample of 40 pregnant animals, selected at random among producers and brought into the experiment station previous to their parturition. They were grazed in one group with ample forage supply, fed 3 Kg/day of concentrate and had permanent access to a salt mixture.
The following values were observed: overage body weight of cows at first calving 415 ± 15,6; birth weight of calves 36 and 35 respectively. Sixteen percent of heifers réquired assistence at parturition. Average length per lactation 230 ± 16 days, with an average production of 2.070 ± 100 Kg, that corrected into a 305 days length basis corresponds to 2.690 Kg and to 3.470 Kg on a mature equivalent basis. Lactation curve is peculiar in the sense that peak production occurs at 4 weeks instead of 8 weeks as it is considered normal.