Five Fundamentals to Improve Herd Reproduction

To achieve the best reproductive performance, we need to go back to the basics to get cows off to the right start after freshening. Compliance with synchronization programs, proper heat detection, semen handling and correct artificial (AI) technique are essential to improve reproductive performance. Keep in mind that reproduction for a lactating cow is a luxury.

Five fundamentals to improve herd reproduction:

1. Transition period: Everything that happens to a cow before, during and after calving will determine how she will perform reproductively. A correct dry period for each lactation group is very important. First lactation cows will have a shorter gestation period (about eight to 10 days). This needs to be considered when setting dry periods for first lactation cows. A correct fresh cow program will result in fewer sick cows, retained placentas, metritis and fresh cow problems, such as ketosis, milk fever and mastitis.
2. Synchronization of ovulation: Not all cows show heat on their own. To help these cows, an estrous synchronization program is the best way to get them pregnant. The first step is to determine what synchronization protocol to implement and the voluntary waiting period (VWP). How soon is too soon? Sometimes, simple is better. The other question with some protocols is if we should or should not “cherry pick” cows coming in heat before the first timed AI (TAI)? If conception rates on those breedings are not high enough, don’t bother doing them. Another issue we encounter is how to resynchronize cows once they are declared open. How to resynchronize cows depends on if we can ultrasound or if cows will be palpated. Ultrasound provides earlier pregnancy diagnosis, which allows dairy producers to resynchronize cows sooner.
3. Semen handling: Semen handling is one aspect that can really hurt a dairy herd’s conception rates. All AI companies strive to produce the best quality semen to get cows pregnant. Yet, many issues can arise when handling semen. Any drastic change in temperature will affect semen quality. Thaw units must be cleaned and water changed, daily. Using gun warmers will help maintain semen quality until the cow is bred. An AI gun must be in good working condition and especially clean. How we transfer semen from the semen tank to the thaw unit also has an effect on semen quality. Canisters should not be raised higher than the tank’s frost line. Semen must be transferred from the tank and into the thaw unit within five seconds. Thawing temperature should be 97 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit for a quarter cc straw, with a thaw time of at least 45 seconds. Pre-warm sheaths and AI guns inside the gun warmer and proceed to load your guns. The time between thawing and breeding the last cow should not exceed 10 minutes.
4. AI technique: Proper AI technique is basic to achieve the best performance. Cows that are going to be bred must be secured or restrained for breeding. Wipe the vulva with a paper towel. Insert a sheath protector in the vagina at a 45-degree angle. Once the protector is in place, introduce the AI gun and place at the cervix opening. Retract the sheath protector and proceed to pass the cervix. Once you pass the cervix, check your position. Deposit semen about a 0.25 inch past the cervix’s anterior opening. DO NOT horn breed; you can cause more damage than good by doing this. After breeding the cow, dispose of all materials in the proper place.
5. Heat detection: All the above steps will not be enough if the cow being bred is not in heat or has not been set up correctly for TAI. Heat detection is the most important aspect to get a cow pregnant. If the cow is not in heat (or proper TAI), you can’t get her pregnant. Heat detection is a skill that requires dedication and time. A cow that is in strong, standing heat is easy to identify, but not all cows show strong signs of heat. This is when a skilled breeder can make the difference. Looking for secondary signs of heat and being able to breed that extra cow will result in more pregnancies a year. If we find an extra cow to breed a day, we could potentially breed 365 cows per year. With a 40 percent conception rate, we can create 146 extra pregnancies per year – resulting in 73 extra replacement heifers – just using conventional semen. Excellent heat detection will increase service rates and will result in higher pregnancy rates.

Editors Note: This article appears in the November E-Moos newsletter published by the Central Plains Dairy Expo and is used here with permission.