Given the recent increases in feed cost, the demand for rice straw has been increasing on dairy farms because it is cheaper than expensive imported forages. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effect of rice straw feeding on the growth and productivity of dairy heifers. This study compared how feeding tall fescue and rice straw affects the growth, age at first calving, and feed cost of heifers. we compared the growth, age at first calving, and feed cost for each group during the breeding period. Body height was higher in the tall fescue-fed group than in the rice straw-fed group (p<0.05). The length of the growing stage was significantly shorter in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.001) and the age at calving also showed a significant reduction in the tall fescue group compared to the rice straw group (p<0.001). However, the feed cost was lower in the rice straw group because of the difference in the unit price of forage (p<0.001). Based on these results, during the growing period, the rice straw group had delays in growth and the age at first calving compared to the tall fescue group, but also had reduced feed costs in the short term.

This study was performed to investigate immune changes by comparing the proportion and function of immune cells in the blood under high-temperature period and convalescence temperature period in Holstein dairy cows. The experiment was conducted using Holstein dairy cows of five animals per group (60 ± 20 months old, 175 ± 78 non-day) from the National Institute of Animal Science at high-temperature period (THI: 76 ± 1.2) and convalescence temperature period (THI: 66 ± 1.3). Complete blood count results showed no change in the number of immune cells between groups. In the analysis using Flow Cytometry of PBMCs, no significant differences were observed among B cells, Helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and γδ T cells between groups. However, there was an increase in Th17 cells producing IL-17a, while Th1 cells decreased during the convalescence temperature period. The results of gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR in PBMCs revealed an increase in IL-10 during the convalescence temperature period, while a decrease in HSP70 and HSP90 was observed. In conclusion, the increased expression of IL-10 and the decrease in HSP expression suggest the possibility of a weak recovery from heat stress. However, the lack of observed changes in B cells, T cells, and other immune cells indicates incomplete recovery from heat stress during the convalescence temperature period.

본 연구는 2019년부터 2021년 9월까지 수집된 홀스타인 젖소 19,930두의 자료를 수집하였으며, 3 SD (Standard Deviation, SD) 범위에서 벗어나는 이상치를 제외한, 8,675두를 분석에 이용하였다. 자료분석은 Statistical Analysis System (SAS) 9.4 software를 사용하였고, 뒷유방높이, 뒷유방너비, 유방깊이, 유두길이 및 유두둘레의 실측치를 사용하였다. 그리고 뒷유방높이, 뒷유방너비, 유방깊이, 유두길이 및 유두둘레의 실측치와 산차, 305일 유량, 비유단계 및 착유속도의 환경요인의 효과를 추정하였다. 산차와 유량이 증가함에 따라 뒷유방너비, 유두길이 및 유두둘레의 실측치는 유의적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며(p < 0.0001), 비유단계에 따라서 뒷유방너비 및 유방깊이의 실측치는 비유단계가 증가할수록 유의적으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다(p < 0.0001). 각 환경효과에 따른 유방형질 실측치의 표현형 상관의 결과에서는 뒷유방너비와 유방깊이 실측치가 산차 및 유량수준에 대해 높은 상관을 나타냈으며, 특히, 유방형질 중 유방깊이 실측치와 산차에 대해 -0.40 ~ -0.67로 높은 음(-)의 상관을 보였다. 본 연구 결과로 미루어 볼 때, 유방형질이 유생산에 밀접한 관련이 있는 만큼 중요한 형질로 취급되어야 하며, 이들의 기초연구와 함께 유전적 특성을 구명하는 등 더 많은 연구가 수행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of heat-stressed environment on rumen microbial diversity in Holstein cows. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured and rumen fluid was collected under normal environment (NE; Temperature humidity index (THI)=64.6) and heat-stressed environment (HE; THI=87.2) from 10 Holstein cows (60±17.7 months, 717±64.4 kg) fed on the basis of dairy feeding management in National Institute of Animal Science. The rumen bacteria diversity was analyzed by using the Illumina HiSeq™ 4000 platform. The rectal temperature and respiratory rate were increased by 1.5ﾟC and 53 breaths/min in HE compared to that in NE, respectively. In this study, HE exposure induced significant changes of ruminal microbe. At phylum level, Fibrobacteres were increased in HE. At genus level, Ruminococcaceae bacterium P7 and YAD3003, Butyrivibrio sp. AE2032, Erysipelotrichaceae bacterium NK3D112, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Lachnospiraceae bacterium FE2018, XBB2008, and AC2029, Eubacterium celulosolvens, Clostridium hathewayi, and Butyrivibrio hungatei were decreased in HE, while Choristoneura murinana nucleopolyhedrovirus, Calothrix parasitica, Nostoc sp. KVJ20, Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047, Fibrobacter sp. UWB13 and sp. UWB5, Lachnospiraceae bacterium G41, and Xanthomonas arboricola were increased in HE. In conclusion, HE might have an effect to change the rumen microbial community in Holstein cows.

