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Archive for Dairy Cattle Reproduction

How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Heat Detection

Monday, October 21st, 2024

Uncover AI’s impact on heat detection in dairy farming. Can tech improve your farm’s efficiency and profits? Dive into the future of dairy today.

Consider a future in which dairy production is a precise science based on real-time data rather than guesswork. That is the potential of artificial intelligence in transforming heat detection—a critical component of efficient dairy management. As we reach an era when AI takes center stage, are we ready to accept this technological transformation that will reinvent production and efficiency on our farms? In the future, AI will be more than a tool; it will be a vital companion in the barn.

The Evolution from Eyeballs to Algorithms: Navigating Heat Detection’s High-Tech Future 

Historically, heat detection in dairy production requires excellent eye observation. Farmers depended on their intuition and experience to identify indicators of a cow in heat, such as mounting behavior or tail flicking. However, as anybody extensively involved in our sector will tell you, this strategy is complex.

First, let’s discuss the statistics. Studies have shown that missing heat might cost between $64 and $86 per cow after 120 days in milk. This is not just chump change. These expenditures may rapidly increase for larger farms and substantially influence the bottom line.

In terms of more giant farms, herd numbers have increased. As a result, each employee’s capacity to effectively detect heat has decreased. Today, the typical dairy farmer maintains more cows than ever per employee, unlike when smaller operations allowed for more personalized care. So, what is the remedy here, you could ask?

Add to this the biological aspect of the equation: current high-yielding cows have shorter heats due to extensive breeding for productivity qualities. The window for heat detection has shrunk, complicating problems further.

Given the complications, classic stick-and-watch systems are rapidly becoming outdated. Visually monitoring estrous days without technology assistance is like looking for a needle in a haystack, mainly when larger-scale efficiency and production are at stake. Isn’t it time we relied on creativity to overcome these gaps?

Heat Detection: The Untapped Potential of AI and Advanced Tech in Dairy Farming 

Imagine a future where missing the indications of a cow in heat is a thing of the past. Welcome to the future of dairy farming, where artificial intelligence (AI) and sophisticated technologies are revolutionizing heat detection. Companies such as Nedap, DeLaval, and smaXtec are driving this shift. They reduce your burden and improve the accuracy of determining ideal breeding periods using cutting-edge techniques.

Nedap’s uniqueness is its capacity to monitor cow activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week, recording behavioral indicators such as sniffing and chin rubbing. Its real-time alerts guarantee you never miss a heat cycle, reducing needless labor and increasing breeding success rates.

DeLaval’s DeepBlue AI system goes a step further. Analyzing individual cow behaviors and movement patterns provides exact predictions for impending heat. With DeLaval Repro’s hormone tracking, even quiet heat may be detected, allowing quicker treatments and shorter calving intervals.

Then there’s smaXtec’s solution, which integrates the technology inside the cow. Using a bolus that analyzes internal temperature and behavior, smaXtec detects heat and forecasts the ideal breeding windows. This proactive approach reduces expenses and improves fertility control, while AI-driven insights predict health risks before they worsen.

These firms are changing the face of dairy farming. AI is more than a tool; it’s a game changer, simplifying operations and increasing herd production to unprecedented levels. Are you prepared to accept this technological leap?

Real-Life Revolution: How Advanced Herd Management Systems Are Redefining Dairy Efficiency 

When considering sophisticated herd management systems such as smaXtec, real-world deployments give the most persuasive proof of their effectiveness. Ryan Schleis of Schleis Farms LLC in Wisconsin has personally experienced how smaXtec changes dairy farms. With 550 cows to control, introducing additional Brilliant in May 2023 represented a watershed moment in animal health management. “Reproduction on the farm has been a game changer since installing smaXtec,” Schleis shares. The system’s capacity to identify cystic and non-cycling cows early has resulted in fewer days open, increasing milk output economically. Furthermore, unanticipated advantages, such as a 60-70% decrease in straw needed for calving pens, have emerged, demonstrating operational economies that Schleis had not anticipated. “SmaXtec has helped make day-to-day life on the farm easier,” he says, stressing the reduced effort and higher quality of life.

