Jurnal Peternakan Available online at:
http://ejournal.
uin-suska.
id/index.
php/peternakan DOI:http://dx.
org/10.
24014/jupet.
Vol 23.
: 51-60.
February 2026 p-ISSN: 1829-8729 | e-ISSN: 2355-9470 Reproductive Performance of Ongole Crossbred Cattle in Deli Serdang Regency as Affected by Body Condition Score Aris Syampurnomo1*.
Sayed Umar1, & Simon Eliaser2 1Graduate Program Master of Animal Science.
Sumatera Utara University.
Medan 2Research Center for Animal Husbandry.
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Indonesia Jalan Dr.
Mansyur No.
Padang Bulan.
Kecamatan Medan Baru.
Kota Medan.
Sumatera Utara.
Indonesia * Email Correspondence: arissyamspp@gmail.
Oo Submitted: 06 January 2026 Oo Revised: 25 January 2025 Oo Accepted: 28 February 2026 ABSTRACT.
Reproductive efficiency is a key determinant of productivity in beef cattle, and Reproductive performance is significantly influenced by the Body Condition Score (BCS).
The purpose of this study was to assess the reproductive performance of Ongole Crossbred (PO) cattle based on the relationship between BCS.
Service per Conception (S/C), and Calving Interval (CI) in Deli Serdang Regency.
North Sumatra.
The research was conducted from July to August 2022 using a descriptive method.
Purposive sampling was used to pick 377 PO cows, and information was gathered through farmer interviews and direct observation.
and secondary data from local livestock BCS was assessed using the Scottish/Canadian scoring system, while S/C and C/I were obtained from insemination records.
According to the findings.
PO cattle had an average BCS of 2.
65A0.
18, indicating thin to moderate body condition.
The mean S/C value 16A0.
25, suggesting that more than two to become pregnant, insemination attempts were necessary.
The average CI was 8A15.
4 days, exceeding the ideal 12-month interval.
Regression analysis revealed a negative relationship between BCS and both S/C and CI, indicating that better body condition improved reproductive outcomes.
In conclusion.
BCS has a major impact on the reproductive success of PO cattle in Deli Serdang, and improvements in nutritional and reproductive management are required to enhance cattle Keywords: Deli serdang regency, performance.
productivity, ongole crossbred cattle, body condition score (BCS) INTRODUCTION Ongole (PO) cattle are one of IndonesiaAos livestock genetic resources that play an important role in meat production as well as draft power.
High tolerance to tropical settings is one of PO cattle's benefits, resistance to diseases, and efficient utilization of fibrous feed resources (Hardjosubroto, 2004.
Sutarno & Setyawan.
Nevertheless, the productivity of PO cattle, particularly in terms of reproductive performance, still faces several constraints that affect the efficiency of smallholder farming systems (Meuwissen et al.
, 2024.
Yan et al.
Reproductive performance of female cattle can be evaluated through several key parameters, such as Body Condition Score (BCS).
Service per Conception (S/C), and Calving Interval (CI).
BCS reflects the animalAos nutritional status and energy reserves and is widely recognized as a key factor influencing reproductive physiology (Sukma et al.
, 2.
Cows with excessively low or high body condition tend to experience reproductive disorders, including irregular estrous cycles, weak estrus expression, and low conception rates (Kalds et al.
, 2.
Meanwhile.
S/C represents the number of inseminations required to achieve pregnancy, and CI indicates the interval between two successive calvings.
Elevated S/C values and prolonged CI are generally associated with inadequate nutrition, reproductive disorders, and suboptimal body condition (Wanjala et al.
, 2022.
Nkadimeng et al.
Copyright A 2026 by Author.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) License Jurnal Peternakan.
Vol 23.
: 51-60.
February 2026 Although the association between BCS and reproductive parameters has been widely reported in various cattle breeds, limited information is available regarding this relationship specifically in PO cattle raised under smallholder conditions in Deli Serdang Regency.
