Characterization of the lactation curve in a specialized dairy production system in Facatativá Cundinamarca: preliminary results

Abstract

Specialized production systems dairy cattle in Colombia are characterized by the use of animals with high genetic potential and feeding systems that maximize dry matter intake, looking for high levels of production per cow. At the animal level, this production follows a pattern called the lactation curve. This pattern is governed by physiological and nutritional aspects. In the case of specialized dairy systems in the Sabana de Bogotá, few works have studied the lactation curve of cows, for this reason, the objective of the work is to characterize the lactation curve of cows in a specialized dairy production system. located in the municipality of Facatativá (Cundinamarca) and to evaluate the effect of breed and lactation number on the format and parameterization of the curve. Preliminary analyzes allowed to identify a biphasic pattern in the lactation curve. The study will allow to better characterize the lactation curve pattern in specialized dairy systems in Colombia to later generate management strategies to improve production.