Amber Horn manages Hornstead Dairy Farm in Wisconsin, and the narrative is transforming similarly. With 2100 cows, Hornstead’s cull rates dropped dramatically with the installation of smaXtec in 2022. Their mortality rate has dropped by 37.5%, resulting in an impressive 7.8 ROI from cull rate improvements. Amber believes the temperature monitoring function is a game changer. It promotes preventive treatment by quickly identifying inflammation or metabolic abnormalities, resulting in healthier cows and fewer early lactation losses. The financial benefit is also significant, with savings reaching $500,000 in their replacement program, demonstrating how smaXtec promotes long-term sustainability without requiring further replacements.

Finally, Schleis and Hornstead’s examples show how investing in technologies like smaXtec can revolutionize farm management strategies. These systems provide tangible and positive results and will pave the way for future dairy innovations.

Counting the Cost: How AI is Transforming Dairy Farm Economics 

The economic implications must be considered when incorporating AI-driven heat detection systems into dairy farming. Let’s be honest: farming is no easy task and every penny matters. The influence of these advanced technologies extends beyond upgrading agricultural techniques to enhancing the dairy business’s economic model.

The statistical research supports these benefits. Research published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that farms using AI heat detection systems witnessed a 20% increase in heat detection rates and a 10% decrease in days open. These enhancements surely strengthen the bottom lines.

It’s like having a financial expert implanted in your dairy operations, constantly modifying and boosting production and efficiency. Investing in these systems may provide significant returns, with some farms reporting payback times of less than two years because of higher conception rates and lower insemination expenses. In an industry where margins may be thin, this technology integration is more than simply an improvement; it’s a game changer.

Facing the Future: Cost, Learning, and Cultural Shifts in AI Adoption 

Implementing AI technology in dairy farms is exciting and complex. One of the most pressing challenges is the upfront expense. Advanced hardware and software systems are costly and can require significant financial investments. This might be intimidating for many farmers, especially those with small—to medium-sized holdings. To alleviate this, consider obtaining government grants or subsidies to stimulate technological innovation in agriculture and examine lease alternatives or payment plans provided by technology companies to lower expenses.

Beyond money, there is the learning curve. Those who like traditional farming’s hands-on approach may sometimes find technology a foreign language. Systems such as AI require training and a certain amount of technological competence, both of which may be scary. To remedy this, businesses may provide extensive training programs and continuous assistance to farmers. Fostering peer support networks within the agricultural community may help farmers share information and provide practical assistance.

Then there’s the opposition to change, which is not unusual in any traditional sector. Farming includes ceremonial features; integrating AI is similar to signaling a cultural transition. Overcoming this needs a planned strategy that emphasizes education and practical advantages. Testimonials and case studies from other farmers who have successfully embraced AI may be adequate motivators. Encouraging modest, incremental deployments allows farmers to see the advantages directly without the overwhelming commitment of an all-or-nothing strategy.

Finally, the transition to AI-powered dairy production depends on a combination of financial methods, instructional assistance, and progressive transition periods. We can improve agricultural output and empower farmers to embrace the future by tackling these obstacles.

Imagining Tomorrow: AI as a Partner in Dairy Farming 

Let’s fast-forward a decade or two. Consider a dairy farm where AI is a full-fledged operational partner rather than a technology. As artificial intelligence in agriculture gains traction, the dairy farming environment is expected to shift significantly. AI is set to transition from an auxiliary function to a fundamental element of everyday farm management for heat detection. Future technologies may autonomously forecast ideal breeding periods and whole reproductive lifecycles, allowing farmers to construct long-term fertility strategies with unprecedented accuracy.

But AI’s function will not end at heat detection. Consider the more extensive uses, which include monitoring cow health, optimizing feed, and enhancing overall animal welfare. AI systems might examine massive volumes of data worldwide, revealing previously inconceivable insights. Farms may use machine learning to enhance every part of their operations, including forecasting disease outbreaks, decreasing waste, and even altering climatic conditions to suit animal comfort. It is about revealing relationships between unseen data points to the human eye.

As a result of this progress, AI will play an essential role in data analysis and issue resolution on farms. As algorithms learn and develop, they will identify problems and provide solutions. Instead of responding to difficulties, dairy producers may anticipate and alleviate them, increasing production and sustainability. The future will be about developing more inventive, efficient dairy farms that are better for the animals and the humans who run them.

