A.I. & Breeding

Operating a business without a plan is like going on a road trip without directions. A wanderlust attitude might lead to some interesting paths, but it will not get you to your destination quickly or efficiently. Taking such a whimsical approach could ultimately jeopardize your livelihood.

Don’t let poor semen tank maintenance and management be the cause of poor semen fertility. Use this handy checklist to ensure proper handling for best semen performance. Properly cool forceps or tweezers before handling of semen. 

“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.”

—General George S. Patton Jr., one of the top U.S. commanders in World War II

Although not necessarily directly in combat, dairy producers can relate with the legend’s drive in trying times. Nicknamed “Old Blood and Guts,” the general got results as a masterful strategist. His ideas were frequently contrary to common thought processes.

An opportunity for capturing higher profits may be hiding in a herd’s voluntary waiting period (VWP).

“With better control of when cows get pregnant, you can then control the timing of the pregnancies to when cows make you the most money.”

The science of monitoring milk yield and deviations from the expected lactation curve dates back more than half a century – when Dairy Herd Improvement testing began.

In August 2018, six new health traits – milk fever, displaced abomasum, ketosis, mastitis, metritis and retained placenta – were introduced to the Net Merit index (NM$), adding to a growing list of low heritability traits available in the last few years.