Moreover, recent changes in feeding practices, land use patterns, and increasing climatic variability may alter body condition dynamics and reproductive outcomes in this region.
Therefore, updated and location-specific data are necessary to provide an accurate picture of current reproductive performance.
The parameters S/C and CI are also considered major indicators of reproductive The number of inseminations needed to become pregnant is known as Service per Conception, whereas Calving Interval indicates the length of time between successive calvings.
High S/C values and prolonged C/I are generally associated with suboptimal feeding management, reproductive health disorders, and non-ideal body condition (Wanjala et al.
, 2.
Deli Serdang Regency, located in North Sumatra Province, is characterized by predominantly small-scale cattle farming systems where animals are managed under semi-intensive or tethering systems with variable feed resources.
Limited grazing land and dependence on seasonal forage availability often result in fluctuations in body condition throughout the year (Zhu et al.
, 2023.
Demir et , 2.
Therefore, an assessment of the relationship between BCS and reproductive parameters such as S/C and CI is essential as a basis for improving the productivity of PO cattle in this region.
Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the association between Body Condition Score and reproductive performance, as measured by Service per Conception and Calving Interval, in Ongole crossbred cattle in Deli Serdang Regency.
The results are expected to provide an evidencebased reference for improving nutritional and reproductive management strategies at the smallholder farmer level.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Location and Time The study was carried out in Deli Serdang Regency in July and August of 2022.
North Sumatra Province.
Materials and Equipment The research materials consisted of productive female Peranakan Ongole (PO) cattle that had calved at least once.
The equipment used included a measuring stick, measuring tape, ropes, stationery, a calculator, and other supporting tools.
Research Method This study employed a descriptive Purposive approaches were used to gather primary data through farmer interviews and direct observation, namely the selection of samples based on specific characteristics determined by the researcher.
These criteria included female Peranakan Ongole (PO) cattle that had calved, were overseen by intense or semi-intensive systems, and had participated in an artificial insemination program.
Secondary data were obtained from the Agricultural Extension Center (Balai Penyuluhan Pertanian.
BPP) and other relevant institutions in Deli Serdang Regency.
Body Condition Score (BCS) assessment was performed using the Scottish/Canadian scoring system with a scale ranging from 1 to 5, representing body conditions from very thin to very fat (Wildman et al.
, 1.
BCS
determination was carried out through visual observation and palpation of several body parts, including the spinous processes .
rocessus spinosu.
, tuber coxae, tuber ischiadicus, tail head, and hip area (Irawansyah, 2.
Reproductive Performance of Ongole Crossbred Cattle in Deli Serdang Regency as Affected by Body Condition Score (Syampurnomo, et Sampling Procedure The research samples consisted of female PO cattle aged Ou1.
5 years that had calved at least The Slovin formula with a 5% margin of error was used to get the sample size.
ycu= ycA 1 ycA.
! With a cattle population of 6,634 heads, a sample size of 377 heads was obtained.
Research Parameters Body Condition Score (BCS) Using the technique outlined by Cooke et .
the Body Condition Score (BCS) was determined by palpating and visually observing fat deposits along the back and hindquarters.
Service per Conception (S/C) Service per Conception (S/C) is defined as the number of artificial inseminations required to achieve pregnancy (Thanh et al.
, 2.
The formula used is:
Calving Interval (CI) The calving interval (CI) was determined based on the time difference between the previous calving and the subsequent calving, as recorded by inseminators (Meuwissen et al.
, 2.
CI = Calvingi - Calving.
Data Analysis To ascertain the association between Body Condition Score (BCS).
Service per Conception (S/C), and Calving Interval (CI), the data were subjected to simple linear regression and correlation analysis (Lavrijsen-Kromwijk et al.
The Minitab program was used for all statistical analyses.
The regression model used Y = a bX Where:
Y = response variable (S/C or CI).
