Dairy Reproduction

Turn Repro into Cashflow with These Three Fixes

Wed, 06 May 2026 15:25:58 GMT

There is a hidden cashflow lever that a lot of dairies can pull today to increase income in the next 12 months, and it is buried in your repro program.

With the value of a calf right now, we want cows getting pregnant as quickly as possible and turning as many calves over as possible. Those calves are an immediate source of income as soon as they hit the ground. That makes pregnancy rate (PR) the “North Star” of the breeding program. The target I want to get dairies to hit is 40% pregnancy rate (PR), and if a dairy isn’t there, here are the three areas I focus on to get more cows pregnant sooner:

Training: You may have a skilled breeder inseminating cows, but even a good breeder can benefit from a refresher course to gain PR points. It’s not uncommon for me to spend time along side the breeder and find that protocols have drifted and become costly habits. For example, on a recent farm visit, we found that semen was being deposited in the uterine horn. One simple retraining and repro improved within a couple of months.
Timing: Shot compliance is paramount. While some people may start out in the appropriate time range, by the time they are done giving shots, the timing is way off. Not only is the timing of shots key, but it’s also important to train employees to do some heat detection and catch good standing heats. These cows are the low-hanging fruit for getting additional pregnancies before a cycle passes by.
Technique: Cow handling technique is the other area where errors occur, compliance wanes and efficiency can be lost. I see a lot of people walking the pens and trying to give shots while the cows are moving. You might get the shot in the cow, but not the full injection. Not to mention, the additional stress you are creating for that cow and the entire pen. If you are trying to catch cows coming out of the parlor, try locking up the first group and releasing them to open up lockups for the last cows coming back to the pen, which are the ones most likely to get missed.

Focusing on these three key areas can pull the lever on pregnancy rate and thus, give you more calves on the ground that can turn into cash quickly.

Where Crossbreds Fit in Today’s Genetic Evaluations

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:26:15 GMT

When crossbreeding started picking up steam in U.S. dairy herds, the genetic toolbox wasn’t really built for the cows’ producers had in their barns.

Genetic evaluations worked well for purebreds, but for Holstein–Jersey crosses and other combinations, the system only went so far and accuracy dropped. That gap is what the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) set out to address.

In a recent episode of the CDCB Cow Cast, George Wiggans, longtime USDA research geneticist and current CDCB technical advisor, walked through how genomic evaluations and Breed Base Representation (BBR) have changed the way crossbred dairy cattle are evaluated.

Why Crossbreds Didn’t Quite Fit

For a long time, dairy genetic evaluations were built around purebred populations, which worked well when most herds were fairly uniform and selection stayed within a single breed.

Evaluations were done within each breed, so crossbred animals didn’t always line up as well in the system and their results were less accurate. As crossbreeding became more common in commercial herds, especially in Holstein–Jersey systems aimed at balancing production and components, those gaps became more noticeable. The system could still generate numbers, but they didn’t always reflect what was happening in mixed-breed cows.

Meanwhile, the industry’s data foundation was still developing. For decades, most genetic progress came from what Wiggans calls the basics.

“We still relied on traditional evaluations, which pulled together data from farms across the country and even around the world to figure out which animals perform best,” Wiggans says. “Then we would take all that information across the traits we measure and combine it into a profile or index that would help predict how profitable an animal would be.”

That system has long been used in dairy genetics, but it didn’t always handle animals with mixed-breed backgrounds as smoothly.

Genomics Opens the Door

Genomics changed how geneticists approach evaluations. Instead of relying only on performance records, the system now uses DNA to connect specific parts of the genome to trait outcomes.

Wiggans says this is done using what are called reference populations.

“The concept is that by having a large reference population, we can assign genetic values to these segments of the chromosome,” Wiggans says. “So, when we put it all together and add it all up, we can say, we think that this is going to be the cow’s productivity for each of the traits we analyze.”

He explains genomic evaluation as building a kind of genetic mosaic, where pieces of DNA get value based on data from large groups of known animals. This worked well for purebreds, but for crossbreds there was still a missing piece: a consistent way to describe breed makeup in a way national evaluations could use directly.

BBR Gives Crossbreds a Place

To address that gap, the industry developed Breed Base Representation, or BBR.

“Recognizing that we would like to extend the genomic evaluations to crossbreds, we needed some way of identifying what the breed background was of an animal,” Wiggans says.

BBR uses genomic data to estimate how much of each breed is in an animal.

“We used kind of an interesting approach here… Why don’t we use the same idea to estimate how much Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, and other breeds are in an animal,” Wiggans says.

Purebred animals serve as the starting point because their genetics are clearly defined.

“We treat a purebred animal as fully belonging to its breed, like giving it a ‘1’ for that breed and a ‘0’ for all other breeds,” Wiggans says. “Then we use genetic markers, called SNPs, to estimate how much of each breed is in mixed animals.”

From there, each animal gets a breed breakdown.

“So, an animal could be 75% Holstein and 25% Jersey,” Wiggans says. “That’s what Breed Base Representation, or BBR, reports.”

BBR breaks an animal’s genetics into breed percentages, giving producers a clearer way to understand and compare crossbred animals. He adds that the approach is considered highly accurate because it’s based on large amounts of genetic data from many animals.

Putting Breed Mix into One Number

BBR describes what breeds are in an animal. The next step is turning that information into a usable evaluation.

“By having this BBR that we’ve discussed, we can say, well, let’s just do a weighted average,” Wiggans says. “We’ll multiply each evaluation by the percent of each breed that it is, add it all up, then that will be our evaluation of this animal.”

Each breed contributes to the final score based on how much of that breed is in the animal. A higher percentage of a breed means it has more influence on the outcome. The final result is one evaluation number for crossbred animals that reflects their actual genetic makeup, instead of forcing them into a single-breed category that doesn’t fully represent them.

Crossbreds are Now Part of the System

As genomic testing has expanded, crossbreds have become a bigger part of the national dataset.

“So, not surprisingly, Holstein numbers were over 9 million last year, with Jersey coming in second,” Wiggans says. “But what stands out is that crossbreds are now the third largest group. So, providing evaluations for crossbred met a real need in the industry.”

Today, crossbred animals are included in the evaluation system. Tools are now in place to better reflect how they are bred and managed on today’s dairies. As genetic evaluations continue to evolve, Wiggans expects crossbreds to remain part of the picture.

“We’re working on strategies to take this into account so that the evaluation simultaneously considers both the genetics and her traditional data,” he says. “We expect that we’ll still offer evaluations for these animals, so that the BBR will continue to have a role in the evaluations.”

The result is a system that better matches the cows’ producers are working with every day, bringing crossbreds fully into the genetic conversation.

Targeted Reproductive Management: Taking Calf Creation to the Next Level

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:26:36 GMT

Within the lifetimes of many current U.S. dairy producers, artificial insemination (AI), sexed semen, embryo transfer (ETU), ovum pick-up (OPU), and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) all have evolved to enhance dairy cattle reproduction.

Now, individual-cow monitoring technology is being used to drive the next wave of dairy reproductive improvement: Targeted Reproductive Management (TRM).

Dr. Glaucio Lopes, who leads the monitoring success team for Merck Animal Health, USA, , explained that TRM leverages individual-cow data that detects estrus activity to more selectively and effectively implement hormone-driven estrus synchronization protocols.

Using activity monitoring tools like SenseHub® Dairy, one example of TRM stratifies cows into two groups early in lactation: those that expressed a strong, spontaneous estrus cycle before the end of voluntary waiting period (VWP), and those that did not. If they did not, they are enrolled immediately in a fertility program like Double Ovsynch that includes timed artificial insemination at the end. If they did, they are assumed to be more naturally fertile, and are allowed more time to be bred upon observation of another heat cycle. If that doesn’t happen within a prescribed number of days, they too are then enrolled in a synchronization program.

In short, TRM provides more time for cows that expressed early lactation natural estrus before beginning hormone-based synchronization, and less to those that did not – essentially targeted the use of manual synchronization and timed insemination on cows that need it most.

Lopes said one TRM study showed researchers were able to decrease the overall use of reproductive hormones by 57%. At the same time, the likelihood of pregnancy at 305 days in milk was increased in second-lactation and older cows that did not show strong signs of estrus early postpartum.

Enrolling fewer cows in hormone-based breeding programs not only lowers drug costs and saves on labor, but also creates fewer physical disruptions. More cows are allowed to carry out their natural behaviors of eating, drinking, and resting without spending time in headlocks.

Researchers at the University of Florida put the principles of TRM to the test in two north-central Florida Holstein herds, the results of which were recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science . Dr. Ricardo Chebel and his team evaluated 539 first-calf heifers and 941 second-lactation and older cows.

The more mature cows were assigned a VWP of 40-41 days in milk, while the first-calf heifers had a VWP of 54-55 days in milk. Half of the animals in each age group were treated as a control group and enrolled in Double Ovsynch regardless of estrus behavior. This occurred at 68-69 days in milk for the older cows and 82-83 days for the first-calf heifers.

In the TRM group, older cows that had expressed estrus within the VWP were inseminated upon detected estrus starting at 50 days in milk, and first-calf heifers starting at 64 days in milk. If they had not been detected in estrus during the VWP, they were enrolled in Double Ovsynch at the same time as their corresponding parity in the control groups.

Re-insemination of open cows in the control group was based on visual or patch-aided estrus detection, while TRM cows were re-inseminated based on activity monitor feedback for estrus activity. This resulted in the open TRM animals being re-inseminated more quickly.

Among the results: more cows from the TRM group eventually calved and started a new lactation compared to the controls (82.6% versus 77.2%), and fewer of them were sold (15.5% versus 20.8%). The TRM cows also used an average of just 4.5 doses of reproductive hormones, compared to about 10.1 doses for the control cows.

Chebel noted that in this particular experiment, TRM improved gross profit per cow by $108 per head compared to the control animals. He said factors that contributed to that figure included improved pregnancy success – regardless of parity -- that changed culling dynamics; fewer cow sales that led to reduced replacement costs; and increased calf value created by the ability to target strategic semen selection toward the most fertile cycles.

Does Bird Flu Have an Effect on Cow Fertility?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:52:17 GMT

When highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) first hit U.S. dairies, it threw the industry into unfamiliar territory. With so many unknowns, the immediate focus was on slowing the spread and caring for the cows that were affected.

Now, with more of the puzzle pieces coming together, researchers are beginning to step back and look at the bigger picture, examining how the virus affects cows not only in the days and weeks after infection, but what it may mean for their health and performance long after.

On a recent episode of “The Dairy Podcast Show”, Jennifer Spencer and Juan Pinedo, Extension dairy specialists with Texas A&M, came together to better understand what this virus is doing to reproduction — and if infected cows will be paying the price for years.

What Does HPAI Mean for Cow Fertility?

Spencer and Pinedo are just starting to study HPAI’s long-term effects, and their work is one of the first to measure how it may impact reproduction in U.S. dairy herds. Early signs point to a real effect on reproductive performance, particularly in younger animals, though the science is still evolving.

“We really want to know if it does impact reproduction,” Spencer says. “We want to let the producers know so they can understand if they might have to cull heavier to make sure that they’re managing this and replacing the cows in a timely manner — for sustainability of the herd and also to help maintain or improve their profitability.”

Like all major health events, HPAI is predicted to have an impact on cow fertility or pregnancy loss. But for Spencer and Pinedo, they are trying to figure out to what degree.

“We know that when cows get sick, they shift their energy toward fighting an infection rather than reproducing,” Spencer explains. “If these cattle that are infected with HPAI are having reduced milk production, feed intake and rumination, then there’s a high probability it’s impacting reproductive efficiency and their performance.”

Pinedo adds this pattern isn’t unique to HPAI, but still worth studying.

“Just like with any other systemic disease, having a detrimental effect in repro performance is something that we will expect,” Pinedo explains.

Dig Into Herd Data

In March 2025, Spencer’s team received rapid-response funding from USDA APHIS to study how HPAI affects reproduction in dairy herds. They designed a retrospective observational study, analyzing on-farm records from January 2021 through each herd’s HPAI outbreak and beyond.

“We’re looking at data from January 2021 until they had an HPAI outbreak,” Spencer says. “How we’re determining that is based not just on what the producer says, but by also analyzing the records and looking for that drastic drop in milk production, because that’s kind of the overall sign when they had an HPAI outbreak.”

To give the team a wide view of how HPAI is affecting herds in different settings, the project spans across three dairy regions with five to 10 dairies per region. These areas include the:

South Central
Western U.S.
Pacific Northwest

“We want to get information from different environments to have a better idea of the geographical differences, and what they deal with heat-stress-wise, or the feed availability,” Spencer says. “This will give us a 30,000' view of what is happening.”

A Hit on Heifers

While the full analysis is still in progress, the team has already taken a close look at one South Central dairy, and the early patterns are raising important questions in heifers. The study found conception rates dropped during the outbreak year but appeared to rebound the following year.

