Proper semen handling for improved fertility in bovines and other livestock

Proper semen handling requires being comfortable with a liquid nitrogen tank so you can work quickly and effectively to avoid damaging frozen semen.

Dairy Cow Stress and Strain: Impacts on Reproduction

Why do cows that face a common challenge (Stress) respond differently to it (Strain), and how do managers capitalize on this?

Activity Monitoring Technology for Reproductive Management of Dairy Cows

Advances in activity monitoring technology have taken electronic estrus (heat) detection from concept to reality on more dairy farms today. This is of significance because estrus detection has historically been a challenging task.

Synchronization protocols and compliance for dairy cattle reproduction

Synchronization protocols evolve rapidly as newer procedures are tested and improvements are made. To help veterinarians and industry professionals deal with rapid change and make informed decisions related to synchronization protocols, the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) has created synchronization protocol sheets for dairy cows and dairy heifers.

Sub-optimal transition cow care causes significant economic losses

Earlier in the year, I attended the Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, where many of the topics focused on transition cow care. One of the big take-home points from more than one speaker was that prevention of clinical disease is vital for long-term success of your cows. Issues during the transition period are associated with reduced reproduction and milk production. Prevention is followed closely by early diagnosis of clinical disease issues.

The high fertility cycle in dairy cattle

Over the past two decades, a reproduction revolution has occurred in the dairy industry. Twenty years ago, the 21-day pregnancy rate in U.S. dairy herds averaged about 14% with conception rates rarely exceeding 40%. In 1998, the annualized 21-day pregnancy rate goal was 20%, which few herds could achieve.

Estrus detection & Estrus detection aids

Estrus detection, commonly referred to as heat detection, is one of the most important reproductive management tasks performed on the farm. Simply put, if cows are not identified in estrus they will not be bred by Artificial Insemination (AI) and have no chance of becoming pregnant. Estrus detection accuracy is also critical.

Administering reproductive hormones to dairy cattle

Using proper injection techniques for animal health products, including reproductive hormones, helps ensure products work effectively. In addition, it is important to safely handle animals and health products to protect both farm workers and animals.

Determining cattle pregnancy status

Maintaining a successful reproductive program in our modern dairy and beef operations requires dedication. While it is rewarding to hear a pronouncement of pregnancy, there is not much the manager can do with that information, except wait.

Target age and weight when breeding dairy heifers

Raising heifers is one of the most cost-intensive areas of the farm. From the day these animals hit the ground until they calve, they are a monetary burden on the farm. Therefore, getting these animals to calving as efficiently as possible makes sense.

Optimizing use of sexed semen in dairy herds

During the past two decades, a reproduction revolution has occurred in the dairy industry. A consequence of increased reproductive performance has been an increase in replacement heifer inventories, which in turn have decreased replacement heifer market values. Based on the UW-Extension Dairy Replacement ICPA Survey (Akins and Hagedorn, 2015), rearing costs of Holstein heifers from birth to calving averaged $2,100 from 1999 to 2015 and exceeded $2,500 in 2015.

Do we still need the AM-PM Rule for the artificial insemination of cattle?

For nearly eighty years dairy producers have been indoctrinated in the use of the AM-PM rule for artificial insemination (AI) of cattle. The AM-PM rule dictates that a cow should receive AI 12 hours after first being observed in estrus. If a cow is seen in estrus in the AM she should receive AI that PM, and cows seen in estrus in the PM should receive AI the following AM.