X = predictor variable (BCS).
a = constant.
b = regression RESULT AND DISCUSSION Data Population Size and Observation Sample The total population of beef cattle subjected to artificial insemination, the population of PO cattle subjected to artificial insemination, and the number of observation samples are presented in Table 1.
Based on the calculation using the Slovin formula, from a total of 6,634 PO cattle subjected to artificial insemination, 377 heads were selected as the observation sample.
Bangun Purba.
Pancur Batu, and STM Hilir Subdistricts recorded the highest levels of artificial insemination, whereas Sibolangit and Labuhan Deli showed relatively low numbers.
Gunung Meriah Subdistrict was the only area where no artificial insemination activities were reported.
The marked variation among subdistricts may reflect differences in access to insemination services, farmer awareness, and management Areas with higher insemination coverage, such as Bangun Purba, are likely to have better accessibility to field inseminators and more established extension support.
contrast, the absence of artificial insemination in Gunung Meriah may be related to geographical constraints, limited service availability, or a stronger reliance on natural mating practices.
Variations in feed availability and overall herd management may also influence farmersAo willingness to adopt artificial insemination These disparities may indirectly influence reproductive performance indicators.
Limited access to artificial insemination services can delay breeding, increase days open, and contribute to prolonged calving intervals.
Furthermore, variations in feed availability and herd management practices across subdistricts may affect Body Condition Score, which Jurnal Peternakan.
Vol 23.
: 51-60.
February 2026 subsequently influences conception success.
Therefore, the uneven distribution of artificial insemination services may not only reflect management differences but also contribute to variability in S/C and CI values observed in the study area.
Table 1.
Population of Beef Cattle in Deli Serdang Regency and the Number of PO Cattle Subjected to Artificial Insemination in 2021.
Number of cows Number of PO cattle inseminated Gunung Meriah Hulu Sibolangit Kutalimbaru Pancur Batu Namo Rambe Biru-Biru Hilir Bangun Purba Galang Tanjung Morawa Patumbak Deli Tua Sunggal Hamparan Perak Labuhan Deli Percut Sei Tuan Batang Kuis Pantai Labu Beringin Lubuk Pakam Pagar Merbau Total Source: Data processed from district Deli Serdang .
Subdistrict Body Condition Score (BCS) of PO Cattle The Body Condition Score (BCS) values of PO cattle subjected to artificial insemination in Deli Serdang Regency are presented in Table 2.
PO cattle had an average Body Condition Score (BCS) of 2.
65 A 0.
18, indicating that the animals were generally in thin to moderate body BCS is influenced by herd management practices such as feeding regime, housing quality, and overall health status.
Inadequate nutrient intake prevents cows from achieving optimal body reserves at the time of breeding, which may reduce reproductive efficiency (Hickson & Morris, 2017.
Yasin et al.
Housing conditions may also affect animal comfort and feed intake.
Appropriate flooring and housing design can reduce stress and locomotion problems, thereby indirectly Number of Observation Samples supporting better feed utilization and body condition (Cooke et al.
, 2021.
Nurkholis et al.
In addition.
BCS is closely related to milk production in dairy cattle.
In order to support milk supply, lactating cows with low BCS typically mobilize significant amounts of body fat stores (Ervandi et al.
, 2020.
Syaiful et al.
When feed intake after calving is insufficient, excessive fat mobilization occurs, leading to a decline in BCS (Pratama et al.
, 2024.
Pinheiro et al.
, 2.
In beef-type cattle, inadequate body reserves before and after calving may lead to a prolonged Negative Energy Balance (NEB).
During early postpartum, cows often experience increased energy demands while feed intake has not yet fully recovered.
If this condition persists.
Reproductive Performance of Ongole Crossbred Cattle in Deli Serdang Regency as Affected by Body Condition Score (Syampurnomo, et ovarian activity may be suppressed, resulting in delayed resumption of estrous cycles or prolonged postpartum anestrus.
Consequently, cows with low BCS are more likely to experience extended calving intervals and higher service per conception values.
