Select Sires

Making Ovsynch Cost Effective for Your Herd
Transcript of Select Sires' Reproductive Moment Program
on DairyLine Radio Which Aired May 16, 2002

We’ve been discussing the value of Ovsynch and systematic breeding programs for the past couple weeks and today you have some cost cutting techniques to maximize success. Today I’d like to further discuss Ovsynch from the view of reducing cost per pregnancy. I think the key to understand how we can reduce cost per pregnancy to Ovsynch is to understand that if you do not give the second injection of GnRH, most cows will display a standing estrus within 72 hours after the prostaglandin injection. When cows display estrus, it means they are releasing GnRH from the brain, which will then cause the follicle to ovulate. Now I don’t care if your veterinarian is your brother-in-law, GnRH injections that originate in the cows brain as a result of the natural process of coming into heat are cheaper and easier to administer than those that come from a bottle. Estrus detection during the first 72 to 80 hours after prostaglandin allows greater than 50 percent of the cows to be bred to standing estrus and these cows will not require the final GnRH injection. Additionally, cows detected in estrus will have higher conception rates than those not detected in estrus allowing you to get the most efficient use of more expensive and genetically valuable semen. The cows not detected in estrus will achieve lower but very acceptable pregnancy rates when mass inseminated at 72 hours with a concurrent injection of GnRH. However, because of the lower pregnancy rates within this group, it would be wise to choose some of the least expensive semen in your tank when breeding these cows. Select Sires research found this approach resulted slightly higher, though not statistically different, pregnancy rates, but reduced the hormone cost per pregnancy to about $24 compared to $35 for the Ovsynch treatment. The key to success with this approach however, is intense estrous detection during the three days following the prostaglandin injection. If you cannot or will not heat detect, you’d be better served to stick with Ovsynch as prescribed. For more information on potential Ovsynch cost cutting procedures, contact your veterinarian or your local Select Sires Reproductive Solutions™ specialist.

™Reproductive Solutions is a trademark of Select Sires Inc.

Copyright 1996-2002 Select Sires Inc. Last updated 15-Jul-2002.

Select Sires Inc., 11740 U.S. 42 North, Plain City, Ohio 43064 / Phone: (614) 873-4683 Fax: (614) 873-5751