Reproductive and milk production traits of Holstein Friesian cows in pre-organic and organic dairy husbandry in Turkey

The study was aimed to describe changes caused by conversion to organic dairy farming in Turkey, focusing on reproductive and milk production traits. The data used in this research were obtained from reproductive and milk records of Holstein Friesian cows reared in a private organic dairy farm. The results revealed that cows under organic management had shorter days open and calving interval values compared with cows reared under pre-organic system. Actual and 305 days milk yields of cattle in organic system were greater than these of cows in pre-organic system. Lactation duration was also significantly influenced by farming system and calving season, but days dry was not affected by none the non-genetic factors. © Medwell Journals, 2008.