DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2018.v05i12.004

Pages: 645-650

Abstract: Reproductive performance of cattle is influenced by environmental factors such as climate, feed, and management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of Bali cattle at two different altitude areas in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, namely in Bajawa and North Bajawa Districts (1000 m above sea level) for the highland areas and West Riung and South Golewa Districts (100 m above sea level) for the lowland areas. The survey study was conducted on 59 Bali cattle which were selected by purposive sampling, with the provision of the cattle which had at least one time of calving. Primary data consisting of age of first mating (AFM), service per conception (S/C), days open (DO), calving interval (CI), and conception rate (CR) were obtained through interviews with farmers, while the fertility index (FI) was obtained through calculations involving CR, S/C, and DO data. The first mating of Bali cattle in Ngada was carried out by natural mating, while parity 2 and so on were carried out through artificial insemination. The results showed that the altitude area had no significant effect (P>0.05) on AFM, S/C, CI, and CR (AFM: 1.87 ± 0.10 and 1.90 ± 0.10 years; S/C: 1.36 ± 0.49 and 1.16 ± 0.37; CI: 457.20 ± 7.65 and 459.60 ± 12.90; and CR: 76.38 ± 14.06% and 87.85 ± 17.69%, for highland and lowland areas, respectively). The fertility index in highland and lowland areas were 29.96 and 36.67, respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) of DO between the highland and the lowland area with the results of 151.20 ± 4.15 and 161.20 ± 11.72 days, respectively. In conclusion, the reproductive performance of Bali cattle in the highland areas of Ngada Regency is better than in the lowland areas.