ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of Chianina cows born from 1977 to 2002. Data was used to calculate age at first calving (AFC), first calving interval (CI1) and average calving intervals (avgCIs) for the whole lifetime of cows. After editing data, the number of records used for AFC, CI1 and avgCIs analyses were respectively 31,023; 23,998 and 94,497 respectively. Statistical analyses were done using the SAS program (Statistical Analysis System) and variance components were estimated by REML using the software MTDFREML fitting animal models. Means for AFC, CI1 and avgCIs were 1,037.69 ± 186.37, 457.93 ± 12.22 and 436,26 ± 12,17 days, respectively. Heritability estimates for AFC, CI1 and avgCIs were respectively 0.36 ± 0.014; 0.13 ± 0.014 e 0.05±0.004 and the repeatability for avgCIs was 0.075 ± 0.004. The use of AFC and CI1 in genetic improvement programs may lead to an increase in precocity and potential longevity. Changes in management of females may decrease avgCIs, leading to higher and faster improvement in reproductive efficiency.
age at first calving; calving interval; heritability; repeatability