TMR 급여와 분리급여가 반추위 메탄발생량 변화에 미치는 효과를 연구한 사례가 많지 않다. 본 실험은 1일 실험사료를 체중의 1.8%(실험 1) 그리고 2.4%(실험 2) 수준에서 급여 하면서 triplicated 2×2 Latin square design을 이용하여 실험을 수행하였다. 각 실험에는 6마리의 Holstein steer를 이용하였고 2개의 군으로 나누어 각각 TMR 급여 또는 분리급여를 하였다. 공시 사료의 농후사료와 조사료 비율은 73% 그리고 27%이었다. 두 실험 모두 사료급여 방식 간의 1일 메탄발생량 차이가 없었다. 현재까지 보고된 국내 연구와 본 연구에서 얻어진 개체 별 1일 건물섭취량과 1일 메탄발생량과의 관계를 분석한 결과, 메탄발생량 (g/d) = 11.5 (±1.3) × 건물섭취량 (kg/d) + 14.2, R2 = 0.73, p<0.001의 회귀식을 유도하였다.

본 연구는 홀스타인 젖소 201,327두의 1산에서 5산까지의 검정기록 총 388,747개를 이용하여 유생산 형질에 대한 유전모수를 추정하고자 수행되었다. 1산차의 검정기록이 전체자료의 51.8%를 차지하였으며, 산차가 증가할수록 검정기록의 수는 현저히 감소하였다. 1산차의 유량, 유지방량과 유단백량에 대한 유전력은 각각 0.28, 0.26과 0.23으로 추정되었으며, 산차가 증가할수록 유전력은 일괄적으로 감소 하였다. 유량, 유지방량, 유단백량에서 산차간 유전상관계수의 범위는 0.83~1.00, 표현형상관계수의 범위는 0.21~0.51로 유전상관계수보다 항상 낮게 추정되었다. 연간 표현형 개량량은 유량, 유지방량과 유단백량에서 각각 121.50kg, 4.45kg과 4.65kg, 연간 유전적 개량량은 각각 13.70kg, 0.33kg과 0.36kg이었다.

The present experiment was designed to investigate the effects of extruded linseed supplementation on methane production in Holstein steers. Four Holstein steers fitted with permanent cannulas were assigned to two dietary treatments in a duplicated 2 × 2 Latin square design: a control diet consisting of tall fescue straw (65%) and concentrate (35%), and a treatment diet supplemented with 3.8% extruded linseed by replacing a part of ingredients in the concentrate of the control diet. The concentrates of the control and the treatment diet were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. Extruded linseed supplementation did not affect dry matter intake but significantly (P<0.05) increased the intake of lipid. Rumen pH was significantly (P<0.05) lower for control than for treatment. Although there was no significant difference between treatments, the concentration of total VFA in control was 21% higher than in treatment. The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid were not different between treatments. Extruded linseed supplementation significantly (P<0.05) reduced methane output(g/d) and emission factor. Methane conversion rate was lower for treatment than for control but no significant difference was found. The results of the present study showed that extruded linseed supplementation in the diet of Holstein steers could reduce methane output.