“For heifers, they actually had about a 5% decrease in their conception rates during 2024 from March until December, but that appears to go back up in 2025,” Spencer reports.

Pinedo added specific figures to put the changes into perspective.

“There was a 52% conception rate, and they dropped during the outbreak to 45%. The year after, they came back to 50%,” he notes.

These numbers show that while conception rates began to recover after the outbreak, they didn’t fully return to pre-HPAI levels. Spencer notes heifers needed more services per conception, suggesting the virus may have lingering effects on reproductive efficiency.

“For heifers, we saw an increase in services per conception, but they’ve remained higher. They went from about a 1.5 up to like 2, 2.2 number of times bred for their heifers, and it’s continuing into 2025,” she adds.

Spencer admits that wasn’t what they expected.

“We didn’t think that heifers would be impacted,” she says.

Complicating things further, some of the heifers in question were born to cows infected late in gestation.

“Some of those heifers were actually from cows that were in their third trimester of their pregnancy, so that may be a contributing factor,” Spencer adds. “There’s so many moving parts in it.”

How Are Cows Being Impacted?

For cows, the pattern is more complex. Unlike heifers, which showed a relatively clear dip and rebound in conception rates, mature cows showed more varied responses to HPAI. Some herds experienced noticeable declines during the outbreak, while others were less affected.

“We did see conception rates appeared to decrease in all of the lactations,” Spencer notes. “But for the first and third and greater lactations, they seem to be going back up, whereas the second lactation seems to be kind of having a harder time rebounding.”

Those second-lactation cows are noteworthy because many were first-lactation animals during the outbreak itself.

“It seems as if perhaps a first-lactation animal, which you might think would be more resilient to recover, maybe, is having more longer-term effects on at least reproduction, as opposed to older cattle,” Pinedo adds.

These unexpected patterns have the researchers taking a closer look at the number to try and determine why younger animals are taking a bigger reproductive hit.

How Much Should We Read Into Early HPAI Data?

While the data is eye-opening, both researchers are quick to point out that the findings are still early, and there’s a lot they don’t yet know.

“This is research that is at the very early stages, and it’s a retrospective observational study,” Pinedo emphasizes. “You really want to control confounders; it’s nothing that we could jump into conclusions [about] right now.”

He lists the kinds of changes every producer lives with year to year:

“You have bull genetics that will have changed, repro program that will have changed, feed that will have changed, heat abatement technologies, so many confounders that affect repro that have to be controlled,” he says.

Spencer sees the same complexity in the field of research.

“What if they changed a breeder? Or what if they started using precision technologies on their heifers, so their heat detection rate went up? These are things we have to take into consideration,” she says.

For now, the research is still in its early stages, but the data suggest HPAI does have reproductive effects worth paying attention to, especially in younger animals. As the team continues to analyze records and track herd performance, these early insights can help producers keep a closer eye on animals who were impacted by the virus and make more informed decisions for the long-term health and fertility of their herds.

Fewer Heifers Mean Higher Stakes for Reproduction

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:55:07 GMT

Over the last 20 years, reproduction in dairy herds has changed in ways that were hard to imagine two decades ago. Pregnancy rates that once sat in the low teens are now climbing to levels that have reshaped how farms manage breeding decisions.

“We’ve seen average preg rates go from 13% to 14% to herds that now push 40%,” says Paul Fricke, professor and Extension specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, on a recent Dairy Health Blackbelt podcast. “That’s why we’re using sexed semen and beef semen. It’s changed everything.”

However, that progress comes with a tradeoff. As sexed semen is used more strategically and beef semen fills in elsewhere, farms are raising fewer replacement heifers. According to Fricke, that makes it harder to absorb mistakes.

“My argument has been we’ve got to be better with those fewer heifers from a reproductive standpoint,” he says.

With fewer heifers in the pipeline, every breeding decision carries more weight. Missed heats, mistimed inseminations or extended days open can quickly add cost and delay animals entering the milking herd. Fricke says heifer reproduction can’t be treated as a low-priority task. Getting heifers pregnant at the right time, he says, matters more when fewer replacements are available.

Rethink Timed AI in Heifers

As farms work to manage heifer breeding more consistently with fewer replacements, many have turned to synchronization programs to simplify decisions and reduce reliance on heat detection. Timed-AI protocols are now common on many farms because they’re easier to manage with limited labor, but Fricke says they aren’t without limitations. He points to the 5-day CIDR-Synch protocol as a common starting point for heifers, noting that its biggest challenge comes down to timing.

“The big problem with these protocols is they’re not 100% timed AI protocols,” Fricke explains. “We’ll see about 27% to 33% of heifers coming to heat a day early.”

That early estrus creates management challenges and opens the door to mistimed inseminations. To address it, Fricke’s team tested a simple change by leaving the progesterone insert in place for an extra 24 hours.

“There were 12% of the heifers that came into heat early on the 5-day treatment, compared with only 1% on the 6-day treatment,” he says. “With conventional semen in Holstein heifers, there was no decline in fertility.”

Does Sexed Semen Need a Different Approach?

That consistency, however, doesn’t always carry over when sexed semen is used. Fricke says many farms manage sexed semen the same way they would conventional semen, which can lead to lower conception rates than expected.

“Sex[ed] semen is quite different,” he says. “What I generally see is low conception rates. I think it’s a timing of insemination issue.”

In a Wisconsin study across three farms using sexed semen, once-daily heat detection with prostaglandin achieved a 45% conception rate. The 5-day CIDR protocol improved conception to 52%. But the 6-day protocol fell back to 45%.

“The worst thing you can do with sex[ed] semen is inseminate too early,” Fricke says. “And that’s what we did. We kind of set them up to get bred too early.”

Look Beyond Upfront Costs

While synchronization protocols often draw scrutiny for their upfront cost, Fricke argues that focusing only on protocol price misses the bigger economic picture. The real driver of profitability in heifer reproduction, he says, is days on feed.

“The big thing about repro in heifers is limiting total days on feed, because total days on feed is determined by when you get the heifers pregnant,” he says. “That feed cost is something that a lot of farmers don’t look at. It’s the classic kind of unfunded cost, right? The hidden cost.”

In his comparison of minimal estrus synchronization versus CIDR-based programs, the upfront numbers favor the simpler approach. Protocol costs averaged $4.05 per pregnancy for the estrus group, compared to $22.29 for the CIDR group. But the CIDR heifers were inseminated 12 days earlier and pregnant eight days sooner.

“The feed costs were $82 for the estrus group versus $50 for the CIDR group,” Fricke says. “So, we’re actually $16.66 more profitable per pregnancy by being more aggressive with the heifers.”

For Fricke, how the numbers are presented is just as important as the results.

“Farmers will look at the upfront cost,” he says. “We need to show them this is an investment, not just a cost.”

Make Every Heifer Count

As herds rely on fewer replacement heifers, the stakes for getting each one pregnant at the right time are higher than ever. Every day a heifer remains open adds feed costs and can delay her entry into the milking herd, making careful management more critical.

“When I look at dairies, the low-hanging fruit now is the heifer side,” Fricke says. “Heifers are kind of out of sight, out of mind, but heifers are important.”

Fricke emphasizes success in heifer reproduction is no longer just about hitting pregnancy targets. It’s about making the most of each heifer and ensuring the herd stays on track. By understanding how protocols, semen type and timing interact, and by viewing upfront breeding costs as an investment rather than an expense, farms can protect their replacement strategy and improve profitability across the herd.

Can We Shape Calves Before Birth?

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:35:49 GMT

What if the most powerful determinant of a calf’s lifetime performance isn’t the genetics you select or the ration you feed, but the environment that calf experienced as a one-cell embryo? As research accelerates, developmental programming is becoming one of the most promising frontiers in cattle reproduction.

For two decades, the beef and dairy industries have focused relentlessly on improving fertility — and it worked. Conception rates rose, days open stabilized and the long slide in reproductive performance reversed. With conventional reproductive efficiency nearing a functional ceiling, scientists are shifting attention upstream, where the environment itself may program the future trajectory of the calf.

It’s well known that a resulting phenotype represents the consequence of genotype and environmental interactions. The performance of an animal depends on the genes they inherited, how much feed they get, whether they get sick, whether it’s hot or cold, and a plethora of other environmental factors.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in optimizing the environment that those animals are raised in by providing the best nutrition, the best housing, the optimal photo period and treating disease with pharmaceuticals to optimize phenotype,” says Peter Hansen of the University of Florida. “But we usually do that after the animals are born. We don’t really think too much about what is happening to those animals when they’re embryos or when they’re fetuses or even when the germ cells are being produced.”

Evidence of Developmental Programming

Recent work has shown us the environment of the mother and the early embryo can affect the postnatal phenotype of that embryo. The environment of the fetus can affect what kind of calf it becomes.

When embryos are produced in vitro, they are put in an artificial medium. Under normal protocols, this culture medium is choline-free. Choline is a methyl donor that may factor into the one-carbon metabolism of bovine embryos. In the uterus, choline is present at millimolar concentrations.

Work led by Eliam Estrada-Cortes in Dr. Hansen’s lab investigated the effect of culturing bovine embryos with or without choline. They found choline cultured embryos resulted in calves that were heavier at weaning with altered muscle DNA methylation.

“We’ve done this experiment three times, and each time the choline calves weigh more than the calves without choline. And that goes all the way through to slaughter,” Hansen says. A nutrient present (or absent) in the culture dish during critical development time can make a big difference.

The condition of the fertilizing bull can also affect embryonic development and quality. Arslan Tariq from the University of Florida investigated the effect of bull overnutrition on fertility, finding heavier bulls produced semen that delayed embryonic development and decreased embryo quality, without changes to sperm motility or fertilization rate.

Historically, seminal plasma is removed from sperm for artificial insemination as it contains elements that can be detrimental during storage. That being said, seminal plasma modulates the maternal environment in a significant way, impacting the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. As a part of her PhD thesis, Gabriela Macay at the University of Florida evaluated the reproductive, health and production performance of female offspring conceived in the presence of seminal plasma. These animals had increased birth weights, increased milk yield and had greater persistence in the herd compared to controls.

“What we now know is the environment of the mother that the early embryo is in can affect the postnatal phenotype of that embryo. The environment of the fetus can affect what kind of calf it becomes,” Hansen says. “And the environment of the bull.”

How Does This Affect Reproductive Management?

Developmental programming shifts reproductive management from a focus on achieving conception to a broader view of how early-life conditions shape an animal’s long-term health, productivity and resilience. This expands the veterinary role from problem solver to long term system designer who helps producers make choices that shape herd-level outcomes years down the line.

The next revolution in cattle reproduction may come from understanding the earliest biological environment that determines how a calf learns to grow, metabolize and perform.

New Genetic Tools Address Reality of Cow Longevity

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 21:47:14 GMT

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding’s (CDCB) 2025 industry meeting at World Dairy Expo drew a crowd of nearly 600 in Madison and online. The research presentations and producer panel focused on the work CDCB has pledged to accomplish as well as the on-farm impact.

Milking speed, released as an official evaluation as of August 2025, will remain separate from net merit. As the available data set grows, the next step is integration with automatic milking.

“The heritability for milking speed was estimated to be 42%,” says Kristen Gaddis, Ph.D., CDCB geneticist. “Even with a fairly modest data set we can get relatively high reliabilities already at the start.”

When it comes to calf health, John B. Cole, Ph.D., says genomic evaluations for respiratory disease and scours in Holsteins and Jerseys are up next.

“They’re going to be based on producer-reported data from the field,” Cole says. “These evaluations will help us produce healthier calves that will move from birth through the growth phase, and then they will enter the milking string at a higher rate than less healthy calves. That’s going to let you make the most of your investment in your genetics program and your calf program.”

Cole urges producers to continue submitting complete data, and reminds that opt-in is required for CDCB to use the information.

According to Ashley Ling, Ph.D., lameness research is two prong: hoof-health evaluations (grouped infectious/non-infectious lesion incidence) and a novel mobility measure from camera and AI systems. The mobility work, she says, shows milk loss rises with lameness; preliminary heritability is moderate, suggesting selection can help alongside management.

Using What We Know to Let Cows Live Longer

Albert De Vries, Ph.D., University of Florida, is examining genetic gains in production to answer the question: Why are cows that are able to stay much longer in the herd not staying longer in the herd?

He cautions against lifetime as the target: “You want to maximize profitability per unit of the most limiting factor, and a reasonable metric for that is profitability per cow per year.”