The Bottom Line

The transition from conventional eye heat detection to advanced AI-powered systems represents a considerable advancement in dairy farming. As previously discussed, firms like Nedap, DeLaval, and smaXtec are pioneering these improvements, providing solutions that minimize human effort while improving heat detection accuracy and overall herd management. These technologies increase fertility rates and productivity, allowing farmers to make more informed choices that may result in financial savings and a lower carbon impact. AI has the potential to significantly transform how data is utilized on farms, providing even more accurate treatments and greater animal welfare in the future.

Examine how these AI improvements may integrate into your farm’s operations as technology advances. Could using artificial intelligence improve your herd’s fertility management? What difficulties do you see? We urge you to share your ideas and experiences using AI technology in the comments box below. Participating in this debate might bring valuable insights as we all navigate the future of dairy farming.

Key Takeaways:

  • The integration of AI in dairy farming is transforming traditional heat detection, creating more efficient and reliable farm operations.
  • Innovative companies like Nedap, DeLaval, and smaXtec leverage technology to streamline workflows, provide real-time insights, and optimize breeding times.
  • AI-based systems offer early detection of heats, even silent ones, and help to manage fertility disorders, leading to improved pregnancy rates and reduced intervention needs.
  • With advanced herd management systems, farmers receive precise notifications for breeding and calving, enhancing productivity and lowering costs.
  • The future of dairy farming suggests an increased role for AI, promising further enhancements in efficiency, cost reduction, and animal welfare.

Summary:

In the ever-evolving world of dairy farming, heat detection has transitioned from farmers’ watchful eyes to the sophisticated realm of artificial intelligence. As global production demands escalate, farmers increasingly rely on tech solutions like automated detection systems, bolus technology, and herd management software to enhance fertility rates while decreasing labor costs. Companies such as Nedap, DeLaval, and smaXtec are at the forefront, providing tools that promise efficiency and improved productivity. AI enhances detection accuracy, supports sustainable farming by optimizing breeding schedules, and identifies fertility disorders early, making it an essential daily operations partner. These firms are transforming dairy farming into a realm where AI isn’t just a tool but a game changer, simplifying processes and boosting production to new heights.

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Unlocking the Secrets of the Uterine Microbiome: How It Affects Metritis and Pregnancy in Dairy Cows

Monday, June 17th, 2024

Discover how shifts in the uterine microbiome impact metritis recovery and pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows. Can understanding these changes improve fertility management?

Maintaining the health of your cows in dairy farming is not just a matter of animal welfare; it also directly affects your profitability. The uterine microbiome—a concoction of bacteria in the cow’s uterus—is one area of cow health that is often disregarded.    The uterine microbiome—a concoction of bacteria in the cow’s uterus—is one area of cow health that is often disregarded.     Particularly about pregnancy and metritis—a common uterine infection with symptoms including reddish-brownish, watery, and bad-smelling discharge—this little world may make a huge impact.

Why might metritis be of concern? It’s not just about treating an illness; it’s about keeping your dairy running effectively and profitably. Metritis could produce:

  • Reduced milk output
  • More veterinary expenses
  • Lessened pregnancies
  • More cows are leaving the herd.

A dairy farm that is both lucrative and sustainable depends on healthy cows. Knowing the connection between the uterine microbiota and these results will let you create better treatment plans. This information may raise your herd’s output and general condition. Interested? Keep reading to learn how changes in this sensitive ecology impact your cows and what this implies for the future of your dairy farm.

A Delicate Balance: The Essential Role of the Uterine Microbiome in Dairy Cow

Dairy cows’ reproductive health depends critically on the bacteria in their uterus, known as their uterine microbiome. This microbial population promotes the immune system and fertility, so its balance is crucial for avoiding illnesses.

Often a postpartum infection, metritis causes reddish-brown, watery, foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Usually happening in the initial weeks after calving, it influences milk output, health, and fertility. Maintaining the production and reproduction of dairy cows depends on good management.

Unraveling the Uterine Microbiome: A Key to Clinical Cure and Pregnancy Outcomes in Dairy Cows with Metritis

The main goal of this work was to investigate how differences in the uterine microbiota link with clinical cure and pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows treated for metritis. Examining microbial communities many times—upon diagnosis, during antibiotic treatment, and forty days postpartum—the research sought to find if changes in the microbiome would signal recovery and successful reproduction.

The research approached things methodically. Based on parity and days postpartum, healthy cows matched dairy cows with metritis. At diagnosis, five days after therapy, and forty days postpartum, uterine contents were collected by a transcervical lavage. Sequencing the samples for the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene gave a thorough understanding of the variety and quantity of bacterial communities. This approach made it possible to investigate the interaction among the uterine microbiota, clinical cure, and pregnancy results in great detail.