임신 전 젖소의 육성기 후반에 있어서 적정한 에너지와 단백질 급여 관리는 개체의 성장과 분만 후 유생산에 영향을 미친다. 본 연구는 육성기 후반의 적정 TDN:CP 비율을 결정하기 위하여 생후 15개월 령에 5.0:1(T1), 4.5:1(T2) 및 4.0:1(T3)의 비율로 급여하여 체중, 사료섭취량 및 혈액조성에 대하여 조 사하였다. 건물섭취량은 평균 8.07kg/day로 TDN: CP 비율에 관계없이 유사하였다. 단백질 섭취량은 TDN:CP 비율이 낮아짐에 따라 각각 1.45, 1.29 및 1.17kg/day로 감소하였으나 유의적 차이를 보이지 않았다. 증체량은 4.0:1 비율구가 유의적으로 가장 많이 증가하였으며, 평균 일당증체량도 0.74kg/day 로 가장 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 60일 이후 모든 처리구의 일당증체량이 권장 수준을 충족하였으나, 4.0:1 비율구(1.28kg/day)에서 과잉 체지방 축적이 될 수 있는 수준이기 때문에 임신 및 번식과 관련하 여 주의해야 한다. 육성우 15~18개월령에서 상기의 모든 TDN:CP 비율은 혈액 조성에 큰 영향을 미치 지 않았다. 체중과 출산 및 비유 등을 고려했을 경우 4.5:1에서 5.0:1의 비율이 적합하고, 출산 시기가 가까울수록 에너지 단백질 비율을 5.0:1까지 높여주는 것이 바람직할 것으로 판단되었다.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of vitamin or mineral supplements on the conception rates of dairy heifers when replacing the last injection of GnRH with hCG in ovsynch protocol (experiment 1) and also to investigate whether the estrus synchronization treatment in the heifer stage affects the conception rates after 1st parturition (experiment 2). In experiment 1, 50 heifers were randomly assigned into 3 groups: 20 heifers each in groups 1 and 2, and 10 in group 3. All three groups were treated with an intramuscular injection of GnRH on day 0 (day 0 = the day of program start), PGF2α on day 7 and hCG on day 9, and were inseminated on day 10, 12~16h after hCG injection. In group 1 (vitamin group), the heifers were treated with an intramuscular injection of 5 ml of vitamin-ADE 500Ⓡ, and group 2 (mineral group) was treated twice with an intramuscular injection of 30 ml of mineral supplement-LAPTOVETⓇ on a one-week interval beginning on the day of hormone treatment (day 0 and day 7 respectively). Group 3 (control) was treated only with hormones. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography through a rectal probe. First service conception rates (FSCR) and average services per conception (ASPC) were recorded for all subjects. Of the total 50 heifers, 6 (2 in group 1, 3 in group 2, and 1 in group 3) heifers were eliminated due to accidents during experiment 1. FSCRs were 58.8% (10/17), 66.7% (12/18) and 44.4% (4/9) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. ASPCs were 1.53±0.72, 1.27±0.59 and 1.63±0.74 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Although there were no significant difference between the groups, relatively good results (higher FSCR and lower ASPC) were obtained in both group 1 and 2. In experiment 2, 11 primiparous cows from group 2 of experiment 1 in heifer stage which had been treated both with the hormones for estrus synchronizing and mineral supplements (ES group), and 12 primiparous cows treated only with minerals (non-ES group) were compared to examine the effects of estrus synchronization program on conception rates after 1st parturition. Following the examination, postpartum ASPCs were 1.55±0.82 and 2.17±1.47 in ES group and non-ES group, respectively. The postpartum average days open (ADO) were 116±56 and 197±93 in ES group and non-ES group, respectively. Although there were no significant difference between the two groups, desirable results (lower ASPC and shorter ADO) were found in ES group after 1st parturiton. In conclusion, experiment 1 indicates that vitamin or mineral supplement with ovsynch protocol may have some positive effect on FSCR and ASPC of dairy heifers, and in experiment 2, ES program in heifer stage had a positive effect on ASPC and ADO following 1st parturition.

The objective of this study was to determine how feeding forage and concentrate separately (SF) or as a total mixed ration (TMR) affects enteric methane production of cattle. Six Holstein steers (203 ± 22.5 kg) were used in a 2 × 3 changeover design experiment. Experimental diets (TMR and SF) consisted of compound feed, timothy hay and soybean curd residue in a ratio of 40:48:12, respectively, and diets were fed at 10% of metabolic body weight, on an as-fed basis. There were no differences in dry matter intake and enteric methane production (g/d) between SF and TMR but the methane conversion rate (methane energy/GE intake) of TMR was significantly higher (p=0.05) than that of SF. The mean methane emission factor (kg/head/year) and conversion rate of the two treatments were 21.4 and 0.05, respectively. There was a strong relationship between metabolic body weight and enteric methane production (p<0.001). At the present time, further studies may be necessary in order to establish the effects of TMR and SF on enteric methane production.