When it comes to on-farm factors that correlate with longevity, here’s what three producers have to say:

Glenn Kline (Y Run Farms LLC, Pa.) – His team uses beef-on-dairy and IVF to concentrate replacements from top females. “Back in 2011 we started on genomic testing, and boy, that’s made a huge difference on our herd,” he says. “We’ve been using beef on dairy to keep our lower production cows using beef, and we use IVF to try to make better heifers of the good ones.”
Eric Grotegut (Grotegut Dairy, Wis.) – Calf management, upgraded facilities and hoof work are factors he attributes to better longevity, achieving a replacement rate of 25. “There are a lot of external factors, but in general, I try not to make too many heifers,” he says. “It just makes the culling easier. Instead of culling problem cows or culling lower performers, genetically they’re definitely able to stay longer.”
Kristen Metcalf (Glacier Edge Dairy, Wis.) – Metcalf stresses the importance of numerous traits and indexes to suit a variety of management styles. “I think it’s all part of the farming perspective, right? We have different dairy farms, we have different preferences, and we have these great new technologies and tools that let us filter for the traits we want. Why not leave them as long as the data is there? Everyone farms and manages differently.”

CDCB’s pipeline continues to expand what genetics can accomplish. Whether cows actually stay longer still hinges on day-to-day choices: heifer supply discipline, hoof/mobility focus, calf wellness and using the right index for the farm’s constraints.

How Fast Can You Milk A Cow? A New Genetic Tool Measures Milking Speed

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:44:02 GMT

Dairy producers looking to maximize parlor efficiency will soon have a new genetic tool to add to their toolbox. The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is set to release a long-anticipated milking speed genetic evaluation in the August 2025 proof run, marking a major milestone in performance trait development.

Milking speed, defined as pounds of milk per minute, has become a rising topic of interest across the U.S., particularly in high-throughput parlors and robotic systems in the West and Southwest. But until now, it lacked a reliable, standardized genetic evaluation tailored to the U.S. dairy population.

“Milking speed is an exciting topic that we continue to hear more and more about,” says Asha Miles, director of Dairy Records Management Systems and chair of the Milking Speed Evaluation Task Force for CDCB. “We continue to hear measures of farm and parlor efficiency in terms of milk per stall or seconds per turn. This evaluation offers a powerful tool to address that.”

What Is MSPD?
The new Milking Speed PTA (MSPD) represents the average pounds of milk per minute an animal’s offspring is expected to produce in a conventional milking system under average management conditions. It is calculated using sensor data collected from inline meters installed in traditional parlors across the U.S., making it the first U.S.-based, objective evaluation for milking speed.

“We’ve defined milking speed as the total pounds of milk in an individual milking, divided by the total milking duration in minutes for that milking,” Miles explains. “That combination gives us a more meaningful measure than milking duration alone, which doesn’t account for how much milk the cow actually produces.”

By using this ratio, pounds per minute instead of a raw duration, CDCB provides a more accurate measure of efficiency. For example, a cow that takes 8 minutes to milk might not be slow if she yields significantly more milk than average. Milking duration without yield context, therefore, is not an effective selection trait on its own.

From Subjective to Sensor-Driven
While countries like Canada and Switzerland have had milking speed evaluations in place for years, those systems rely on subjective scores, often assigned by trained classifiers during type evaluations. But the CDCB Task Force determined early in the process that this approach was not feasible or desirable in the U.S.

“The United States has much larger herds on average than most European countries,” Miles says. “So, a system that requires a classifier to individually score cows on milking speed would be too labor intensive. And beyond that, it introduces user bias. Different classifiers may score the same cow differently, which affects reliability.”

Instead, the team opted for a data-rich, sensor-based approach that could capture consistent and scalable metrics across farms and eliminate human subjectivity.

Collecting a Massive Amount of Data
According to Miles, the research behind MSPD began in 2021, when the CDCB established a dedicated task force to investigate the feasibility of creating a genetic evaluation for milking speed. That early work revealed a massive opportunity, but also some significant challenges.

The dataset came from about 300 U.S. herds that agreed to share their parlor data for research. Through partnerships with Dairy Records Management Systems (DRMS) and support from USDA’s Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, researchers were able to collect over 50 million individual milking records, each one capturing milk weights and milking durations for every milking across entire lactations.

“It was kind of incomprehensible at the time,” Miles says. “It’s the very first time we’ve ever tried to do something like this on this scale.”

But working with big data felt like drinking from a firehose, as Miles puts it. The biggest challenge was sifting through the noise.

“Sensor-based systems are designed for herd management, not for genetic research,” she explains. “So, we had to enact strict filtering protocols to eliminate inaccurate or incomplete records and identify what was truly usable.”

Factors such as milking frequency (2x, 3x, 4x), parity, breed, meter manufacturer and parlor type all had to be accounted for. Different meter manufacturers, for instance, use proprietary algorithms to determine when milk flow starts, introducing variability that had to be statistically controlled.

“Despite all that noise, the resulting trait showed incredibly high reliability,” Miles says. “We were pleasantly surprised by the strength of the heritability.”

High Heritability
The heritability of MSPD was calculated at 42%, making it the highest heritability of any of the 50 traits currently evaluated by CDCB. For comparison, milk, fat and protein yield traits are typically in the 20% range.

“That tells us this is a highly genetic trait,” Miles says. “Even with all the variables, our models are accurately identifying the genetic signal. That means producers can make swift, measurable progress if they select for it.”

The trait is also expressed in practical, easy-to-understand terms. Holstein cows currently average 7 lb. per minute, and preliminary testing showed bull predicted transmitting ability (PTAs) ranging from 6.2 lb. to 8.1 lb. per minute. Higher values mean faster-milking offspring.

What Makes MSPD Different from Other Traits
Currently, MSPD is only available for Holsteins, and only includes data from conventional parlors. Although the dataset included 70 robotic herds, data from automatic milking systems (AMS) has not yet been included due to its complexity.

“Milking frequency and interval are very consistent in conventional parlors, but in a robotic system, everything can change,” Miles says. “A cow might milk four times one day, twice the next, and she can visit at any time of day. That makes it much harder to model.”

However, Miles notes that AMS data is a key focus for future research. Interestingly, early comparisons showed robotic herds had faster average milking speeds than conventional herds, likely due to producers independently selecting for faster-milking animals.

“That was really exciting to see,” Miles says. “It suggests that producers are already aware of the value of milking speed and have been acting on it, even without a genetic evaluation.”

MSPD also differs significantly from existing milking speed traits like the MSP used in Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn, which rely on subjective producer reports during classification.

“It’s really important to understand how each PTA is defined and expressed,” Miles emphasizes. “If you’re using Canada’s evaluation, you’re selecting for something totally different: first-lactation daughters classified in their first six months. MSPD is based on complete lactation data in U.S. Holsteins, collected from inline sensors.”

What’s Next for MSPD?
The launch of MSPD in Holsteins is just the beginning. As more data becomes available, CDCB plans to expand the trait to additional breeds, starting with Jerseys, which use the same evaluation framework but currently lack a large enough dataset.

On the research front, AMS evaluation models are also on the horizon. And with the heritability so high, Miles believes producers will soon see results.

“We asked producers at World Dairy Expo a few years ago what they wanted from milking speed, faster cows or more uniformity, and the answers were split,” she says. “That showed us there’s broad interest, and with a genetic tool like this, the possibilities are wide open.”

A New Tool for Parlor Efficiency
According to Miles, MSPD represents a shift in how the U.S. dairy industry can think about efficiency. Not just in nutrition, reproduction or yield, but in how cows actually perform in the parlor.

“This evaluation is built from U.S. cows, using U.S. data and designed for U.S. systems,” Miles adds. “It’s the most relevant and useful tool producers have ever had for selecting on milking speed.”

With a practical, easy-to-interpret expression, high heritability and real-world application, MSPD is poised to become a key part of genetic planning for progressive dairies.

Managing Your Transition Pens May Be a Black and White Issue

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 17:00:00 GMT

Times have changed in the dairy industry.

An industry that used to have most of its profitability model driven by milk production suddenly has been thrust into a new age.

One might argue a black and white age.

Drought, retirement and years of challenging beef markets has feedlots turning to America’s dairies for help. Opening up their coffers at an unprecedented level, all to answer the growing shortage of beef cattle inventories.

This new cash infusion has ushered in a new age for dairy producers. In this age up to 2/3 of their dairy cow’s annual profit could be driven not by milk, but by the type of calf she has on “Day 0" of that lactation.

(American Farm Bureau Federation)

According to CattleFax and the American Farm Bureau Federation America’s dairy farmers have embraced this new model. Purchases of beef semen by dairy producers has gone from 2 million units in 2014 to almost 10 million in 2024. There are even whispers of some dairies changing their business model from milk as a primary production goal. Instead thinking of it as a secondary by-product of a system made to make as many dairy-beef cross calves as quickly as possible.

This mentality shift means that some of our dairies will see upwards of 50 to 75% of their cattle receiving beef semen. Creating ever increasing numbers of cross calves while using cheaper semen often with better conception rates.

However, there appears to be unintended biologic side effects from this shift. One of which is a backup in our pre-fresh pens.

Talk to any dairy and they will share with you the story of the dairy-beef cross that is 8-10 days overdue. They’ll often ask me what should we be doing with these animals? A complex question and best handled on a case-by-case basis with your herd veterinarian.

But it’s not these outliers that are causing issues on our dairies.

It’s the less noticeable example. Cows are going 2-7 days over the 278-day gestation we’ve come to expect from our Holstein cattle. These cows put undue strain on our pre-fresh pens; designed for 45–60-day dry periods.

Prefresh groups can quickly backup with dry periods going >70 days and pre-fresh pens becoming over-crowded. These small changes in cow flow cause significant issues in the post-fresh pen; risking 2-3x increases in fresh cow disease.

Beef and dairy animal gestation lengths.

(ICBP)

According to ICBP, the largest Beef Genomics database in the world, in general our beef breeds can be expected to go 4-12 days past the expected 278-day gestation. If our industry wants to truly embrace this model, then we will need to adjust our management.

A good start is to work with your herd vet and stud to investigate your current gestational averages by semen type. If you identify problem sires you can consider shortening dry period length for the affected groups, change semen breed type, or examine expanding your facilities to accommodate the 6-20% increase in pen duration.

Also, keep your ears and eyes open. Researchers continue to identify genetic markers for determining gestational length. It’s not inconceivable that in the coming months to years these markers, or an index combining them, could be added to your bull proofs.

The Importance of Dairy Heifer Selection

Tue, 06 May 2025 13:12:19 GMT

According to Michael Overton with Zoetis, merely raising a heifer does not automatically guarantee her a place on your farm, despite the opportunity she represents to upgrade the herd. At the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nev., Overton emphasized the significance of evaluating each fresh heifer’s ability to improve the herd compared to the current cows.

Evaluating Heifers for Upgrade Potential
Producers should assess every heifer entering the herd, questioning whether she represents an upgrade over the lowest value cow currently in place. Overton suggests that if a heifer stands out as an upgrade, she should replace a current cow in the lactating herd.

“If she represents an upgrade, bring her in. Let her join the lactating herd, which means she replaces a current existing cow,” he said.

This assessment is crucial as it influences the overall quality and productivity of the herd.

Significance of Heifer Replacement Rate
Key factors in the heifer replacement decision include both the quantity and quality of heifers produced. Although heifer replacement rate is a poor monitor, it’s essential in planning for future herd needs. High genetic potential, suitable growth and development, good health and age-appropriate first calving are critical indicators of a successful heifer.

“Heifers coming into the herd should represent an upgrade over the cows that are leaving the herd,” he says. “If not, we’ve got some serious flaws in some of our decision making.”

Planning for Future Heifer Needs
The dynamics of heifer replacement rates involve assessing past trends and projecting future needs. Overton says producers often overestimate the number of heifers that make it to calving. Thus, understanding historic performance over the past 24 to 36 months is vital for accurate future predictions.

“As you increase the quality of the heifers that come in, you put more pressure on the existing cows, and that’s a very important concept to remember, that’s where we’re always striving to try to improve the quality of heifers that is coming into the herd,” he says.

Understanding heifer completion rate is key when managing herd dynamics. Producers should focus on various stages, such as the percentage of heifers that conceive and actually calve, and the percentage of heifers reaching specific age milestones. Additionally, monitoring the percentage of heifers sold or died in various age brackets provides insight into herd health and management effectiveness.

Quality Matters
Quality improvement among heifers results in more cows being replaced. Quality encompasses factors such as future profit potential and desirability, with specific characteristics including high genomic and production potential, adequate size shortly after calving, optimal conditioning, ideal age for first calving and lack of carryover health issues.

Heifer completion (liveborn to calving): key stages and measures:

Percent of heifers that conceive that actually calve
Percent of heifers reaching 365 days of age that conceive
Percent of heifers sold from 91 to 365 days of age
Percent of heifers died from 91 to 365 days of age
Percent of heifers sold by 90 days of age
Percent of heifers died by 90 days of age

Quality refers to characteristics related to future profit potential and desirability of heifers.

Economic Considerations
Overton advises integrating economic evaluations into decision-making. Calculating the net replacement cost involves assessing trade-in values between market cows and the cost of new acquisitions. The impact of milk prices further underscores the need for strategic economic planning.

