Select Sires

Effective Artificial Insemination Planning (Part 1)
Transcript of Select Sires' Reproductive Moment Program
on DairyLine Radio, Which Aired Nov. 7, 2002
with Dr. Paul Fricke, assistant professor and extension specialist,
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Today’s Reproductive Moment is with Paul Fricke, assistant professor and extension specialist at the dairy science department of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Today, Paul, we are kicking off the first of a two-part interview dealing with artificial insemination. In order for A.I. to be effective and successful, a system or plan needs to be implemented. This week you have some A.I. tips for us.

First and foremost, when talking about A.I., accurate record keeping is the key to successful breeding programs. Management decisions on farms should be made based on a reliable nature of reproductive performance, preferably the 21-day pregnancy rate. I think a second point is that one person on the farm should be in charge of the overall breeding program. That is to say that one person is responsible for the overall success or failure of the system that has been put into place on the farm. Sometimes when everybody is responsible for dairy cattle reproduction, then no one is responsible. Also, don’t assume that an employee knows the visual signs of a cow in heat. I think that is a big mistake people make. Herd personnel should receive explicit instructions regarding both the primary and the secondary signs of estrus. If cows are housed in free-stall barns, group the cows according to reproductive status. Research has shown that the frequency and intensity of mounting activity increases as the number of cows in heat at the same time increases. Provide good environment for footing so that cows can physically mount and stand to be mounted. Research has shown that mounting frequency and intensity is much greater for cows housed on dirt compared with cows housed on concrete. Another tip is that oftentimes cows show estrus a lot better when they are being moved, so moving them at times of observation can help. Finally, the accuracy of heat is a measure of whether cows and heifers are bred at the appropriate time of the reproductive cycle. Research has shown that between five to 30 percent of all cows receiving A.I. are not in estrus.

Thank you Paul.

Paul Fricke, assistant professor and extensive specialist at the dairy science department of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

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