Unveiling Crucial Insights: Microbial Dynamics and Their Limited Predictive Power 

In this work, crucial uterine microbiota in dairy cows with metritis was exposed:

  • Beta-Diversification Notable differences in beta diversity were found between cows with and without metritis, continuing despite five days of antibiotic treatment.
  • Cows with metritis had more Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, and Veillonella, while cows without metritis had more Streptococcus, Sphingomonas, and Ureaplasma.

However, These bacterial alterations did not directly correlate with clinical cure rates or pregnancy outcomes, suggesting additional elements may be necessary for fertility and recovery.

The Paradox of Microbial Influence: Exploring the Uterine Microbiome’s Impact on Recovery and Fertility

This research reveals, among other important facts, the surprising discrepancy between the uterine microbiota and clinical cure and pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows treated for metritis. Against expectations, the bacterial ecosystems in the uterus did not forecast the remission of metritis or the pregnant status of the cows.

The research underlines the value of alpha diversity and richness in the uterine microbiota, mainly 40 days postpartum. Metritis and pregnancy were associated with alpha diversity, which gauges the variety and quantity of bacterial species and richness. This implies that these elements affect reproductive health as well as recovery. Still, the findings show that clinical recovery in impacted cows and fertility outcomes depend on additional elements beyond variations in the bacterial population.

Comprehensive Health: Beyond Microbes—A Multi-Faceted Approach to Dairy Cow Fertility

These research results provide crucial information for dairy production, especially in terms of controlling fertility and health in cows with metritis. Though important, the uterine microbiota is not the primary determinant of clinical cure and fertility. This calls for a multifarious strategy to enhance healing and lower fertility loss.

Farmers should use thorough health monitoring methods outside of bacterial tests. Crucially, these are regular health checks, thorough medical histories, and tracking of postpartum recovery markers. Technologies monitoring body temperature, milk supply, and blood markers may benefit early problem diagnosis and quick treatments.

Furthermore, the research emphasizes additional physiological and environmental elements that are necessary for recovery and fertility. Crucially important are adequate living circumstances, stress reduction, and effective dietary control. Balanced foods supporting immunological function, pleasant housing, and stress minimization may improve general herd welfare and fertility.

Furthermore, the deliberate use of antibiotics and other therapies tailored to each cow’s particular requirements may help control metritis and provide better clinical results.

A whole management strategy is very vital. Dealing with reproductive loss and attaining clinical cures in cows with metritis requires weighing several elements. Using this multi-dimensional approach will enable farmers to guarantee the health and production of their herds, therefore supporting environmentally friendly dairy operations.

The Bottom Line

The interaction between dairy cow health and the uterine microbiota is multifarious. Our results reveal that whereas cows with metritis exhibit apparent alterations in their microbiome, these changes do not precisely forecast clinical cure or reproductive results. Increased levels of bacteria such as Porphyromonas and Bacteroides point to a microbial imbalance in afflicted cows; this does not directly correspond with fertility, so additional elements must be involved.

Further complicating our knowledge is the persistence of microbial diversity variations postpartum. The absence of a strong relationship between microbiome composition and good pregnancy outcomes implies that elements other than bacteria—such as immunological responses, metabolic pathways, or environmental influences—might be vital for recovery and fertility.

These realizations emphasize the importance of constant study. Improving treatment plans and raising reproductive efficiency in dairy cows depend on an awareness of the complexity of the uterine surroundings. Dairy producers should work with veterinarians and researchers to maximize herd health and output, follow evidence-based guidelines, and keep current on fresh data.

By working together and with knowledge, we can lower the metritis’s financial effect and raise dairy herd’s fertility. The road is long; advancement depends on the dairy community’s active participation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Significant shifts in the uterine microbiome are associated with metritis but not directly with clinical cure or pregnancy outcomes.
  • Cows with metritis showed a higher prevalence of Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, and Veillonella even after antibiotic treatment.
  • Cows without metritis had higher levels of Streptococcus, Sphingomonas, and Ureaplasma.
  • Alpha diversity and microbial richness at 40 days postpartum were linked to reproductive health, although not to immediate fertility outcomes.
  • Beta-diversity differences persisted after treatment, indicating stable microbial alterations.
  • Additional factors beyond uterine microbial changes likely influence fertility loss and clinical cure in metritis-affected cows.
  • Ongoing research is essential to refine therapeutic strategies and enhance reproductive efficiency in dairy herds.