Ultimately, optimizing heifer selection is a strategic move that profoundly influences herd quality and productivity. By focusing on evaluation, planning and economic considerations, producers can ensure their herd remains competitive and efficient.

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Party on with Healthy Transition Cows

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:36:59 GMT

When it comes to seeing cows through the transition period, reproduction is the first thing to leave the party, and the last to return, according to Dr. Jose Santos, Professor of Dairy Cattle Nutrition and Reproduction at the at the University of Florida.

Any hiccup in fresh-cow health is likely to put reproduction in jeopardy. “There is a lot of evolutionary biology in play here,” said Santos. “A cow’s priority is not to become pregnant, but to survive, especially when faced with uncertainty. And disease brings uncertainty.”

Santos shared his thoughts on the relationship between transition cow health and reproductive success on a recent episode of The Dairy Podcast Show . He said over the past approximately 15 years, dairy reproduction in the U.S. has improved tremendously, from a historic average 21-day pregnancy rate of about 13-14%, to around 20% or greater today.

And like any good party, successful transition and reproduction depends on the presence of great people. The work culture and human elements on a farm make all the difference, according to Santos, in terms of everything from insemination technique to cow comfort, and udder health to feed delivery.

“When you see the herds that have very high reproductive performance – like pregnancy rates of 50% -- they are doing a lot of good things with cows in the transition period, and they probably have a lot lower disease pressure,” Santos noted.

As an example, he said cows that have a case of mastitis or metritis – compared to those who sail through the transition period without any clinical disease – have an average loss in terms of pregnancy to first AI in the magnitude of 15 percentage points. So, instead of a 40% pregnancy rate, theirs would be closer to 25%. That figure is the result of both lower pregnancy per AI, plus an increase in the losses of pregnancies that do occur.

An interesting general observation from the analysis of data by Santos and his colleagues tracking the performance data of more than 10,000 cows is that the incidence of any disease – not just uterine health issues – is likely to impair reproductive performance. “Diseases that have an inflammatory nature -- which most of them do -- they’re just bad. They only cause damage,” he declared.

“Once you have disease, the ability of that cow to cycle sooner is delayed and reduced,” Santos continued. “So now we have a cow who is anovular for a longer period of time. It becomes a blemish on her record. She won’t show estrus, and if you breed, pregnancy achievement will be less, and the pregnancy loss will be greater.”

Santos’ advice for successfully ushering cows through transition, and thus efficiently achieving subsequent pregnancies, included:

Don’t bother the fresh cows too much. Excessive “fussing” with fresh cows has been shown to interfere with dry-matter intake, which can set off a cascade of other health and metabolic problems.

Focus on optimal cow comfort.
Eliminate pathogens like contagious mastitis organisms that should be highly controllable.
Invest in employee training and education so they understand why it is important to do things a certain way. That understanding is powerful in instilling a sense of ownership and personal pride in daily work.
Assemble a team of trusted consultants to guide the dairy’s nutrition program, veterinary care, employee training and more. Those individuals should provide science-based solutions to overall herd management and animal well-being.

“When you create issues for cows, they respond with more disease. And disease is always bad for reproduction,” Santos stated.

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How Technology and Activity Monitors Are Improving Dairy Reproduction

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:25:49 GMT

On any given day, dairy farmers juggle a hundred moving parts—feeding, milking, herd health, and everything in between. But one area where precision really pays off is reproduction. After all, keeping cows pregnant and calving on schedule is what helps drive milk production and profitability. That’s where technology, like activity monitors, is making a big difference in how producers detect heats, make breeding decisions, and ultimately improve reproductive efficiency.

At a recent Dairy Herd Health and Management meeting hosted by Merck, Dr. Todd Bilby, director of dairy technical services, shared his insights on how activity monitors enhance reproductive efficiency on dairies. Here are his top takeaways:

Smarter Heat Detection
Activity monitoring technology is giving producers a more precise and efficient way to detect heats, taking reproduction management to the next level. By tracking movement, behavior, and even physiological changes, these systems are helping to identify cows in estrus more accurately, leading to improved breeding success.

“Activity monitors do a nice job of being able to catch a cow in estrus,” Bilby explains. “Some farms are better than others at detecting heats, but there are a lot of factors that impact estrus expression—heat stress, cows spending more time on concrete, illness, or lameness. All of these can make it harder to catch cows in heat.”

By using activity systems, producers can track changes in movement and behavior, making it easier to identify cows ready for breeding.
Beyond just detecting heats, these systems provide valuable insights into the intensity and timing of estrus, which can help refine breeding decisions.

“We’re learning more about how activity systems can influence reproductive strategies,” he says. “For example, if a cow shows a strong heat during the voluntary waiting period, she may not need as many reproductive hormones. On the other hand, if she doesn’t show a heat, she might benefit from a more structured synchronization program.”

This approach, known as targeted reproductive management, allows producers to tailor breeding protocols to individual cows rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Enhancing, Not Replacing, Reproductive Programs
Bilby notes that activity monitoring technology isn’t a fix for poor fertility—it’s a tool for farms that already have strong reproductive performance and want to take it to the next level.

“This is not something you do when you’re having problems with fertility,” he says. “It’s more about asking, ‘What’s the next step? How can I be a little more efficient?’ Maybe you want to maintain high fertility but use fewer hormone shots, or improve heat detection to get more cows bred naturally.”

For farms looking to fine-tune their reproductive program, activity systems offer a way to increase efficiency without sacrificing results. That being said, timed AI still plays an important role, even with the best technology.

“Don’t think that you’re going to get rid of timed AI completely,” Bilby adds. “You might reduce the number of shots, but there will always be cows that need a synchronization program. It’s your insurance tool—your safety net for those cows that don’t show a heat.”

By using activity monitors alongside a strategic AI program, producers can be more aggressive with heat detection, re-insemination, and overall reproductive management, helping to ensure more cows get bred in a timely manner while optimizing efficiency.

Heat Stress: A Silent Repro Killer
With summer around the corner, heat stress becomes one of the biggest roadblocks to reproductive success. Farmers in hot climates—like Florida, Texas, and California—already know the struggle. High temperatures reduce estrus expression, shorten estrus duration, increase anestrus periods, and even contribute to ovarian cysts.

“I’ve lived in Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas—pretty much the hottest spots in the U.S.,” Bilby laughs. “No matter how you look at it, heat stress affects the cow negatively. It reduces estrus expression, reduces the duration of estrus, increases the amount of time it takes them to recover and show a heat and increases cystic ovarian disease.”

Cooling strategies like fans, sprinklers, and shade are the best frontline defense, but activity monitors add another layer of insight. These systems can track breathing rates and panting behavior, helping farmers pinpoint problem areas—whether it’s long lock-up times in the parlor or fans being turned off too soon.

“You can look at breathing and panting and actually look by pen, look across your herd, and try to really dial in on where’s the bottleneck, where’s some issues that might be happening,” he explained. “Is it in your parlor? Are your lock-up times too long? Maybe guys are going through the pens and turning fans off while they’re in there or turning soaker lines off. You can start pinpointing when some of these issues occur and do it pretty quickly by using the panting or breathing behavior that’s on this technology system.”

Overcoming Challenges: Trusting the System

Implementing activity monitoring technology comes with a learning curve, and one of the biggest challenges producers face is trusting the system.

“At the beginning, when you’re used to doing things a certain way, and someone comes in and says, ‘I promise, this will be easier,’ it’s hard to make that leap,” Bilby explains.

With so many moving parts on a dairy, adjusting to a new system takes time, and success often starts with blending old methods with new technology until confidence in the system is built.

Beyond trust, proper system maintenance and education are crucial to maximizing the benefits.

“Once you’re relying on the system, small things—like making sure all tags are working, collars are on cows instead of sitting in the office—really matter,” he says. Keeping up with tag maintenance and software updates ensures accurate data collection, which is essential for effective decision-making. Additionally, working closely with product consultants can help producers learn how to interpret and apply the data, helping to unlock the full value of the technology.

Using Technology to Enhance Repro Success
As dairy farms continue to evolve, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in improving reproductive efficiency. Activity monitoring systems can help provide producers with real-time insights that enhance heat detection, optimize breeding strategies, and help mitigate challenges like heat stress. While these tools don’t replace traditional reproductive management, they offer a way to refine and improve existing programs, making reproduction more efficient and effective.

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Why Some Farmers are Making the Big Switch from Dairy to Beef Production

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:05:59 GMT

While beef-on-dairy production continues to grow in the U.S., it was a novel concept in 2018 when it came to the attention of Ryan Sterry, regional dairy educator with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

“A few colleagues and myself were noticing more chatter about this, more farms were experimenting with it,” Sterry recalls.

Fast forward to 2024, and beef-on-dairy is a significant trend that continues to build. CattleFax predicts U.S. beef-on-dairy cattle numbers will reach between 4 million and 5 million head – roughly 15% of the cattle harvested annually – as early as 2026.

In a wide-ranging conversation on The Dairy Podcast Show with host Dr. Gail Carpenter, state dairy Extension specialist for Iowa, Sterry shared some of his early insights and experiences with beef-on-dairy as well as other business opportunities producers have enbraced.

“We’re seeing all sorts of different strategies out there today,” he says. “Some producers say, ‘We’re just going to deal with the milking herd,’ because they can source their replacement heifers, more economically and get better genetics, from another herd. I have other producers who have backed off from beef-on-dairy because they have an outlet for fresh heifers, and that’s another business strategy for them.”

Still, other dairy producers, because of low milk prices in recent years, have decided to transition to beef production. Sterry says he and colleague Bill Halfman, University of Wisconsin Extension beef outreach specialist, have worked with a number of dairy producers who have decided to move exclusively to beef.

Sterry outlines five areas for dairy producers wanting to make the move to beef to think through in the process of making the switch:

1. Start With The Right Animal

Sterry says it’s important for producers to know their goals as they select breeding stock.

While some producers opt to use their home-grown crossbred heifers as breeding stock for starting their beef enterprise, Sterry doesn’t encourage the practice. The reason – because a beef cow could be in the herd for eight years or longer, and will have a long-lasting impact on production quality, he encourages producers to start their beef enterprise with full-blooded animals.

“The caution that we definitely want to put out there is those animals are going to retain some dairy characteristics in their genetics for generations down the line,” he says.

His recommendation: “Decide what emphasis on growth, carcass and maternal traits best fit your production and marketing goals and seek out those cattle to create a solid foundation.”

2. Evaluate Facilities

Dairy operations can often be retrofitted or revamped successfully for beef production. Sterry says bunk and housing space need to be evaluated to prevent the potential for crowding.

Also, consider whether any facilities need repairs or if there are potential hazards that need to be addressed prior to bringing animals into building facilities or lots.

3. Nutritional Needs

“In the transition from dairy to beef, one of the bigger things that we start talking about is that feeding a beef animal is different,” Sterry says. “You’ll need to adjust your expectations for the nutrition program in a cow herd as there’s not multiple rations being used.”

Instead, cow-calf and stocker operations typically rely more on forages such as pasture, crop residues, cover crops and harvested forages.

“Feed costs are approximately 60% of the annual costs of cow-calf enterprises. Letting the cows harvest their own feed by grazing and managing harvested feed storage and feeding waste are critical for controlling costs,” Sterry says.

He adds that finely ground corn is not a good fit in beef finishing rations and can cause rumen acidosis.

“Coarse corn is better for beef animals. Ultra-fine ground corn does not work well, and that’s something we’ve had to uneducate some of our dairy producers on,” he says.

4. Stockmanship Requirements

Sterry says dairy producers often tell him that because they’ve worked with cattle all their life they don’t need to work on their handling practices. But Sperry says beef cattle are a different animal.

“Beef cattle are not used to being handled every day, so dairy producers need to give some thought to stockmanship,” he says.

Part of the reason he emphasizes that is for practical safety considerations. Plus, cattle remember how they were handled in the past, and their behavior – whether skittish or compliant – will often reflect what they remember.

5. The Need to Market Versus Sell

Sterry says dairy producers are often accustomed to selling week-old calves and market cows they don’t want to hang on to for too long.

“When we’re trying to move them off the farm on a timely basis, a lot of times we’re selling ones and twos every week or every other week. With beef cattle, we frame the process as needing to market versus just sell,” he says.

To educate themselves, Sterry encourages dairy producers to attend local sales to see what kind of beef animal buyers are looking to purchase.

“With marketing, you’re advocating for yourself with a buyer, putting the best group of cattle together that you can, and trying to move away from the mentality of ‘I’ll just sell ones and twos,’” he says. “It’s an education process, and sitting through some sales can help.”