Table 2.
Average Body Condition Score (BCS) of PO Cattle in Deli Serdang Regency District Gunung Meriah Hulu Sibolangit Kutalimbaru Pancur Batu Namo Rambe Biru-Biru Hilir Bangun Purba Galang Tanjung Morawa Patumbak Deli Tua Sunggal Hamparan Perak Labuhan Deli Percut Sei Tuan Batang Kuis Pantai Labu Beringin Lubuk Pakam Pagar Merbau Average Number of inseminated PO cattle Service per Conception (S/C) Value The average Service per Conception (S/C) value of PO cattle in Deli Serdang Regency was 16 A 0.
25 (Table .
, indicating that more than two inseminations were required on average to achieve pregnancy.
This value is relatively high compared with the ideal standard of 1Ae2 reproductive efficiency.
The elevated S/C value observed in this study may be closely associated with the moderate to low Body Condition Score .
recorded in the cattle population.
Cows with inadequate body reserves often experience metabolic stress, particularly during the postpartum period.
A low BCS reflects insufficient energy availability, which may impair follicular development, reduce oocyte Number of observed samples .
Value body condition score (BCS) 65 A 0.
quality, and delay the resumption of normal ovarian activity.
Furthermore, suboptimal energy status may affect the uterine environment, reducing the likelihood of successful embryo implantation.
Consequently, insemination attempts are more likely to fail at the first service, leading to repeated inseminations and a higher S/C value.
In addition to body condition, other management-related factors such as inaccurate estrus detection, inseminator skill level, and improper timing of artificial insemination may also contribute to increased S/C values (Bezdysek et al.
, 2020.
Al-Jubori et al.
, 2.
S/C value above 2 is generally associated with prolonged days open and extended calving intervals, which may result in production costs and economic losses for smallholder farmers.
Jurnal Peternakan.
Vol 23.
: 51-60.
February 2026 Table 3.
Average Service per Conception (S/C) values District Gunung Meriah Hulu Sibolangit Kutalimbaru Pancur Batu Namo Rambe Biru-Biru Hilir Bangun Purba Galang Tanjung Morawa Patumbak Deli Tua Sunggal Hamparan Perak Labuhan Deli Percut Sei Tuan Batang Kuis Pantai Labu Beringin Lubuk Pakam Pagar Merbau Average Number of inseminated PO cattle Number of observed samples .
Value service per conception (S/C) 16 A 0.
Table 4.
Average Calving Interval (CI) District Gunung Meriah Hulu Sibolangit Kutalimbaru Pancur Batu Namo Rambe Biru-Biru Hilir Bangun Purba Galang Tanjung Morawa Patumbak Deli Tua Sunggal Hamparan Perak Labuhan Deli Percut Sei Tuan Batang Kuis Pantai Labu Beringin Lubuk Pakam Pagar Merbau Average Number of inseminated PO cattle Number of observed samples .
Average calving interval .
8 A 15.
Reproductive Performance of Ongole Crossbred Cattle in Deli Serdang Regency as Affected by Body Condition Score (Syampurnomo, et Calving Interval (CI) Value The calving interval of PO cattle in Deli Serdang Regency was 429.
8 A 15.
4 days .
3 month.
This value is longer than the ideal standard of 12 months.
Among the various factors influencing calving interval.
Body Condition Score plays a central role because it reflects the cowAos energy reserves during late gestation and early postpartum.
Cows with low BCS at calving are more likely to experience prolonged Negative Energy Balance, which delays uterine involution and suppresses the resumption of ovarian cyclicity.
As a result, the onset of postpartum estrus is postponed, extending the interval from calving to This delay ultimately lengthens the calving interval.
Therefore, maintaining cows at an adequate BCS prior to calving is essential to ensure timely return to estrus and to achieve a calving interval closer to the biological optimum of approximately 365 days.
