Einfluss einer Jungviehalpung auf die Nutzungsdauer und die Leistungseigenschaften von Kühen der Rassen Braunvieh und Fleckvieh

The effect of Alpine pasturing of heifers on the later performance as a dairy cow was analyzed in 8, 541 Simmental and 32, 442 Brown Swiss animals raised on 242 alpine pastures in the years 2000 to 2005. 246, 473 Simmental and 151, 587 Brown Swiss cows without alpine grazing were used as a comparison group. Effects of birth year, herd-year-season, farm size, housing system and pasturing were considered in the analysis. High altitude grazing as heifers increases the length of the productive life by 92 days (P < 0, 001) in Simmental and by 106 days (P < 0, 001) in Brown Swiss Cattle. At the same time age at first calving is enhanced. In both breeds animals with alpine pasturing have significantly higher average milk yields in first, second and third lactation, leading to a higher life time performance of 13.6% (P < 0, 001) in Simmental Cattle and of 12.5% (P < 0, 001) in Brown Swiss Cattle. Fat percentage is decreased by 0.10% and 0.06%, respectively. Simultaneously alpine grazing tends to result in a lower fertility as heifers in both breeds, but in a reduced rate of dystocia and a lower rate of stillbirths. Also somatic cell counts in the first milk recording are significantly lower. A better overall health status caused by natural environmental stress as well as a better constitution of the animals at breeding due to restricted feeding as possible reasons for the advantage of alpine reared heifers, were discussed.