본 연구는 홀스타인 거세육우(총 18두, 생후 4개월령, 체중 160kg)의 성장단계별 농산부산물 TMR 사 료의 에너지 수준(T1, TDN 75~84%; T2, TDN 77~85%)과 출하월령(18, 20 및 22개월)별로 배치하여 각 출하월령별 등심과 우둔육의 육질 및 관능특성을 조사하였다. 등심육의 경우 근내지방함량은 처리구 1은 22개월령 그룹이, 처리구 2는 20개월 및 22개월령 그룹이 유의적으로 가장 높았다(P<0.05). 우둔 육의 경우 처리구 1과 2가 모두 22개월령 그룹이 근내지방 함량이 가장 높았다(P<0.05). 처리구 2는 18개월령 그룹이 단백질 및 수분함량이 유의적으로 가장 높았다(P<0.05). 콜라겐 함량은 처리구 모두 출하월령간에 유의적인 차이가 없었다(P>0.05). 육질특성에서 등심육은 처리구 1의 경우 보수력, 전단 력, 가열감량, 육색에 있어서 급여기간 그룹간 유의적인 차이가 없었다(P>0.05). 처리구 2에서는 보수 력만 18개월과 20개월령 그룹이 가장 높았다(P>0.05). 우둔육은 처리구 1의 경우 보수력, 전단력, 가열 감량, 육색의 백색도에 있어서 급여기간 그룹간 유의적인 차이가 없었으며 단지 육색에서 적색도와 황 색도만 22개월령이 가장 높았다(P>0.05). 처리구 2의 경우 18개월령 그룹이 보수력이 가장 높았고 전 단력은 가장 낮았으며 가열감량은 18개월과 20개월령 그룹이 낮았다(P<0.05). 관능특성에 있어서 등심 육의 경우 처리구 1은 18개월과 20개월령이 연도점수가 높았고 20개월령 처리구가 향미 및 전반적인 기호도 점수가 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05). 처리구 2는 연도, 다즙성, 향미 및 전반적인 기호도 점수 모두 20개월과 22개월령이 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05). 우둔육의 경우 처리구 1은 연도가 18개월과 20 개월령이 유의적으로 높았고 전반적인 기호도는 20개월령이 유의적으로 높았다. 처리구 2는 18개월령 이 연도만 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05). 결론적으로 홀스타인 거세육우는 농산부산물 TMR 사료를 22개 월령까지 급여한 그룹이 근내지방도는 높았으나 육질 및 관능특성은 18개월령 또는 20개월령이 더 우 수하였으므로 이러한 점을 고려하여 출하하는 것이 바람직할 것으로 생각된다.

The objective of this study was to identify the phenotypic relationships among calving difficulty, calf birth weight and gestation length of Holstein dairy cattle under the environment of Korea. A total of 1,834 calving records collected by Dairy Science Division of National Institute of Animal Science, RDA from 2000 to 2014 was analyzed. General linear multivariate models for calving difficulty scores (CD: 1=no assistance, 2=minor assistance, 3=two to three persons assisted, 4=more than three persons assisted, 5=cesarean section), calf body weight at birth (BW), and gestation length (GL) included fixed effects of year and season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) of births (YS), sex of calves, and parity. For GL and BW, all three fixed effects (YS, sex of calves, parity) were significant (p<0.05). For CD, the effects of YS and sex of calves were significant (p<0.05). Bull calves were born with heavier BW by 3.18 kg, with greater CD by 0.18 point and with longer GL by 0.6 days than heifer calves. The least squares mean of BW was the heaviest at the third parity (44.1 kg) compared to those at the first, the second and the fourth parities or later (41.3-41.9 kg). The least squares mean CD at the first parity was 1.74 point, which was higher than CD at the second and later parities (about 1.68 points). Phenotypic correlation (partial residual correlation) between GL and BW was 0.36. But those between GL and CD and between BW and CD were -0.03 and 0.04, almost zeros. To conclude, we observed higher incidence of calving difficulty in the first calving than in the later ones. Further investigation on the relationships between calf’s birth weight and calving difficulty is needed

