Select Sires

Ten Priorities of Reproductive Success
(Part One)
Transcript of Select Sires' Reproductive Moment Program
on DairyLine Radio Which Aired Sept. 25, 2003
With Dr. Mike O’Connor, Dairy and Animal Science Extension,
Penn State University

Today’s Reproductive Moment is the first in the series with Dr. Mike O’Connor of Penn State Dairy and Animal Science Extension. He has ten priorities for reproductive success. Dr. O’Connor, today you are touching on the first couple of priorities for reproductive success starting with the dry period.

We have found out in recent years that the dry period is critical to reproductive performance in the next lactation. Our objective is to have a good late dry period transition ration, so that it will maximize the intake in early lactation. Maximizing the intake in early lactation reduces the negative energy balance, which has a profound effect on the initiation of cycles in early lactation. Therefore, dairy producers are getting more focused on this transition period. It is critical that cows calve in dry, clean facilities, because that can prevent or minimize uterine infections, retained placenta, and mastitis, which are all likely to negatively impact reproductive performance. So, we are focusing more on the dry period and early lactation.

Another point worth mentioning, that you spoke of before, is providing a clean and dry maternity area to prevent mastitis and delayed conception.

All of those disorders have been shown to be financial detriments, because they delay the cycling or lower the conception rate of a first service. Even mastitis later on in lactation has recently been shown in several studies to negatively impact conception rates. Therefore, we want to provide a great environment so that these high producing cows have minimal problems, get off to a good start, start cycling, and also don’t experience reduced conception rates.

What about the voluntary waiting period, or VWP?

Yes, the voluntary waiting period, sometimes called the elective waiting period, has always been a source of controversy. When we start breeding cows or whenever a dairy producer selects, we find that cows that are bred before 50 days likely will have a lower conception rate. So, we focus on something beyond that. I would like to suggest that producers make that a management control point. In other words, if they say they are going to inseminate cows first heat after 60 days, how good are they at achieving that goal on a monthly basis or on a yearly basis? That should be a goal. Then they have to monitor to see if they are achieving that goal. So often people say, "I breed cows at first heat after 60 days," but when you look at the average days to first service it is up in the 90’s, and even higher in some problem herds. So, I am suggesting that whatever they choose, they monitor how good they are at achieving that.

We will continue with our discussion of ten priorities for reproductive success with Dr. Mike O’Connor of Penn State Dairy and Animal Science Extension on next week’s Reproductive Moment.

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