The complete conversation between Sterry and Carpenter is available here: Ryan Sterry: Beef x Dairy Crossing

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Love For Lexi: A Wisconsin Dairy Farm Kid’s Big Battle For a New Heart

Love For Lexi: A Wisconsin Dairy Farm Kid's Big Battle For a New Heart

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:19:12 GMT

Lexi Anderson looks like a typical 12-year-old kid. The sixth grader is full of life and so much spunk.

“How long have you been coming to World Dairy Expo,” I asked.

“12 years,” said Lexi.

Her entire life, she’s been traveling to World dairy Expo with her family to show cows. An annual trip that’s always packed with family fun. But Lexi’s life took a dramatic turn nearly 10 months ago, just two months after she showed during the 2023 World Dairy Expo.

“In December of 2023, she [Lexi] started feeling dizzy on the basketball court. And at first, we weren’t really sure what was going on, whether it was dehydration or what it was,” said Tamala Anderson, who is Lexi’s mom.

Unsure how serious it was, it wasn’t until Lexi blacked out on the court that they knew something wasn’t right.

“They decided to bring me in to the doctor. And then we figured out that I had this heart problem,” Lexi said.

The Diagnosis

It wasn’t just a minor problem. The diagnosis? Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM).

“It’s a hardening of the heart, the lining of the heart. So, the walls of the heart are eventually going to harden and stop pumping” Tamala explained.

“It’s really rare,” Lexi said. “Only like 2% of the world has it.”

Lexi Anderson

(Tamala Anderson)

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a less common type of cardiomyopathy. According to the Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry, the average age of diagnosis is 5 to 6 years.

Lexi’s diagnosis meant her only cure would be a heart transplant

“When we first got the news, it was extremely hard to get that news,” said Tamala. “To hear that your daughter…. sometimes kids only have a year and a half after they’re diagnosed with this. It’s such a hard thing to hear that your daughter could die,” she said.

A heartbreaking diagnosis that shocked the family, but Tamala says they were sent to specialists at the children’s hospital in Milwaukee and got connected with an amazing team of doctors that immediately planted seeds of hope.

“We’ve got a great team. They don’t even let us look at the negative. They told us that we didn’t need to worry about it. They said they we’re going to find it [a heart] and fix it,” Tamala said.

Her New Normal

At 12 years old, Lexi’s life quickly turned to anything but normal. She has doctor visits at least every six weeks with strict orders to cut out physical activity that could stress her heart.

“I got banned from playing all sports, to stop it from growing,” Lexi said.

Lexi’s favorite sport is softball, a sport she can’t play until she receives her heart transplant.

(Tamala Anderson)

Lexi was extremely active before, playing basketball, riding horses and playing softball, which she says is her favorite sport.

“I really miss playing softball,” said Lexi.

“It’s hard,” said Tamala. “I kind of do have her wrapped up in a bubble as she has strict orders at school. All of her teachers know the strict orders. She’s not allowed to run, and she’s not allowed to do any of that stuff that might affect her. So she’s kind of limited in every aspect.”

Lexi loves all things outdoors, which includes riding horses and going fishing.

(Tamala Anderson)

Helpless in so many ways, Tamela did the only thing she could and that was to protect her little girl, all while waiting on the call that could save her life.

“Her timeline went from living 60 years, 80 years, down to we don’t know what,” said Tamala. “We could get a phone call at any time.”

Waiting on the Life-Saving Call

It’s that phone call that Tamala, Lexi and her entire family are anxiously awaiting.

“Honestly, my bags are packed in the car,” said Tamala. “I’ve got Lexi’s bags packed in the car. We’re waiting, and we’re ready.”

“Are you scared at all or are you nervous at all,” I asked Lexi.

“I’m a little nervous. I don’t know when I’m going to be able to get back home. And I don’t know if they’re going to hold me for the three months recovery, but hopefully they let me go home and just recover at my house.”

Love for Lexi

At 12 years old, Lexi’s courage is contagious and her support is inspiring. She has an army of family and friends who are rooting her on, with a group called “Love for Lexi.”

“A couple of her friends at home decided to do a website, it’s called Love for Lexi, where we have Caring Bridge connected,” said Tamala “Some of it’s to raise money. Some of it’s just to let people know how she’s doing.”

Whether it’s at the County Fair or World Dairy Expo, you’ll find Lexi shining in the show ring.

(Tamala Anderson)

That love was put on center stage this summer, when Lexi’s friends Hattie and Holly Hargrave gave the ultimate gift of generosity with a lamb for Lexi.

“We went to a county fair, and I was showing sheep, and I didn’t make the sale, and one of my friends did and that raised over $27,000 and she gave it to me for the benefit,” said Lexi.

“It was amazing,” Tama said. “It was absolutely amazing. Honestly, the first buyer, when the first buyer bought the lamb, I was in tears . Then, he’s like, ‘Nope, I want to sell it again.’ And he so he gave it back and they sold it again. And I mean, it sold four times.

That sale raised $27,000 from four business who all came together to show Lexi love and support.

“We live in a really, really great community,” Tamala said.

“I feel really, really loved,” said Lexi.

Lexi looks happy and normal, but as her heart works in overdrive, the reality is Lexi’s body is tired and worn down.

“Some days it takes her breath away just to walk across the parking lot. Some days she is jumping around saying, ‘I’m ready to go,’” Tamala said.

Success at World Dairy Expo

This week during the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc, Lexi was determined to go in the ring, and she brought home hardware, as well as memories she won’t forget. One of the best memories was when her cousin won Junior Champion of the World Dairy Expo Junior Show.

“I was super happy, because it’s like a victory for the farm,” said Lexi. “We just cheered each other on and we started supporting each other and stuff.”

That’s who Lexi is; a spirited kid who’s always supporting those around her.

“She’s a great kid, honestly,” said Tamala. “She’s got such a big heart. If she sees someone down or if she sees someone even getting bullied, she’s more of a protector. So she’s just a great kid.”

Lexi’s big heart is now what’s needing saved, but it’s a constant showing of love and support that’s getting this family through.

Maximizing Profitability: The ROI of Transition Cow Facilities

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 20:27:22 GMT

In the world of dairy farming where efficiency and productivity are two of the most important factors, every investment is scrutinized for its potential return. While there are a myriad of factors affecting profitability on a dairy farm, the transition period continues to stand out as the most critical phase. The transition from late pregnancy to lactation is characterized by a multitude of physiological changes which heighten the risk of metabolic health issues. Transition cow facilities have been an increasingly popular investment for dairy farmers, designed to provide the ideal environment and management practices to support cow health, comfort and productivity. While the upfront cost of establishing such facilities can be substantial, dairy farmers are often keen to understand the return on investment (ROI) associated with these types of investments.

At first glance, the upfront costs of constructing new or retrofitting a transition cow facility may seem overwhelming. We can analyze a transition cow facility from multiple angles, encompassing both tangible economic benefits and intangible advantages. Careful examination of each of these reveals the potential for substantial long-term gains.

The primary economic driver of ROI for a transition cow facility lies in the potential for improved milk production. By providing a conducive environment with optimal nutrition, comfortable housing and effective management practices, farmers can ensure that cows enter their lactation ready for peak performance resulting in a more consistent and higher quality milk supply. The direct economic benefit of increased milk production and improved components contributes significantly to revenue and to the ROI of the facility.

Additionally, a reduction in postpartum health disorders can yield significant savings. The transition period is associated with increased susceptibility to health challenges and metabolic disorders, such as metritis and mastitis. These health issues not only incur direct expenses from treatment and labor, but they also result in decreased milk production and fertility, further prolonging the cow’s return on investment. With a well-designed facility and proper management, dairy farmers can mitigate some risk and avoid the loss of productivity associated with poor performing cows, thus enhancing overall profitability. These savings contribute positively to the ROI over time, offsetting the initial investment in facility construction or retrofitting.

Moving beyond the economic benefits, investing in transition cow facility can also yield intangible benefits that contribute to the overall long-term sustainability and resilience of the dairy operation. Focusing on cow welfare, environmental stewardship and operational efficiency, these facilities contribute to the overall sustainability goals of the farm. These goals align with consumer preferences and societal expectations of sustainable agricultural practices, further supporting the ROI of transition facilities.

In summary, the ROI of a transition facility is multifactorial, encompassing both tangible economic benefits and intangible sustainability and welfare advantages. While the initial investment requires careful planning and financial resources, the returns in terms of increased profitability and operational efficiency make it a sound economic decision for dairy farmers looking to optimize their business. A well-executed transition facility is not an expense but an investment in future success.

Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:29:09 GMT

With heifer inventory at the lowest numbers in decades, raising a heifer calf for 20-plus months to become a productive milk cow is more important than ever before. While many producers take the liberty to raise their own calves and heifers, more producers are increasingly looking to heifer growers to lend a helping hand.

KDD Heifer Ranch

Head to Deerfield, Kan., and you’ll find one of the leading calf and heifer growers in the country. Kansas Dairy Development (KDD) debuted in May 2018 after checking all the right boxes, including securing the right location that would be conducive to animal agriculture, with good access to feed, water and labor. KDD is a contract-growing facility, that provides temporary housing for up to 80,000 head of cattle — from a few days old to springers nearly ready to calve. And, according to Jason Shamburg, the organization’s co-founder and CEO, their formula for success is all in the details, as he shares there is no silver bullet on how to successfully raise calves at a high level.

“We’re always looking for any advantage that we can to move the needle any small increments, but I think by and large, day in and day out, it’s absolutely about our team of great people,” he says. “It’s about consistency, it’s about animal husbandry, it’s about cleanliness. It’s about just kind of tenaciously doing the right things day in and day out every day.”

Their team of 200 employees is tasked with many jobs to provide the best care possible for all the cattle. KDD has three divisions: hutch area with employees caring for calves from day one to day 90; the transition area has employees focusing on calves 91 to 180 days old. Some calves will leave KDD then. Nearly 60% stay there through the heifer development phase (180 days to approximately 600 days), which is their third division.

KDD has clients in 10 states, including Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, South Dakota
and Wisconsin.

Day One Onward

On average, calves arrive at 3 days of age and are quickly offloaded once they arrive at KDD and put into a well-bedded Agri-Plastics hutch with a warm 3-quart bottle of milk.

“This is our No. 1 thing,” Shamburg says. “Grain and water are in front of them day one on. They receive two, 3-quart bottles of milk daily until 50 days old and then one 3-quart bottle from day 51 to day 65, as they gradually are weaned off milk and on a full-grain and water diet.”

Transition barns are broken into 30’x90' pens with a 4.25% slope from the back to the front of the barn.

“We bed heavy underneath the roof line seasonally, based on need,” Shamburg explains, noting that barns are equipped with back curtains that can be raised and lowered based on weather conditions.

Calves transition to a ‘windbreak and shade pen’ for the last 30 days that is designed to provide extra protection from wind and moisture. Heavy bedding is also provided, but Shamburg notes that heifers have more square footage and are exposed to a bigger group of animals and become much more self-sufficient.

Once calves hit 180 days of age at KDD, they are housed in an open lot corral, and the focus is for them to stay healthy and on a steady growth curve.

“They are growing around 2 lb. for an average daily gain until they would get moved over to the breeding area around 330 days,” Shamburg says, where they enter into a breeding synchronization program.

Individual weights are taken coming out of the hutches (out of transition), again at prebreeding and when they go home. KDD puts together a comprehensive set of monthly reports sent to clients that summarize all the information.

Data Driven

“We capture health data, breeding information, pen movements, gain/performance, etc.,” Shamburg says, noting the work overseen by their staff nutritionist, Kevin Miller, Ph.D.

“He oversees all of our nutrition work from the milk diets and breeding diets and is just extremely good at gathering and summarizing data,” he says. In addition, our staff veterinarian, Dr. Jared Schenkels contributes a lot of health information.”

All the data is entered through handheld systems into DairyComp, and clients can track aspects of daily performance. Shamburg says they use both a dairy and a feedlot software program for administrative and accounting purposes.

“It takes a couple of different programs to make it work,” he says.

The High Plains region includes a lot of great neighbors who help each other out. Therefore, KDD can focus its time and effort on caring for and raising youngstock while their neighbors grow feed for them as well as use their manure.

“We have formed great relationships with our neighbors for feed, and they are growing corn silage, sorghum silage, triticale silage, along with alfalfa,” Shamburg says, adding they have access to growers who also provide corn stalks and wheat straw, for the bigger heifers in their calf and heifer raising operation, as well as bedding for their younger animals.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have great dairy clients and the team of people that we do,” Shamburg says, sharing that for their employees, it is more than a job, it is their career. “They take pride in what they do, and we absolutely couldn’t do it without the great team, as well as the great partners that we have.”

Tackling extreme Kansas Weather challenges

A true testament to just how great KDD’s staff is was on Jan. 8, 2024, when southwest Kansas was hit by 65 mph winds, snow and freezing temperatures.

“You couldn’t see past the hood of your pickup for 11 hours straight,” Shamburg says. “For the better part of two weeks, we dealt with harsh weather, and our crew never skipped a beat. They worked from early morning hours well into the evening and always in good spirits.”

