The effect of variations in the interval between calving and first service on the reproductive performance of normal dairy cows.

Reproductive records from 8 commercial dairy herds in a herd health scheme were examined to determine the effect of the calving to first service interval on breeding performance. A reduction in the first service conception rate was observed in cows bred within 60 days of calving. Early breeding did not appear to have any adverse effect on subsequent reproductive performance. A linear relationship between days to first service and intercalving interval was demonstrated. A 1-day reduction in the interval to first service reduced the intercalving interval by 0.86 of a day. This paper shows that a reduction in calving to service intervals to achieve annual calving produces high economic gains.