This result is in line with a number of earlier research findings indicating the calving interval (CI) of Ongole Crossbred (PO) cattle generally ranges around 430 days (MorenoSierra et al.
, 2021.
Heryani et al.
, 2.
prolonged calving interval may be caused by: .
inaccurate estrus detection.
low body condition score (BCS).
inadequate feeding and mating management.
delayed postpartum estrus.
the effects of dam age and environmental stress.
A prolonged CI reduces reproductive efficiency and decreases the number of calves produced per year (Afif et , 2023.
Mulianda et al.
, 2.
The Connection Between Service per Conception (S/C) and Body Condition Score
(BCS)
The coefficient of correlation .
= Ae0.
indicates a negative relationship, meaning that an increase in BCS is associated with a decrease in S/C.
This suggests that cattle with better body condition require fewer inseminations to achieve The relationship between BCS and S/C is presented in Table 5.
Table 5.
Regression and Correlation Relationship Between BCS and S/C BCS R-sq R-eq Average S/C 228 Ae 0.
16 A 0.
Source: Processed primary data .
The coefficient of determination (RA) of 0.
indicates that Body Condition Score (BCS) explains 35% of the variation in Service per Conception (S/C), while the remaining 65% is influenced by other factors such as inseminator skill, accuracy of estrus detection, timing of insemination, semen quality, as well as general health and environmental conditions (Mangun et al.
, 2024.
Jakaria et al.
, 2.
Although the contribution of BCS may appear moderate, it represents a substantial proportion in fieldbased reproductive studies.
Importantly.
BCS is an internal biological factor that can be directly managed by farmers through improvements in feeding strategies and overall herd nutrition.
In contrast, many of the remaining factors influencing S/C are external and may be beyond the immediate control of farmers, such as technical skill of inseminators or semen handling quality.
Therefore, maintaining optimal body condition serves as a fundamental basis for improving conception success before other technical interventions can be fully The regression analysis showed a regression coefficient of Ae0.
404, indicating a negative relationship between BCS and S/C (Septian et al.
, 2015.
Chekirov et al.
, 2.
This means that for every one-unit increase in BCS, the S/C value decreases by 0.
In practical terms, improving the body condition of PO cows through better nutritional management is likely Jurnal Peternakan.
Vol 23.
: 51-60.
February 2026 to enhance reproductive efficiency, as reflected by reduced S/C values in Deli Serdang Regency.
CONCLUSION
The reproductive performance of Ongole Crossbred (PO) cattle in Deli Serdang Regency was significantly influenced by Body Condition Score (BCS).
The average BCS of 2.
65 indicates that most cows were in thin to moderate condition at the time of artificial insemination, which is below the commonly recommended threshold of approximately 3.
n a 1Ae5 scal.
for optimal reproductive efficiency.
This suboptimal body condition was associated with a relatively high average Service per Conception .
and a prolonged Calving Interval .
The negative correlation between BCS and both S/C and CI confirms that BCS is not merely a numerical score, but a biological indicator of the cowAos readiness for successful conception and timely return to estrus postpartum.
Cows with better body reserves required fewer inseminations and exhibited shorter calving intervals, highlighting the central role of adequate energy status in reproductive success.
From a practical perspective, improving body management focus in smallholder systems.
Efforts may include providing supplemental feed during critical periods, particularly in late gestation and early postpartum, improving forage quality, and ensuring consistent nutrient availability throughout the production cycle.
Strengthening nutritional management during these phases is expected to enhance reproductive efficiency and reduce economic losses associated with repeated inseminations and extended calving intervals.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There is no conflict of interest, according to all of the authors.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The University of Sumatera Utara has the writers' deepest gratitude for the guidance, support, and academic facilities provided throughout the course of this research.
Additionally, the writers express their gratitude to the Government of Deli Serdang Regency, livestock officers, inseminators, and local farmers for their assistance and cooperation during the data collection process.
The contributions of all parties were invaluable to the successful completion of this study.
REFERENCES