During this uniquely challenging time, Shamburg says all the calves were tucked in and well bedded and in result faired very well during this tenacious period.

“I credit a lot of this to our amazing staff, but also to the infrastructure we’ve invested in,” Shamburg says, highlighting the fact that Southwest Kansas is a great place to raise cattle. “I do feel like we have taken a higher-quality approach for the dairy producers who are very committed to their animals and very much recognize the value and return on investment in receiving excellent heifers back home to their operations.”

Come rain or shine, or even during a massive winter blizzard, KDD is steadfast with the same commitment to their employees and cattle.

The most important ingredient to success is people with pride in what they do, Shamburg notes.

“Our KDD staff is second to none when it comes to dedication and work ethic,” Shamburg says. “We do believe we have a very strong family-oriented culture with a strong team. It shows in the performance of the animals, through the care we provide.”

Debunking Production-Fertility Myths

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 22:01:38 GMT

You can have both high production and high fertility, according to Dr. Paul Fricke, Professor of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

On a recent episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Fricke shared research that he said disproves the myth that fertility will always suffer in high-producing cows. The key factor: change in body condition score in early lactation.

Fricke explained the “Britt Hypothesis,” based on the work of retired North Carolina State University researcher Jack Britt. His research-based theory is that the oocytes that are developing early in lactation are significantly impacted by changes in body condition score of the dams. Cows that lose a great deal of body condition early in lactation were proven to have significantly impaired fertility of the oocytes that were developing during that period of negative energy balance.

To test that hypothesis, Fricke and his Wisconsin colleagues did several retrospective analyses of data from former reproductive studies. In the first, they determined that very thin cows at calving (BCS<2.5) clearly had lower next-lactation fertility compared to heavier herd mates.

In the second study, they compared cows by quartile to examine the relationship between early lactation body condition loss and fertility. The data set as a whole showed that cows generally lost body condition after calving and gradually gained it back through lactation. But when broken out by quartile, the top group of cows actually gained weight in early lactation, while the lowest 25% saw a severe drop in body condition, losing about 7-8% of their body weight in the first 3 weeks after calving. That group also showed the poorest embryo quality, which could explain differences in fertility.

“We have traditionally been taught that all cows will lose body condition post-calving, and it’s just a matter of managing that loss,” noted Fricke. “That isn’t really true. It’s not a foregone conclusion that cows have to lose body condition after calving.”

As a highly telling example, the team’s third evaluation looked at data from more than 1,800 cows from two Wisconsin dairies. Early lactation body condition status was compared to first-service conception rate.

“More than 40% of the cows lost body condition in early lactation, and had about a 25% conception rate,” Fricke recalled. “That’s not good.”

The middle group maintained body condition and had about a 40% first-service conception rate. The remainder – about 400 cows – actually gained body condition and had a stunning 80% conception rate.

“We were almost reluctant to publish that data,” shared Fricke. “I don’t really think 80% is repeatable, but that’s what the data showed.” He said it was convincing proof that there is a distinct relationship between body condition and fertility, and when cows lose a lot of body condition, they have much lower fertility than their herd mates that maintain or gain weight in early lactation.

Fricke said the overarching goal, then, should be to calve leaner, more athletic animals that are not prone to drastic weight swings. He advised that cows calving in the neighborhood of BCS 3.0 tend to stay healthier, lose less body condition, and have higher fertility. Fatter cows lose more weight, with no significant difference in milk production.

He added when cows don’t have extra body condition to milk off, they are hungry and tend to eat more. Fricke said a full rumen is the ideal situation for an early lactation cow, and helps avoid many of the adverse metabolic conditions that can occur when fresh cows mobilize body condition.

“Nutritionists tend to want to proactively manage body condition through lactation, but that’s really hard to do without sacrificing milk production,” stated Fricke. “The best thing you can do is to get cows pregnant quickly so they don’t spend too much time in late lactation, at a low milk production state and eating a ration designed for high production. Efficient reproduction becomes a self-correcting mechanism by which you can calve healthier cows.”

The 7 Repro Sins You Can't Afford to Make

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 14:08:13 GMT

Despite our best efforts to be perfect, sinning is human nature. We make poor choices and don’t always see the effects our decisions have. When it comes to dairy reproduction, mistakes are happening.

Two esteemed dairy technical service consultants from opposite ends of the country provide their rundown on the top seven reproduction sins that are costing your farm time, money and potentially future calves.

Inefficient Nutrition

For Todd Bilby, Ph.D. and director of dairy technical services for Merck Animal Health, a healthy diet is where a proper reproduction program begins. He believes farmers should shift their focus from what they can get out of a cow to what they should be putting into the cow to help her be at the top of her game.

“Setting a cow up for reproductive success starts well before we breed her,” the Decatur, Texas consultant says. “If we have animals nutritionally where they need to be, in the right body condition score and not being deficient in any vitamins or minerals, we should have success when it comes to breeding time.”

Bilby recommends working with your nutritionist to establish a diet that will fit the needs of your cows throughout the different stages of their lactation.

Mediocre Management

Management practices, such as proper vaccinations, spotting animal health issues and catching heats are top priorities for Jennifer Roberts, DVM and dairy professional services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim. The Mason, Mich., based veterinarian says even minor problems can snowball into bigger issues down the road.

“A slip up in management here and there won’t be the end all to your farm,” Roberts says. “But if we aren’t routinely following protocols the way they are intended, then those problems start to pile up, and that’s when we start to see bigger issues down the line in terms of reproduction.”

A Tough Transition

Both Bilby and Roberts agree the transition period is a critical time in a cow’s life that can impact her health and fertility later on.

“Diligent transition cow management helps us ensure animals stay healthy through their calving experience so they can be ready to support their next pregnancy,” Roberts says. “An important component of transition cow management is monitoring their body condition score.”

Bilby concurs, adding metabolic issues during the transition phase can escalate into reproductive problems in the future.

“Any health issue after calving can take a toll on a cow’s fertility,” Bilby states. “Even if she makes a full recovery, her reproductive health will likely be compromised. It’s important to monitor fresh cows for transition issues to ensure they’ll get the chance to calve again in the future.”

Not Utilizing Data

Even the simplest technology has allowed dairy farmers to push the bar higher in terms of conception and pregnancy rates. However, this only holds true when the data gleaned from this technology is used.

“Technology has helped farmers refine their reproduction programs in so many different ways,” Roberts says. “The caveat is that producers have to know what to do with the data for it to make a difference.”

With billions of data points being generated, Roberts emphasizes the need to harness data to help make real-time decisions.

“We can use technology to identify cows who might not be cycling after calving and need support. We can also use it in combination with synchronization protocols to efficiently identify cows who are open after a timed insemination. The possibilities with technology are pretty endless,” she says.

Bilby agrees, adding that if the data is not used, it’s not worth the expense.

“If you receive an alert that an animal is in heat or is not feeling well and you don’t do anything about it, then you aren’t using that information to its best ability,” he says. “A rumination or activity monitor just becomes an expensive piece of jewelry if you aren’t taking advantage of the data it captures.”

Lack of Training

Your employees are what keep your operation ticking. But if they aren’t properly trained, they might be holding your operation back.

“It’s critical to establish a solid set of protocols and have a routine training program set in place,” Bilby says.

Roberts notes producers should also work to help employees avoid protocol drift.

“We can have the best protocols out there, but if the compliance isn’t there, reproduction will struggle,” she says. “Work to set up training sessions throughout the year to provide refreshers on what to do in certain scenarios and include the reason why it should be done that way. Employees who understand the why in addition to the how will be more engaged.”

Poor Use of Resources

A well-run dairy is made up of a team of farm employees, veterinarians, nutritionists and
other consultants who are all working toward a common goal. However, if you are not using these resources appropriately, you’re doing your farm a disservice.

“Make sure you are utilizing your vet and nutritionist as part of your everyday team,” Roberts says. “This means communicating with them regularly to discuss what is working well and what areas could maybe use some improvement. It’s important to keep that line of communication open.”

Some conversations you might find yourself having include going over health issues, addressing how long your voluntary waiting period should be and when is the right time to make the decision to not breed an animal back.

Not Setting Goals

According to the technical services duo, dairy farms are like fingerprints, meaning no two farms are alike. Therefore, each farm should have
a specific set of goals in place that
is designed to meet the needs of
your operation.

“Every farm is different, and not every farm should share the same goals,” Bilby adds. “Your goals should be unique to your operation and tailored to where your cows are at today and where you want them to be in the future.”

He suggests taking time to sit down with your veterinarian, nutritionist, herd manager and any other key stakeholders to identify the reproductive targets your farm should strive to hit. These objectives should be realistic yet challenging enough to push your operation in the right direction.

Whether intentional or not, sins happen every day on a dairy farm, and while no farm is perfect, mistakes are bound to happen. To help prevent slip-ups and avoid negative consequences in terms of herd reproduction, set aside time to thoroughly look over your reproductive program and identify areas that need improvement. To assist with this, keep these seven commonly overlooked problems in the back of your mind to provide a solid foundation for the newly renovated reproductive program to sit on.

For more on reproduction, read:

Who Should Be Raising Replacement Heifers?

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 21:31:48 GMT

A massive question dairy producers often ask themselves is who should be raising replacement heifers. Should they be raised by the producer, contracted out and customed raised, or should they be purchased?

Dr. Joe Armstrong with the University of Minnesota Dairy Extension says this is a big question, as it dives into what the future of your dairy operation is going to look like.

“This all is very dependent on how calves are taken care of at a young age all the way through until they’re milking in your herd,” he shared on a recent episode of The Moos Room podcast.

Armstrong says that many producers raise their own heifers because of control—from genetics to calf care to feeding programs. Another reason for raising your own replacements is that you can give extra hours to on-the-farm employees and save on the cost of custom raising. He says the big question is to determine what it costs to raise your own heifers versus the cost of custom raising or even purchasing springers ready to calve.

“Is there a way to offset the difference if you’re not willing or you’re not able to raise your own heifers,” he asks. “The quality of the product is one reason you would raise your heifers at home and that is part of the control piece.”

Biosecurity is another factor to take into consideration. Armstrong says you must keep this in mind if you custom raise your heifers out, as the heifers would likely be mixed with animals from other herds.

“There is risk associated with that,” Armstrong points out. “Biosecurity is a great reason to raise your own heifers.”

Custom Raising

Lack of room is another reason producers send their heifers off the farm to be custom-raised out.

“A lot of times the answer is no, they don’t have enough room,” Armstrong shares. “Or at least not yet. Or not right now. And that comes back to all the other things that go with raising heifers, whether it’s labor or time.”

He shares that if producers struggle with raising their own heifers—for whatever reasons—they should consider looking into custom raising.

“If you’re not doing a good job of it, maybe it is time to consider having someone else do it so you can get a better product in the end,” he suggests, underscoring the fact that labor and time come into consideration and that time and labor resource can be utilized in other ways.

“You cannot afford to spend the time raising your own heifers if you’re not going to have the true amount of time you need and the true amount of help you need to dedicate yourself to doing a really good job,” he says.

Another question to contemplate is if you have enough land to raise feed for your onsite replacement heifers.

Do Your Homework

Armstrong says it is vital that producers know their numbers and have a benchmark for what they are striving for, regardless if they raise their own heifers or not. He suggests growers provide data, along with health records.

“I think it’s a great idea for growers to provide that as a service. And if you are a dairy, I think it’s great to ask for those things,” he says.

If you are considering sending your heifers off to a grower, dive into their biosecurity measures. Armstrong says to ask what steps they are taking to avoid some things, whether that is BVD or Johne’s.

Purchasing Debate

When it comes to purchasing cows, the question is to ask if you are going to buy springers or a milking cow. He shares that from a biosecurity standpoint, there are a couple of advantages of purchasing a pregnant animal.

“If you’re buying a pregnant animal, you can test the animal itself that is pregnant for BVD,” he says, although you won’t know if the calf has BVD until it hits the ground.

He says cows that are 60 days fresh are currently going for $2,500.

“That might seem like a lot, but remember you’re paying for a low-risk animal that’s been through the hardest part of that first 60 days,” he says. “Yes, there is some stress from the change in environment and being in a new place and all of those things, but they are a lower-risk animal, and you didn’t have to pay for the cost of raising that animal through that first two years of her life.”

Armstrong says it costs on average $2,000 to raise a heifer calf before she hits the milking string. He says some farms can do that cheaper and some more expensive, but producers must be honest about what the total picture looks like.

“For a lot of dairies, it’s very reasonable to consider should I be raising my own or should I take that time and that labor that I’m using on calves and put it towards something else,” he shares.

To listen to The Moos News podcast in its entirety, go to The Moos Room | All Episodes (transistor.fm)

How Will This Year’s Heat Stress Affect Future Offspring?