Summary: The uterine microbiome, a collection of bacteria in the cow’s uterus, is crucial for their reproductive health. Metritis, a common uterine infection, can lead to reduced milk output, increased veterinary expenses, reduced pregnancies, and more cows leaving the herd. Understanding the connection between the uterine microbiota and these results can help create better treatment plans and improve the herd’s output and general condition. A study examined the relationship between differences in beta diversity and clinical cure and pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows treated for metritis. Despite five days of antibiotic treatment, cows with metritis had more Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, and Veillonella, while cows without metritis had more Streptococcus, Sphingomonas, and Ureaplasma. However, these bacterial alterations did not directly correlate with clinical cure rates or pregnancy outcomes, suggesting additional elements may be necessary for fertility and recovery. The study also highlighted the importance of alpha diversity and richness in the uterine microbiota, which affects reproductive health and recovery. Constant study is essential for improving treatment plans and raising reproductive efficiency in dairy cows.

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Sire vs. Dam – Which has a Greater Impact on Your Herd’s Genetic Improvement?

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Monday, June 16th, 2014

Too many people say that dairy breeding is an art. If they manage their herds this way, they will be unable to compete in an industry that grows with science. Art places value on the ‘family’ and sees both parents contributing equally shared value to their offspring. In practicing the science of dairy cattle breeding parents are not equal when it comes to which one is the most important when deciding upon a herd’s genetic improvement plan (Read more: What’s the plan? And Flukes and Pukes – What Happens When You Don’t Have a Plan, and Pick The Right Bull – Your Future Depends on The Decisions You Make Today!).

3 Factors Determine Genetic Advancement

On a simplified basis, the rate of genetic advancement in a dairy herd is primarily a function of three factors: 1) the superiority of parents; 2) the accuracy of the parent’s genetic indexes and 3) the generation interval expressed as the time between the birth of the parent to the birth of the calf. Dairy cattle breeders have, in the past, placed a priority on intense selection, but today with genomic information generation interval is necessary.

Four Pathways for Improvement

In a population of dairy cattle there are four groups, commonly called transmission pathways that are considered when determining the overall population rate of improvement. These pathways are: 1) the Sires of Bulls (SB); 2) the Sires of Cows (SC); the Dams of Bulls (DB); and the Dams of Cows (DC). Breeders do not have equally accurate information on each pathway and definitely do not apply equal selection intensity for each pathway.

Which Breeding Scheme is the Best?

The following table outlines the importance of the different pathways for three improvement schemes when animals are ranked and selected using total merit indexes like TPI, NM$ and LPI.

Comparison of Genetic Improvement Schemes

Pathway Selection % Accuracy Generation Interval Relative Emphasis
1. Traditional Progeny Testing Program
Sires of Bulls (SB) 5 0.99 7 44%*
Sires of Cows (SC) 20 0.75 6 22%
Dams of Bulls (DB) 2 0.6 5 31%
Dams of Cows (DC) 85 0.5 4.25 3%
Relative Total Merit Genetic Gain per Year = 100%
2. Genomic Testing Program
Sires of Bulls (SB) 5 0.75 1.75 34%
Sires of Cows (SC) 20 0.75 1.75 23%
Dams of Bulls (DB) 2 0.75 2 40%*
Dams of Cows (DC) 85 0.5 4.25 3%
Relative Total Merit Genetic Gain per Year = 185% to 200%
3. Genomic Testing Program with IVF
Sires of Bulls (SB) 5 0.75 1.75 30%
Sires of Cows (SC) 10 0.75 1.75 20%
Dams of Bulls (DB) 2 0.75 2 36%*
Dams of Cows (DC) 10 0.62 2 14%
Relative Total Merit Merit Genetic Gain per Year = 225% to 250%

* Pathway of most importance The Bullvine appreciates the assistance of Dr. Larry Schaeffer, University of Guelph, in providing information for the above  table. Further details can be found in Dr. Schaeffer’s 2006 paper “Strategy for applying genomic-wide selection in dairy cattle,” Volume 123 of Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics.

