Select Sires

Tying Your Breeding Program to Your Herd-Health Program
Transcript of Select Sires' Reproductive Moment Program
on DairyLine Radio Which Aired June 6, 2002

In our previous segments we’ve extensively discussed the benefits of systematic breeding programs in dairy herds. However, if there has ever been an appropriate application for the old phase "You can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear" it is certainly true for the relationship of the breeding program to the herd health program. It’s true that many of our commonly used breeding and synchronization programs are also therapeutic treatments for anestrous or problems cows, but depending on them to compensate for poor herd health and nutrition is equivalent to putting a Band-Aid on an open bullet wound. It may slow down the bleeding, but eventually, you know the outcome. In today’s high producing dairy herds, we’re realizing more and more that the critical link between herd health and reproduction is management of the transition cow. Proper body condition at the time of calving is essential to have adequate energy reserves to pull from during the stressful postpartum period of negative energy balance. Additionally, stepping up energy levels in the close-up dry cow rations helps to prevent body condition loss as a result of reduced dry matter intake in the weeks prior to calving and stimulates development of rumen papillae so cows will be ready to handle those hotter rations after freshening. Poor dry cow and nutrition programs invariably lead to postpartum metabolic and health disorders such as ketosis, milk fever, displaced deomasums (DA) and retained placenta; all of which have been associated with reduced reproductive performance. When it comes to herd health, it is important to remember that what you can see is probably just the tip of the iceberg. For every cow diagnosed with a problem, there are probably several others running at less than optimal performance, but they just don’t express the clinical symptoms. So, if you need more information on good transition cow programs to keep reproduction efficiency running at optimal levels in your herd touch base with your veterinarian, nutritionist, or local Select Sires Reproductive Solutions™ specialist.

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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