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:21:56 GMT

Whether you dairy in Texas, Minnesota, New York, California, or somewhere in between, it’s been one long, hot summer.

A growing body of research shows that heat stress not only affects cows. It also can impact the fetuses being carried by close-up dry cows. Two studies recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science explore the impact of heat stress on the babies-on-board of near-term cows, and possibly even the next generation.

Effects of heat stress on birth weight, and comparison of environmental versus genetic parameters. This German study evaluated data from 171,221 Holstein cows to assess the effects of heat stress on calf birthweight. Specifically, the researchers sought to determine whether phenotypic responses or genetic breeding for heat tolerance were transmitted more prominently via calf birth weight when dams were under heat stress in their last 8 weeks of pregnancy.

Prenatal heat stress – measured via daily temperature-humidity indices (THI) -- reduced calf birth weight by a range of .66 to 1.38 pounds per calf. The researchers concluded this decline in birth weight was most likely caused by maternal permanent environmental effects versus genetics.

As a result, they recommended that dry-cow cooling efforts are more important in protecting fetal growth than using genetic evaluations for heat tolerance. But they also noted that the overall impact of maternal heat stress on fetal birth weight was relatively small from a practical perspective.

Changes in skin and hair characteristics in offspring of heat-stressed dams. This study , conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, looked at the influence of heat stress in the pregnant dam on skin and hair development of the offspring.

They noted that the fetal germline in the developing reproductive organs of the fetus (F1) will eventually give rise to the next generation (F2), and also experience heat-stress insult. Thus, heat stress has the potential to impact the dam (F0), the fetus she is carrying (F1), and the eventual offspring of that fetus (F2).

Looking specifically at hair and skin adaptations triggered by in-utero heat stress, the researchers noted that heat stress in the last 56 days of gestation did, indeed, influence skin and hair characteristics in the granddaughters of those dams. The F2 offspring of heat-stressed dams had shorter and thicker hair, thinner skin, and more but smaller sebaceous glands.

Similar skin and hair adaptations in other animals species have been shown to aid in dissipating heat from the skin’s surface. Whether the same effect will occur in cattle remains to be investigated.

Tips to Determine the Right Number of Replacement Heifers for Your Dairy

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:30:00 GMT

When the feed truck pulls into the driveway and soon after another feed bill awaits to be paid, a producer might begin to question the number of head they are feeding. This certainly holds true with youngstock, which is why it is essential to calculate the right number of replacement heifers for your dairy that will fill your future pipeline.

David Erf, dairy technical services geneticist with Zoetis, says most dairies are raising more heifers than they need.

“This is not always obvious to dairy producers,” he says. “Some have gone through a period of high heifer inventory numbers and have gotten used to the high turnover rates that come with an inventory that is too high for their operation.”

Raising too many heifers can be costly for producers, which is why Erf recommends having a management plan for heifer inventory and reminds producers to check their cattle inventory numbers as much as they do milk prices.

The Heifer Formula

According to Erf, there are four major factors that a producer must know to determine the right number of heifers for their herd.

What is the herd size we need to support? Producers must remember to include both milking and dry cows in this count.
What is the current herd turnover rate? When obtaining this information, we have to look at where we think that rate will realistically be in the future, not always where we are currently. I have had herds that were heifer heavy and inflated their turnover rate – we had to aim for a lower target. On the other hand, I have had herds coming off an expansion that kept turnover rates low on purpose. In those cases, we aim for a rate that is higher than where they were.
What is the average age at first calving? If a herd moves animals through their rearing program quicker, they need fewer heifers. For example, lowering the age at first calving from 25 months to 24 months means about 4% less heifers are needed.
What are the current heifer mortality expectations? We hope all heifer calves born can enter the milking string. Reality tells us otherwise. Pneumonia, scours, injuries and non-breeding heifers add up and we need to understand the level of mortality in our heifers to understand how much inventory is needed.

On the flip side, Trevor Slegers with Ever.Ag suggests that some dairies are underestimating their future needs and therefore are not raising enough heifers.

“Not having enough replacements forces dairies to milk underperforming cows longer,” he says.

In today’s dairy replacement landscape, knowing the target number of heifers is vital before breeding. Erf underscores that having too many heifers is not profitable.

“Especially as the market does not offer an impressive price about rearing costs to sell young dairy calves,” he says. “With the value of dairy beef calves nowadays, creating too many heifers with no breeding strategy is a lost opportunity for income of dairy beef calf sales. Producers absolutely need to know these details before calling the AI company.”

Although, Erf cautions producers that having few heifers on hand and needing to purchase cattle can lead to poor-quality genetics and biosecurity concerns.

“This is why having a plan for heifer inventory management is crucial. You need to make sure that you have the right number of heifers for optimal profitability, but also that the heifers you are breeding are the right ones and provide the herd you wish to see in the future,” he says.

Target Numbers

To figure the target number of heifers needed each month, Slegers says it is important to know how many sexed breedings it will take to achieve your goal, considering current conception numbers.

“It’s useful to know which cows you should be breeding sexed to and which cows to be breeding beef to—which is where a tool like genomics comes into play,” he says.

According to Erf, the temptation to cut back on management costs due to low milk prices by testing out genomics is strong amongst producers.

“If you don’t survive today, why prepare for tomorrow?” he asks. “The good news is that genomic testing helps us do both of those things. Genomic testing helps producers accelerate genetic progress and improves productivity and profitability through better genetics. Those that take a break from testing can find themselves falling behind and struggle with areas like inventory management as they don’t have accurate animal rankings and tend to breed even more heifers. These herds have a hard time catching up and fall behind on their genetic progress.”

Slegers encourages producers to monitor heifer replacement numbers by asking this one question. “Would I keep this cow if I had a replacement ready to take her place?” He echoes Erfs’ sentiments about genomic testing, adding that it is a tool not only to help make breeding decisions, but also to help with culling.

“If you need to sell heifers, you need accurate information to make an informed business decision. Genomic testing data can help answer questions like – is she worth keeping?” he says.

A Management Decision That Saved This Iowa Dairy

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:05:08 GMT

Dairy farms are routine. Milk cows two to three times a day seven days a week, 365-days a year. This is the life that Kelly and Christy Cunningham, who are partners in Milk Unlimited near Atlantic, Iowa, have grown accustomed to. Their team of approximately 35 people milks 300 cows an hour and operates 24 hours a day. Every day, more than 30,000 gallons of milk leaves their farm. Although in 2017, that nearly came to a halt.

History

Milk Unlimited was established 24 years ago. The Atlantic location was attractive because of a close proximity to Omaha, a good milk market, good schools and relatively cheap feed. They began by purchasing 1,800 Holstein cows and shipped to a private fluid milk bottler.

Milk production hovered between 65-70 lbs. and components between 3.2 – 3.5% fat and 2.65-2.85% protein. The Cunninghams share that their herd cull rate was too high, ranging between 40-45%.

“Our reproduction was great during the winter and poor during the summer,” Kelly says.

Improved management practices boosted their production, but the Cunninghams say that component and culling rates remained unchanged and that their veterinary costs were too high.

“Our vet and medicine cost averaged between $20,000 to $25,000 a month,” Kelly says. “And we were heavy user of hormones for reproduction.”

The scenario spelled a financial rollercoaster for Milk Unlimited. Christy shares that they were working too hard for the results and their cost of production was simply too high.

“The cows milked well, but they didn’t last,” she says.

A near crash in their rollercoaster ride occurred in 2017 when Milk Unlimited’s processor ended their contract agreement.

“We were forced to make management changes to secure a new market for our milk,” Kelly says.

New Direction

With no other fluid milk market around, the Cunninghams were thankful that they found a cheese market to ship their milk to. However, going from fluid milk to a cheese market made the couple look at their breeding philosophy differently.

“The crossbreeding trend seemed to work for other dairies,” Kelly says.

Switching to Jerseys wasn’t really an option for the Cunninghams. They didn’t want to invest the capital to change their dairy’s set-up to accommodate smaller-framed cattle.

“A good friend of mine, Todd Tuls, a fellow dairy producer, talked to us about ProCROSS cattle, Kelly says. “Although, it was a big step to put Monte and Red semen into nearly 20 years of Holstein breeding.”

When considering this breeding change, the Cunninghams knew they needed to:

Increase components for a cheese market.
Improve longevity in the herd.
Develop fewer heifers.
Maintain moderate size cows.
Improve profitability.

Purchasing cows from three different herds in California, Idaho and Michigan, in April 2018, Milk Unlimited began milking their first ProCROSS cows. Additionally, they bred their Holstein cows to Montbeliarde.

Christy says that dairying is no longer just a way of life, it’s a business. Kelly echoes the sentiments and while it took a lot of deep conversations and time thinking about changing how they do business, ultimately it came down to dollars and sense.

Looking at Data

The Cunninghams are extremely happy with how it all has worked out. In addition to securing a new milk market and improved components and reproduction, they also share their bottom line is better off milking ProCROSS cows compared to their Holsteins.

“Our hauling costs is 5.8% lower. This is huge as hauling is the fourth largest cost on our farm,” Kelly reports. “We now can put a 100 lbs. of milk in a 94.2-pound container.”

The Cunninghams say it’s all in the data and document the herd averages between their Holsteins and ProCROSS cows. Their ProCROSS cows averaged 78.6 lbs., 93.3 lbs., and 98.8 lbs. in their first, second and third lactations. While their Holstein cows averaged 78.8 lbs., 89.2 lbs., and 95.9 lbs., respectively. Additionally, dry matter intake is 5.0% less with their ProCROSS cows compared to their Holstein herd, with no individual sampling performed.

When looking at reproduction data, Kelly shares that his Holstein cows averaged 122.3 days open compared to his ProCROSS cows, who averaged 96.3 days, and this is accomplished with less use of hormones.

“We don’t start Ovsynch until 100 days in milk with the ProCROSS cows,” Kelly states. “While we started Ovysnch at 50 DIM with the Holsteins.”

Culling rates also decreased with the ProCROSS cows, which Kelly says is the most important herd reproduction number.

“The ProCROSS cows represented 87.4% pregnant cows, while my Holsteins are at 81.8%,” he says. “That means we have 5.7% more ProCROSS cows pregnant compared to our Holsteins.”

Health data followed suit, with Milk Unlimited’s ProCROSS cows having fewer sick cows compared to their Holsteins. For example, their ProCROSS cows had:

72% fewer ketosis incidences
65% fewer displaced abomasums
81% fewer milk fever
61% fewer mastitis cases
30% fewer pneumonia
40% fewer cow touches

Holsteins favored better in:

Metritis was 29% higher with ProCROSS

Looking back, the Cunninghams are thankful that Tuls encouraged them to consider ProCROSS genetics. It not only saved their dairy by producing more nutrient-dense milk which made sense to their ‘new’ cheese milk market. But, also, in the end, it generated a healthier and more profitable herd at their Western Iowa dairy.

“We have an overall healthier herd,” Kelly says. “Better health, better reproduction, better components and overall are more profitable. What more could I have asked for?”

Leaning into the Future: Producers Share How Technology Enriches Their Operations

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 17:03:23 GMT

Over the years, dairy producers have continued to dial in on productivity and profitability. In turn, they have also leaned into technology to help them achieve these goals. Ranging from robotic milking, RFID identification and monitoring systems, technology has helped advance agricultural productivity.

Recently on a Farm Journal Milk Business webinar, three dairy producers shared what technologies they currently have invested in and additional technologies that they are looking at to help push their operations forward.

Milk Source, Wisconsin

Chema Ortiz, a herd management specialist for Milk Source in Wisconsin, says that like most of the industry, they too have been challenged with labor shortages over the last few years.

“The way we did things five years ago is definitely different now,” he says. “And, it’s going to be different five years from now too. We try to get better, more efficient and also improve some of our health and reproduction.”

Intending to reduce labor, Ortiz says one of the ways Milk Source has been able to do that is by adding sprayers in their parlors, as well as utilizing activity collars on some of their dairies. Today, Milk Source is home to 35,000 cows across five locations located in three different states.

McCarty Family Farms, Kansas

Ken McCarty with McCarty Family Farms in Kansas has recently installed the first of two DeLaval rotaries that include a whole host of technologies.

“Some of the advantages that we see with that system are obvious, it’s a much more labor-efficient way of milking cows; easier on the cow and easier on the human,” he says. “But we’ve also installed post dip robots that have eliminated a little bit of labor from the wheel while maintaining basically the same level of application.”

Additionally, McCarty’s also feels like cow activity monitoring systems are making an impact for their dairies located in Kansas, Nebraska and Ohio.

“The Delpro system tracks daily weights, animal activity… all those sorts of things. We’re still learning, but we are diving into the insights to better understand how we can optimize our system as a whole to drive productivity and profitability,” he says.

Four J Jerseys, California

Out west in California, Ryan Junio with Four J Jerseys in Pixley says his biggest focus has been on calf rearing and improving calf health before outsourcing them to a custom calf ranch.