Progeny Testing has Served Breeders Well

Breeders have been successful when they used the results of the traditional A.I. progeny testing programs. That is when only elite sires are used to produce bulls (SB) for progeny testing, each year newly proven sires are used to produce the heifer calves (SC), Dams of Bulls (DB) are elite indexing milking females and the bottom 10-15% of the cows in the herd are not used to produce replacement heifers. (Read more: Why you should get rid of the bottom 10% and  8 Ways DNA PROFILING Your Whole Herd Will Improve Your Breeding Program) most important pathway, by quite a distance, is the Sires of Bulls (SB) at 44%. Combined the sire pathways (SB & SC) account for 66% of the total genetic progress. That is opposite to what many breeders say ‘Sires are not as important as cow families. The cow family, in a herd, dominates.’

Genomics gives 185 – 200%

Over the past five years, breeders have become familiar with the program whereby the genomic indexes on young animals are used for animal selection.  Even though this program is much discussed, it has been implemented on less than 10% of the farms in North America. In Holsteins, less than 7% of calves registered are genomically tested. Breeders are obviously not confident with the lower accuracies and the much shorter generation intervals. So let’s dig deeper to see what the facts are when it comes to rates of genetic improvement. With the genomics program the relative importance between pathways shifts to where the Dams of Bulls (DB), at 40%, is the most important followed next by the Sires of Bulls (SB) at 34%. Again in this program, as in progeny testing, very limited selection pressure is applied to Dams of Cows (DC), pathway resulting in only 3% of the total progress. The relative ratios of improvement from sire and dam pathways is 57:43. The telltale important fact is that by using a genomic program the rate of annual genetic gain is 185% to 200% of what can be achieved by using the traditional progeny testing program. Another important difference between these two programs is that considerable money can be saved by only having to progeny test less than half as many young bulls with the genomic testing program.

Adding IVF gives 225 – 250%

Some breeders add IVF to their genomic selection program however due to costs and the challenge of mating carefully to avoid inbreeding it is not for everyone. The accuracies of this program match those of the genomic testing program, but the selection intensities are increased for the Sires of Cows (SC) pathway and greatly increased for the Dams of Cows (DC) pathway. For all pathways the generation intervals are short, something many breeders state as being a concern.  These farms use IVF on maiden heifers to produce all of the next generation of animals. Again the most important pathway is the Dams of Bulls (DB) at 36%.  However, the differences between emphasis on the pathways is narrowed. The ratio of emphasis sires to dams is 50:50. Farms employing this program can have annual rates of genetic gain of 225% to 250% compared to what is possible for herds using a progeny testing program. To fund this more expensive program breeders often sell surplus embryos or animals.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Determining which parent pathway is the most important rests with which testing and selection program a breeder wants to follow. For breeders using the traditional progeny testing program by far the most important animals are the sires of the young bulls (SB) that enter A.I. progeny testing programs. For breeders wanting to advance their herds at a faster rate by using the less accurate genomic information and shorter generation intervals, the dams of the bulls (DB) is the most important pathway. No matter which program a breeder chooses it is important to have a plan and always use the best available animals.

 

 

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Other posts you might like:

IVF: Boom or Bust for the Dairy Industry
They`re Sold On Polled!!
Polled Genetics: Way of the Future or Passing Fad?

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Who Said You Can’t Breed For Higher Fertility?

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Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

If you were to describe the perfect program to achieve top female fertility in your herd, what would it be? Would your program include heifers calving at 22 months of age and every 11-13 months thereafter until lifetime production reaches 275,000 lbs (125,000 kgs) of milk? For decades breeders have heard that they can’t breed for fertility. It’s all management and nutrition. Well that story is changing. Let’s examine how genetics can play a role in improved fertility in a herd.

The Current Scenario

The CDCB (Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding) has summarized the following current reproduction information on the current US dairy cattle.

  • Holstein cows take 2.5 breedings per conception. Jerseys take 2.2.
  • Holstein cows average 80 days in milk before they are bred. Jerseys average 77 days.
  • Average calving interval for Holstein cows that calve back is 13.8 months. Jerseys average 13.0 months.
  • Average conception rate for Holstein cows is 32%. Jerseys average 41%.
  • Average age at first calving in Holsteins is 26 months. Jerseys average 23.5 months.

These stats for Holsteins and Jerseys are provided for breeders to benchmark their herds, not to start a breed war. In five years’ time even if a Holstein herd was able to achieve the current Jersey average it will not be good enough. The three biggest factors that stand out from these stats and that are in need of correction are: 1) days to first breeding; 2) number of breedings before conception; and 3) age at first calving.

