A.I. & Breeding

New technologies are continuously becoming available to improve herd reproduction. Have you recently evaluated your dairy’s program to determine where there is room for improvement?

Timed A.I. can enhance pregnancy rates and efficiency, but protocols are not bulletproof. If results seem subpar, take a whole dairy investigative approach. Reproduction drives everything on a dairy. And nearly everything affects reproduction.

While a great many dairy producers are breeding their lower-end cows to beef bulls, that might not be your best option, according to Dr. Dan Schaefer, professor and former chair of animal sciences at the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He has been researching Holstein steers since 1982.

A 10-year study from the University of Minnesota indicates cows from a specific crossbreeding rotation generated as much as 13% more daily profit than their purebred Holstein herdmates.

Taking steps to positively impact the dairy cow reproduction system is always a smart economic move. One of those steps is managing inflammation related to calving.

It’s been nearly 75 years since the introduction of frozen semen for artificial insemination (A.I.) and 10 years since genomic selection. During those years, the U.S. has catapulted itself to the position of world leader in bovine genetics, which is a comfortable position to be in.