Reproductive performance of Aceh cattle as animal genetic resources in Sampoiniet, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Aceh cattle are one of animal genetic resources in Indonesia that have high adaptability to feed and extreme climates, therefore their existence must be maintained. This research aimed to identify the ability of aceh cattle reproductive in Sampoiniet Subdistrict, Aceh Jaya, Indonesia. A survey method was applied in this study covering 4 (four) villages, Kuala Ligan, Ie Jeureungeh, Ligan, and Teupin Limeng. The sample of villages and respondents were determined using purposive method in which the villages should have the most aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict and respondents should have at least two aceh cattle that have calved twice. The selected respondents were 60 farmers. Variables observed were the puberty age, first calving age, calving interval, service period, and calf weaning age. The collected data were analyzed descriptively using frequency and percentage. The result shows that the age of puberty was 13.11±1.06 months, the first calving age was 4.06±0.29 years, the calving interval was 18.42±1.07 months, the service period was 9.42±1.07 months, and the calf weaning age was 9.62 ±2.7 months. From these results, it can be drawn conclusion of this study that the reproductive characteristics of Aceh cattle in Sampoiniet Subdistrict, Aceh Jaya was categorized as poor.


Introduction
Aceh cattle are small-sized beef cattle that have a significant contribution to the fulfillment of meat needs in Aceh [1].Therefore, efforts to breed aceh cattle are absolutely necessary.This type of livestock is most suitable for raising and breeding in Indonesia, although its yield is lower than that of imported livestock.The population of aceh cattle in Aceh Jaya district fluctuates.It is feared that the population decline will continue.Reproductive efficiency is affected by, among others, age at puberty, length of service period and calving interval [2].Reproductive problems in cows that often occur in smallholder farms include the length of service period [3].
Sampoiniet subdistrict is located in Aceh Jaya, Aceh.According to [4] this subdistrict potentially for aceh cattle breeder and has opportunity to become a source area for aceh cattle breeds.In 2020, aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict had the highest number compared to other subdistricts in Aceh Jaya, namely 7,130 heads.Moreover, the natural mating system is not controlled in which the cow possibly had mated with small cattle.Both conditions can in turn cause reproductive problems in cattle.

Material and methods
The selection of the research location was carried out intentionally (purposive sampling) with the consideration that the villages have the largest population of Aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict.The selected villages consisted of 4 (four) villages, namely Kuala Ligan, Ie Jeureungeh, Ligan, and Teupin Limeng villages.Respondents selected in this study were 60 farmers (who has 5 years experience as a farmer and the minimum requirements of raising/ breeding 2 (two) aceh cattle that have calved twice.The parameters were the puberty age, first calving age, calving interval, service period, and calf weaning age.
Observational data were used survey method through interviews.The statistical analysis method was carried out descriptively.All information and data collected were tabulated according to the data category to determine the mean value and standard deviation.

Results and discussion
Reproductive performance of aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict, Aceh Jaya, Aceh is presented in Table 1.

Age of puberty
Age of puberty is the age of heifers to be physically and physiologically ready to mate and breed.The result shows that the age of puberty of aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict ranged between of 12.20-14.53months with mean age of puberty 13.11±1.06months.This study were better than that of pasundan cattle in West Java, which is 21±3.0months [5].Furthermore, [6] argues that puberty is triggered by an increase in the GnRH hormone which causes an increase in LH production, this increase will stimulate follicular development and increased estradiol production.An increase in these hormones can trigger puberty.

First calving age
First calving of aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict was 4.06±0.29 years in averages.First calving age in aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict was greater than the results of [7] study in PO cattle (3.36±0.50years).According to [8], farmers management affect reproductive efficiency, where uncontrolled age at first mating can cause low fertility.Besides, the delay of first calving in aceh cattle was suspected due to the death of the embryo.

Calving interval
Calving interval describes a cow's ability to produce calves over a period of time.Table 1 shows the calving interval of aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict average 18.42±1.07months or more than 1 year which categorized as a poor reproduction efficiency.In this study, it was found that the average of service period was 9.42±1.07months (Table 1).This was due to the fact that the calves were not weaned so that the service period become prolonged which in turn could make the days open become prolonged.

Service period
Service period is calculated from the day of calving until the cow is mated.Generally, cows that have calved are given the opportunity to take care of and raise their calves no later than 201 days for zebu cattle in southeastern Mexico [9].The mean of service period of cows in Sampoiniet subdistrict was 9.42±1.07months.The long service period in this study was thought to be due to the long weaning period of the calves (9.62±2.7 months) and the low quality of the feed given.Most of the breeders in Sampoiniet district, as is the case with other breeders in Aceh Province, still apply the traditional maintenance system, where farmers still do not pay attention to good reproduction and feed management.
Traditional breeders in Aceh Province usually let the calves suckle until they reach a certain body weight, this breastfeeding can cause a delay on the return of estrus after calved, because the hormone oxytocin released during breastfeeding can inhibit the phase of follicular.

Calf weaning age
Calf weaning is the process of separating the calf from its mother with the aim of limiting or stopping the breastfeeding process.In this study we found that calf weaning age in aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict occurred mostly at the age of 5.86-12.31months.However, from the overall respondent data, the average calf weaning age was 9.62±2.7 months.When the results of this study were compared to that of [10] study, in which it showed that the calf weaning age of pesisir cattle (4.80 months) and bali cattle (4.21 months), then the calf weaning age in Sampoiniet subdistrict was categorized as not good.

Conclusions
The reproductive characteristics of Aceh cattle in Sampoiniet subdistrict, Aceh Jaya were still not good (poor).Aceh cattle in Sampoiniet sub-district were puberty age was 13.11±1.06months, first calving age was 4.06±0.29 years, calving interval was 18.42±1.07months, service period was 9.42±1.07months, and calf weaning was 9.62±2.7 months.

1 .
Reproductive performance of Aceh cattle in Sampoiniet Subdistrict, Aceh Jaya