Relationships among Richards growth curve parameters, reproductive and milk production traits in Brown Swiss cattle

Weight-age data from 207 Brown Swiss cows front birth to 72 months of age located in the eastern region of Turkey were fitted to Richards function to determine the relationship between growth curve parameters and reproduction as well as milk production traits. Parameter estimates from Richards growth model were perfectly correlated to each other. Additionally, mature weight (A) estimated from Richards function was significantly related with body weight at first calving (r=0.301), first calving age (r=0.171) and birth weight of calves (r=0.348). Maturation rate (k) was also significantly associated with first calving age (r=0.358) and calving interval (r=0.202). However, parameters of Richards growth model were not significantly correlated with milk production characteristics. There was only a positive phenotypic correlation (r=0.249) between A value and lactation length.