“We’ve taken on new pasteurization processes and colostrum freezing processes trying to mitigate any disease,” he says. “We’re also in the midst of looking at installing pre and post-dip sprayers trying to reduce labor and trying to become more efficient on the dairy in that way.”

Junio, who milks 5,000 Jerseys and farms 12,000 acres in Tulare County, shares that they are also in the process of incorporating a monitoring system to help manage herd health and dial in on reproduction efficiencies.

“We don’t have a system online yet,” he says. “We plan to become more efficient in terms of labor and in terms of repro hormones. We think that the payback there is immense. So that’s something we’re aggressively trying to get online right now.”

The Next 24 Months

Technology is also the focus for these three producers in the next 24 months. Junio says they plan on bringing the cow monitoring system on board and want to dial in on efficiencies across the whole herd, especially with herd health.

“The sprayers in the carousel are going to be able to reduce labor,” he says. “We’re trying to ramp up efficiencies in the carousel and [milk] a few more cows 3x versus 2x. We’re looking at a DeLaval system that incorporates a second vacuum line, that will enable us to ramp up the vacuum, too.”

New to utilizing activity collars, Ortiz says that those at Milk Source are trying to learn the program the best they can as a trial. The team is also working to better incorporate sort gates.

“I see [this technology] as part of the plan in the future for other sites,” he says. “What we are seeing from the beginning looks promising.”

Additionally, Milk Source is in a trial with an artificial intelligence company working with cameras.

“As that technology gets better, it’s definitely something that we’re going to try and utilize the best we can,” Ortiz shares. He outlines that from their point of view, an investment in technology must either reduce labor or improve cow health and reproduction.

The standards that dairies hold themselves continue to get higher and higher and that is certainly the case for McCarty, who shares that they are looking at investing in additional robotics on their farms.

“Anything that we can do that standardizes practices on the farm, drives down labor costs and can benefit the welfare of our team members is worth pursuing,” he says. He adds that the primary focus right now is on robotics and autonomous tractors.

To hear these three producers talk more about technology and how it is playing a big role on their farms, watch the entire webinar here: https://fjwebinars.com/account/register/dairy-herd-management/167

Dystocia in Heifers Takes a Toll

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 20:26:13 GMT

While beef producers place major emphasis on calving ease and achieving healthy, live births, those traits often take a back seat to milk production and other, more highly valued traits in the dairy industry.

That’s unfortunate, argue researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Especially because dystocia – difficult or delayed birth – is itself detrimental to the dam’s ability to produce milk and milk fat, especially in the first 30 days of lactation. Other negative impacts include increased calf illness and death loss; decreased fertility in the dam; and increases in infection, illness and future calving problems for the dam.

In a comprehensive document on calving and calf care on dairy farms , the CSU researchers cited data from U.S. dairy operations over one year indicating that 18% of heifer calves from dams across all parities required assistance, while 32% of first-calf heifers needed assistance. A more localized study on Colorado dairies showed overall dystocia rates of 30-40%, with rates of more than 50% for first-calf heifers. In contrast, a study of U.S. beef operations showed a dystocia rate of 3% for second-parity-and-higher beef cows, and 17% for beef heifers.

A number of factors can cause dystocia, including oversized calves, malpresentation of the fetus, fetal deformity, overconditioned dams; and poor uterine contraction due to milk fever (which usually is not a problem in heifers). Because heifers are still growing, their pelvic structure is smaller than that of a mature cow. The tissues of the birth canal (cervix, vagina and vulva) also never have been dilated. Excess fat deposition around the pelvis also can narrow the birth canal, which is why it is so important to manage body condition in heifers.

Often manually dilating the vagina and vulva will be enough to assist first-calf heifers. In this highly visual primer on calving assistance , Pennsylvania State University researchers note that heifers may naturally take slightly longer to calve. They recommend intervening after heifers have been in active labor with feet showing for 60-90 minutes, compared to 30-60 minutes for higher-parity cows.

The CSU researchers recommend preventing dystocia through more careful sire selection when mating heifers, as well as managing nutrition to prevent heifers from becoming too fat. Training personnel to assist difficult calvings also is important, as is careful observation so timely assistance can be provided.

Don’t Let “Bad” Become “Normal”

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:24:02 GMT

Animals deserve to have a life worth living, according to world renowned animal behavior specialist Temple Grandin, PhD, professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

“I’m not just saying they deserve animal welfare,” Grandin recently told the audience of a guest lecture at Iowa State University. “Welfare is a start, but every animal deserves the chance to truly enjoy their lives, too. Anyone who doesn’t believe an animal can feel joy has not watched a dairy cow use a cow brush.”

Grandin said man sometimes is guilty of manipulating the lives of animals to achieve personal or economic outcomes that run counter to the animals’ natural instincts and/or physiological composition. She cited the English bulldog as an example.

“These dogs are very popular as pets, but they’ve been bred extensively for that massive head and cute, short snout,” she explained. “The problem is, we’ve created an animal that can’t give birth without assistance; can’t breathe well; and is highly prone to allergies, skin disorders, and dental problems. Today, they would never survive in the wild without human intervention.”

The quest for highly desirable features like the dished face and curved neck in Arabian horses also is a case of breeding taken to the extreme, according to Grandin. “Make sure ‘bad’ doesn’t become ‘normal,’” she advised.

She said when the economy of meat, milk, or eggs is favored over other traits, infrastructure is sacrificed, noting dairy cattle as an example. “When we over-prioritized milk production, we started having problems with feet and legs and reproduction,” Grandin advised. “Don’t over-select for anything. You’ll wreck your animals.”

Similarly, she said animal facilities and handling practices may become widely adopted, but that doesn’t guarantee they are in the animals’ best interest. She noted there is documented evidence that cows with less stress have lower somatic cell counts. When it comes to lowering stress, she advised:

Provide non-skid walking surfaces. Slipping and skidding incites fear in all animals, and they will avoid repeatedly treading on a slippery surface, because they remember the fear associated with it.
Offer a human touch. The flight zone of cattle – or how closely a person can physically approach them on foot without the animal fleeing – is determined by genetics, previous experience, the amount of human interaction they have, and the quality of that interaction. The more positive, close-up interaction they have with humans -- starting at birth -- the better.
Closely observe animals. Grandin said most dairy producers will underestimate their lameness rate by more than half, until they actually start monitoring and recording lameness events. And if cattle are avoiding a certain area or behavior, they probably are afraid of something – even something as innocuous as a shadow.

Grandin, who is as well-known in the autism community as she is in the animal science world, said she understands animal behavior because her own autism allows her to visualize from an animal’s perspective.

“Fear is the main emotion in autism,” she shared. “It’s why autistic people don’t cope well with loud noises, crowds, and chaos. Early in my career, I wasn’t allowed to say that cattle had ‘fear.’ But they do, and there are things we can do to help them cope with that fear and improve their lives.”

For more on animal welfare, read:

Repeat Breeders are Repeat Offenders to Your Bottomline

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 22:57:39 GMT

Unfortunately, every farmer has that one cow who just doesn’t want to get pregnant. Maybe she’s cystic. Maybe she has an underlying health issue that we don’t know about. Maybe she’s just getting old. Whatever her problem may be, she’s a repeat breeder. And if she doesn’t get pregnant soon, her time left to stay in the herd is limited.

According to Alan Ealy, Professor of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech University, repeat breeders are categorized as heifers or cows that have no clinically detectable reproductive disorders, but fail to become pregnant after three inseminations. These problem animals can also be classified as moochers, as they live off the hard work from other productive cows without giving anything in return.

“The incidence of repeater breeders varies, but based on a recent University of Minnesota study, it is not uncommon for 15 to 25% of the lactating cow herd to be repeat breeders,” Ealy says. “Herds with >25% incidence of repeat breeders have a severe problem that requires immediate action.”

If you can think off the top of your head of a few cows who aren’t getting pregnant, now’s the time to evaluate what the problem might be. Ealy recommends looking into the following areas:

Overall Health – One obvious place to start is to look at an animal’s overall health. According to Ealy, cows who experience an illness or lose a substantial amount of weight in early lactation are more likely to require multiple inseminations than healthy cows. Diseases that occur during the transition period can particularly have lingering effects on fertility.

Ovarian Disorders – Another common reason repeat breeders don’t get pregnant stems from an ovarian disorder. Cysts, extended postpartum anestrus and delayed ovulation can negatively impact an animal’s chances of getting and staying pregnant.

Poor Progesterone – According to Ealy, poor progesterone production in the estrous cycle before breeding and the cycle immediately after insemination can contribute to infertility.

Genetics – Just like other physical traits, poor reproductive genetics can be passed down from cow to cow. “Inbreeding is concerning, but unfortunately, crossbreeding is not necessarily the answer,” Ealy says. Pay attention to reproductive traits when selecting semen for your future herd.

Age – Sometimes the reason a cow can’t get pregnant might simply be because she is past her prime. Generally, older cattle have a greater incidence of requiring multiple breeding attempts.

Blame the Breeder – While we often pass blame onto the animal, sometimes the reason why she can’t conceive is our own doing. “Synchronization and artificial insemination problems can contribute to repeat breeding,” Ealy says. “Strict compliance to estrous synchronization protocols and refinements in semen handling/thawing and insemination technique are the first set of factors producers should examine when developing a plan to overcome their repeat breeder problem.”

Anatomical Defects – While anatomical defects are hard to detect, they often contribute to lower fertility. This is usually only a concern in heifers. Cows that have already successfully calved usually do not display anatomical disorders unless they experienced a difficult birth.

While repeat breeders can be incredibly frustrating to deal with, don’t throw the chance of them getting pregnant out the window just yet. Ealy recommends the following tips to help get these problem cows pregnant.

Modify your estrous synchronization program for repeat breeders. Programs that include progesterone supplementation (e.g., CIDR insertion) or that promote progesterone production (e.g., Double Ovsynch Protocol) are especially attractive because they will help ensure that cows are not ovulating an aged follicle. Some studies also report conception rate improvements when using protocols where GnRH is administered at the time of insemination.
If you are culling cows, consider culling repeat breeders that do not show estrus. Cows that exhibit estrus have greater conception rates than those that do not show estrus.
Try administering hCG 7-days after insemination. This will increase progesterone concentrations, which aids in maintaining pregnancies.
Embryo transfer is a popular approach for getting repeat breeder cows pregnant since it allows us to bypass ovulation failures and early embryonic losses. Several companies offer affordable frozen dairy and beef embryos. This scheme is especially useful during the summer months.

If you notice that you have a few moochers in your herd, take time to consult with your veterinarian and formulate a reproductive plan to help eliminate repeat breeders from taking advantage of your bottom line.

For more on reproduction, read:

How One Farm Nearly Doubled Their Pregnancy Rate

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:02:00 GMT

Getting cows pregnant is vital to literally keeping the pipeline full on a dairy. According to Jeremey Natzke of Wayside Dairy LLC near Green Bay, Wis., a 35% or better pregnancy rate equates to an outstanding repro program and a number his dairy worked hard to achieve.

Wayside shares that in order to reduce days on feed for heifers, a producer must have a maximum number of times that they breed an animal.

“At some point, you just need to pull the pin if they are not getting pregnant,” he says. “If those DNB (do not breed) cows are milking well, leave them alone and let them milk.”

Alongside Natzke, Wayside Dairy LLC is managed and owned by his father, Dan, his sister Jenna Nonemacher, new partner, Jesse Dvorchek, and himself. Milking around 2,000 cows with 1,850 replacements, the herd has a rolling herd average of 32,171 lbs. of milk and has a 4.3% butterfat with a 3.3% protein.

Natzke serves as the farm’s herd manager, overseeing the farm’s team that works with the cows from reproduction to maternity to milking, and does a lot of the scheduling for the team. About five years ago, they implemented a double lutalyse shot program which improved their conception rates.

Other changes that Wayside Dairy made that boosted their herd’s reproduction include:

Implementing a 4 mL dose of GnRH 10 days before the first breeding
Purchasing and utilizing Cow Manager monitoring system, installing tags in all their cows.

“Our heat detection rate has gone up,” Natzke shares. “The percent of cows being pregnant on herd check day has gone up. The repeat breeders show up on the system earlier so we can breed them before finding them open on herd check day. The Cow Manager tags have also helped improve our cow health. We find sick cows quicker now that we can visibly see them being sick. They get back on their feet so much faster.”

A 35% preg rate seemed nearly impossible 17 years ago for Wayside Dairy. Their preg rate hovered around 18%.

“We kept asking consultants how we can improve,” Natzke states.

Wayside brought in another set of eyes with a new veterinarian and changed nutritionists, which improved the whole team around them.

“They both challenged us and got us out of our comfort zone at times,” Natzke shares. “Double ovsynch has really improved our reproduction. There is a lot of management that takes place to get these programs in place and keep them running smoothly.”