Raising replacement heifers is important aspect of dairy farm management that can be characterized as a long-term performance and high-cost production period. This study was investigated the effect of month of age at the first pregnancy on calving difficulty of Holstein heifers. Heifers was inseminated with semen of easy-calving sire and the reproductive performance was compared for the effect of first pregnancy at 12-14 months of age (12 month old), 15-16 months of age (15 month old), 17-19 months of age (17 month old) and > 20 months of age (20 month old) in Holstein heifers. Holstein heifers showed different easy calving score (ECS) depending on their ages; frequency of ECS 1 was 55.2%, 64.9%, 59.4% and 52.0% at 12, 15, 17 and 20 month of age, respectively. Frequency of ECS 4 was 5.2%, 1.8%, 6.3% and 4.8% at 12, 15, 17 and 20 month of age, respectively. The rates of retained placenta postparturition in first pregnancy age category was 12.3% at 12 months of age, 5.3% at 15 months of age, 9.4% at 17 months of age and 19.0% at 20 months of age. When It was evaluated by present results, the reproductive performance like easy calving score (ECS), retained placenta rates, and abortion and stillbirth rates of heifers which was inseminated at 14 months old or less and at 17 months old or more was reduced. Therefore, the first pregnancy age for optimum reproductive performance was 15-16 months.

본 연구의 목적은 육우 송아지 출하월령(3, 6, 9, 12개월) 조건에 따른 채끝등심(m. longissimus lumborum)과 꾸리육(m. tricep brachii)의 이화학적 육질 특성 및 지방산 조성에 미치는 특성을 비교하여 송아지고기의 상품성을 조사해 보고자 수행하였다. 채끝등심육과 꾸리육 모두 출하월령이 증가됨에 따라 수분 함량은 감소하였던(73.20~79.23%) 반면에 단백질(19.51~23.13%) 및 지방(0.76~1.99%) 함량은 증가하였다. 육색의 경우 두 부위 모두 출하월령이 증가됨에 따라 L*값(30.62~43.81)은 감소하는 반면에 a*값과 b*값은 증가하였다 (P<0.05). pH는 채끝등심육은 3개월령(5.96)이 꾸리육은 3개월(5.67) 및 6개월(5.73) 령이 다른 출하월령들 보다 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05). 미오글로빈 함량은 채끝등심과 꾸리육 모두 출하월령이 증가할수록 증가하였다(P<0.05). 전단력을 측정한 경과 채끝등심육 은 3개월령(5.94 kg)과 12개월령(4.34 kg)이 6개월(9.16kg) 및 9개월령(9.57 kg) 보다 유의적으로 낮았으며, 꾸리육은 3개월령(2.83 kg)이 9개월 (4.47 kg)령 보다 유의적으로 낮았다(P<0.05). 가열감량은 채끝육의 경우 출하월령간에 유의적인 차이가 없었으나 꾸리육은 다른 출하월령들 보다 12개월(28.37%)령이 낮았고 3개월(36.55%)령이 높았다(P<0.05). 한편 채끝등심과 꾸리육은 모두 12개월령이 근절길이가 길었고 보수력이 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05). 지방산 조성을 분석한 결과 채끝등심육은 3개월령에 C18:2n6, C20:1n9, 총 다가불포화지방산 (PUFA), 포화지방산에 대한 다가불포화지방산의 비율(PUFA/SFA) 및 오메가-6(ω-6) 지방산 함량이 유의적으로 높았고 12개월령에는 C16:1n7, C18:1n9, 총 단가불포화 지방산(MUFA), 총 포화지방산에 대한 총 단가불포화 지방산의 비율(MUFA/SFA) 지방산 함량이 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05), 꾸리육의 경우 3개월령에 C20:1n9 함량이 높았고 12개월령에는 C14:0, C18:1n9, 총 단가불포화지방산(MUFA) 및 총 포화지방산에 대한 총 단가불포화 지방산의 비율(MUFA/SFA) 함량이 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05).

