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Reproduction management for longevity Dr Carel Muller Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Institute for Animal Production, Elsenburg Dairy Information day 28 Augustus 2012 Elsenburg. Introduction (1) :. Longevity of cows is dependant on reproductive ability
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Reproduction management for longevity Dr Carel MullerWestern Cape Department of Agriculture, Institute for Animal Production, Elsenburg Dairy Information day 28 Augustus 2012 Elsenburg
Introduction (1) : • Longevity of cows is dependant on reproductive ability • Poor reproduction results in: - higher culling rate of cows - reduced productive life - higher replacement cost • Less obvious effects: - higher average DIM - lower average lactation number - lower milk production - loss in farm income
Introduction (2): • In SA selection programmes focused on milk yield and conformation traits • No emphasis on improving fertility in dairy cows • At best, cows not pregnant, are culled • Usually after an extended, costly breeding programme • Internationally fertility of bull daughters has only recently received attention • In SA EBV for calving interval are estimated
Understand the big picture: • Lack of understanding between the interaction between reproduction and daily milk yield • Working with large numbers of animals there is often a difference between perception and facts • A low milk yield today could be because of poor reproduction management a year ago • Lower milk yield due to: - Extending lactation increases DIM - more cows in late lactation - High culling rate increases % first lactation cows
Commonly used indicators: • Calving interval: - historical information - only accounts for cows calving down again - cows not calving again adds no data to the calculation for herd average - include interval between c-date – today’s date 2. AI’s/conception: - indication of inseminator efficiency - what if days open is 150 days? • Suggest farmers/consultants/veterinarians are not using appropriate dairy cow fertility indicators
What is cow fertility: • It’s more than getting cows pregnant (eventually) Fertility definition: - the ability to come on heat soon post calving - conceive with minimum number of inseminations - carry a calf full term and - calve down successfully delivering a healthy calf • Each trait is greatly affected by management
Records required for each cow: • Calving date • Lactation number • Status (lactating=1 or dry=0) • Insemination dates (first and most recent) • Results from pregnancy checks (Yes/No)
Next step: • Put on a spread sheet • Convert dates to intervals • Add binomial traits (yes=1, no=0) • Update after each vet visit • Base decisions on information from the list
A work plan for reproduction management: • Determine the reproductive status of the dairy herd – from a list of all cows in the herd with relevant information • Compare to available norms and standards • Start monthly herd visits for fresh cows and pregnancy tests • Have short, medium and long term work plans
Short term work plan: • Check pregnancy of cows >100 DIM • Sell cows not pregnant that are dry and more than 300 DIM • Check all cows for sexual activity 42 days after calving • Treat non-active cows • Start monitoring cows during the first 10 days after calving • Follow a treatment programme for cows with retained placentas, uterine infections, etc. • Start using a clean, dry and sunny maternity area
Medium term work plan: • Decide what to do with cows not pregnant >150 DIM – bull or synchronisation programme • Put cows on a steam-up feeding programme • Start with a heat detection programme, use markers • Check AI technique/success rate of inseminators • Check semen quality of AI semen • Check feet, legs and semen quality of service bull
Long term work plan: • Start using AI bulls with high EBV’s for Daughter Pregnancy rate/ Productive life • Use calving ease bulls for heifers
Thank you for your attention • Good luck
Genetic study for fertility traits: Two outcomes: 1. Evaluate alternative fertility traits to CI - establish level of reproduction management 2. Estimate genetic parameters for fertility traits - identify fertile cows
Materials and Methods: • Reproduction records from 14 Holstein herds of 9046 cows calving in 24646 lactations - calving dates - lactation number - AI dates (n=69180) - pregnancy check results • Determine interval traits • Establish binomial status for intervals traits
Interval traits: • Calving date to first AI date (CFS) • Calving date to conception date (DO) • Number of AI’s/conception • Binomial traits: - CFS <80 DIM - Pregnant <100 days - Pregnant < 200 days - Pregnant from first AI
Conclusion (1): • Alternative fertility traits are available • Genetic correlations indicate possible traits to be used: • Best traits: - C-1stAI, - DOPEN and - AI’s/conception • Wide genetic variations between cows gives scope for selection
Conclusion (2): • Must accept that management has a large effect on traits • Poor management extends intervals – seen as less fertile or unfertile cows • Fertility aids improves reproduction management – observed as fertile cows