Abstract
Advancing the calving pattern of red deer from November/December to October/November would better align the nutritional demands of lactation to pasture quality and availability. This study investigated the hypothesis that red deer of ‘Eastern’ (E) genotype (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) have advanced reproductive seasonality traits compared to those of ‘Western’ (W) genotype (C. e. scoticus). Hinds of E (135) or F1 (E x W; 165) genotype were single sire mated to one of 6 E stags, while W (506) hinds were single sire mated to one of 11 W stags. Reproductive seasonality traits measured were stag roaring and body condition score (BCS), and conception date as estimated by fetal aging. Peak roaring frequency occurred earlier in E than W stags (mean March total roars observed 144 vs. 68 for E and W stags respectively; SED 33.4; P
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 66, Napier, 270-273, 2006
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