The Impact of Selected Breeding and Environmental Factors on the Efficiency of Rearing Calves

The purpose of the paper was the analysis of the impact of selected breeding and environmental factors on the results of rearing heifers of the phf red-white variety. The research included 133 cows and heifers and their offspring, i.e. 116 calves only from single pregnancies. The calves were weighed and the zoometric measurements were carried out on the day of birth, at the age of 1 month and 6 months, and daily increments were calculated in the analyzed periods. Data regarding cows included: BCS condition, body weight, height at the back, hip width, order of calving, age of calving heifers, and data on the type of valuation and country of origin of the bull (calf's father). It was found that the high vitality of the calves is statistically significantly (at p <= 0.01) affects: the height at the back (> 150 cm) and the width in the hips of cows (> 63 cm). The Dutch and German fathers' heifers were significantly smaller than other peers (at p <= 0.01). The mother's weight before birth was significantly influenced by the daily increase in calves at the age of 1 month.