반추위 pH 조정제로서 일반적으로 중조가 많이 사용되고 있으나 사료에 중조의 첨가량을 증가시키는 경우에 기호성을 저하시키는 경향이 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 사료의 기호성에 영향을 미치지 않으면서 반추위 완충효과를 나타내도록 개발된 액상형 완충제의 젖소사료 첨가제로서의 이용효과를 구명하기 위하여 수행되었다. 시험축으로 착유 중기 젖소 27두를 공시하였으며, 처리는 대조구와 중조 첨가구, 그리고 액상형 완충제 첨가구로 하여 처리별 9두씩 배치하였다. 대조구는 착유우용 자가배합 TMR 사료를 급여하였으며, 중조 첨가구는 대조 사료에 중조를 두당 1일 150g 추가하여 급여하였고, 액상형 완충제 첨가구는 같은 방식으로 액상형 완충제를 두당 15㎖ 추가하여 사양시험을 수행하였다. 시험결과 산유량은 대조구, 중조 및 액상형 완충제 첨가구의 경우에 각각 23.82, 23.91, 24.91kg으로 대조구에 비하여 액상형 완충제 처리구에서 다소 증가하는 경향이었으나 처리 간에 뚜렷한 유의 있는 결과를 보여주지는 않았다. 처리에 따른 유성분 변화에서는 유단백질 및 무지고형분에서 액상형 완충제를 첨가한 경우에 대조구에 비해 유의 있는 증가(p < 0.05)를 보여주었고, 유지율에서도 대조구에 비하여 처리구가 다소 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 혈액성분 중 포도당과 콜레스테롤은 대조구에 비해 액상형 완충제의 첨가구에서 다소 증가하였으나, 처리 간에 유의 있는 차이를 나타내지는 않았다. 따라서 개발된 액상형 완충제의 추가급여 시 생산성 증대, 특히 유성분 증가 효과가 있어 반추위 pH 조정을 위하여 일반적으로 이용되고 있는 중조를 대체하여 반추동물의 사료첨가제로 이용이 가능할 것으로 평가되었다.

본 연구는 젖소의 분만계절에 비유곡선 모수를 추정하고, 추정된 비유곡선 모수를 이용하여 우리나라 젖소의 비유특성에 대한 기초자료를 제공하고자 실시하였다. 자료는 2009년부터 2011년까지 분만한 1산차 14,189두의 농협중앙회 검정자료를 이용하였으며, 비유곡선 모수는 Wood 모형을 적용하여, SAS 9.2 NLIN Procedure를 이용해 추정하였다. Wood 모형으로 추정 된 비유곡선 함수는 봄, 여름, 가을 및 겨울 분만에 대해 각각 yt=17.1726t0.2074e-0.00243t, yt=17.4108t0.1868e-0.00206t, yt=16.1367t0.2171e-0.00224t 및 yt=15.7759t0.2378e-0.00258t이었다. 봄, 여름, 가을 및 겨울의 분만에 대한 추정최고유량과 최고유량도달시기는 각각 32.55 kg, 84.70일, 31.53 kg, 90.99일, 32.21 kg, 96.51일 및 32.95 kg, 90.20일 이었다. 겨울의 분만이 여름의 분만보다 추정최고유량이 높았다. 또한 봄의 분만이 다른 계절보다 최고유량도달시기가 더 빨랐다.

Presently, the first pregnancy age of dairy heifers attended National Dairy Herd Improvement Program (NDHI) in Korea has increased, and more research have been requested to evaluate the possibility of decreasing the first pregnancy age of dairy heifers. Accordingly, this study was investigated the effects of the month of age at the first service and pregnancy on the reproductive efficiency of Holstein heifers. For these, the reproductive performance of heifers was analyzed by evaluating the effects of first insemination service at 12-14 months of age (12 month old), 15-16 months of age (15 month old), 17-19 months of age (17 month old), and > 20 months of age (20 month old) in Holstein heifers. The service numbers per conception in the first insemination months were 1.85±1.22, 1.59±0.77, 1.58±0.72, and 1.76±0.97 times at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. The conception rates in the first service were 51.2, 57.8, 54.8, and 52.9% at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. The conception ages were 453.2±78.9, 512.1±75.9, 590.1±98.0, and 713.0±74.5 days in the heifers serviced firstly at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. There was significantly difference in the conception age among groups (p<0.05). The cumulative conception rates in the heifers serviced firstly at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age were 51.21, 57.8, 54.8 and 53.0% by the first service, 29.8, 30.1, 32.3, 23.5% by the second service, and 19.0, 12.1, 12.9 and 23.5% by the third service, respectively. The service numbers per conception in the first pregnancy months were 1.31, 1.55, 2.0, 2.05 times at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of the first service age, respectively. The service numbers per conception in the 12 and 15 months of age were significantly lower than those in the 17 and 20 months of age (p<0.05). The rates of repeat-breeder were 6.0, 11.3, 22.0, and 41.0% in the heifers serviced firstly at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. These results demonstrate that first pregnancy of Holstein heifers should be conducted at 15 months of age, because the age at first pregnancy in heifers can be substantially influenced through implementation of reproductive management and performance.