As it turns out the reproductive performance of North American dairy cows and herds reached their lowest level in 2007 and since then there has been minor genetic improvement.

Source: CDN – March 2010 – A Look at Fertility from Two perspective

Source: CDN – March 2010 – A Look at Fertility from Two perspective

Breeders Must Address Fertility

An attitude shift is needed. We must move from tolerance of fertility to awareness that genetics plays a role. Not all breeders have accepted the need for change. The Bullvine analysed the sires with the most progeny registered with Holstein US over the past two weeks and found that nine, yes nine, of the top twenty had negative genetic ratings for Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR). In fact two sires had significant negative ratings of -2.5 and -3.5. In addition four of the twenty had only slightly positive ratings. In total 13 of the top 20 sires were not breed improvers for DPR. That is significant!

Some breeders have paid attention to the management side of fertility and have increased their pregnancy rate by aggressive heat detection, by using professional A.I. reproduction specialists (Read more: Artificial Insemination – Is Doing It Yourself Really Saving You Money?) by installing heat detection devices or by using hormone level monitors (Read more: Better Decision Making by Using Technology). However from the latest reports from milk recording, half the herds have a pregnancy percent of less than 15%. And only 10% of herds have a pregnancy rate of 21% or more. Clearly more attention needs to be paid to getting cows and heifers pregnant.

Genetic Tools to Aid with Fertility

Daughter Pregnancy Rate (USA) and Daughter Fertility (Canada) are the primary genetic evaluation ratings to use when selecting for improved female fertility. These indexes are created using data from insemination, milk recording and type classification.

However there are eleven other genetic ratings that have some influence on reproduction. Individually they may not be significant but collectively they can contribute to reproductive problems or solutions.

  • Calving Ease – difficult births delay cows coming into heat
  • Maternal Calving Ease – normal delivery benefits – cow, calf and staff
  • SCC – cows with mastitis are less likely to conceive
  • Feet – problem cows are not mobile and do not show heats
  • Rear Legs Rear View – cows that toes out are not as mobile
  • Milk Yield – high milk yield stresses cows. Breed for high fat and protein yields on lower volumes of milk.
  • Body Condition Score – high yielding cows that retain body condition are more fertile
  • Persistency – high lactation yielding cows that have flatter lactation curves put less strain on their bodies
  • Inbreeding – inbreeding negatively affects reproduction
  • Haplotypes – information is now coming available to show that certain haploids hinder reproduction
  • Semen Conception Rate – although not a genetic rating, low fertility semen should be avoided

Those are the tools available today. We can expect that, with the current research into genomics and reproduction, there will be new ratings to assist with breeding more reproductively sound animals in the future.

Selection Matters

The Bullvine recommends that after breeders short list the sires they intend to use that they eliminate sires that do not have a DPR over 1.0  or a DF over 103. Yes, female fertility is included in TPI, NM$ and LPI but the emphasis on fertility in these total merit indexes is not high enough to result in major genetic improvement for fertility. The following lists of bulls are examples of bulls that significantly improve total merit as well as female fertility.

Table 1 Top Ranking US Sires by Daughter Pregnancy Rate

Top Ranking Sires by Daughter Pregnancy Rate

Table 2 Top Ranking CDN Sires by Daughter Fertility

Top Ranking CDN Sires by Daughter Fertility

Action Plan

It is important for both herd viability and sustainability that the following steps be followed.

  1. Do not use bulls that are genetically inferior for reproductive traits.
  2. Genomically test heifer calves. Eliminate reproductively inferior cows and heifers.
  3. Include genomic reproductive information when correctively mating females.
  4. Use heat detection devices, hormone level monitoring equipment or intensive staff heat detection.
  5. Use herd management software and herd protocols to assist with reproductive management.
  6. Ensure that animal housing and animal grouping result in healthy animals
  7. Feed cows and heifers according to their performance and reproductive needs
  8. Employ staff training and education program for reproduction.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

The genetic attention starting to be given to female reproduction on dairy farms is long overdue. The first step for breeders is to include reproduction in your herd genetic improvement plan (Read more: What’s the plan?). In as little as five years, by following a progressive proactive plan, breeders will significantly reduce their losses due to reproduction.

 

 

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Other posts you might like:

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