breeding heifers mark carson reproductive specialist, eastgen
TRANSCRIPT
Outline of Presentation
Losses Due to Delayed First Calving
Goals of a Heifer Program
When to Breed
Insemination Tools
Genetic Consideration
Other Consideration
Summary
Losses due to Delayed First Calving
Herd Calving in 25 Heifers per Year
Reducing from 26 to 24 months Average Feed Cost $1.97 per day Average Non-Feed Cost $1.32 per day
Average Loss $200 per Heifer $5000 per Year
Plus 4 Less Heifers Generated per Year
C o m p a r is o n A g e @ 1 s t C a lv in g v s P r o d L ife( a ll c o w s ) - C a n W e s t D H I 2 0 0 8 - 0 9
32 .132 .8 33 .1
33 .7 33 .6 33 .3 33 .1 33 .032 .6 32 .6
32 .0 32 .2
31.030 .1 29 .9
2 5
2 7
2 9
3 1
3 3
3 5
3 7
3 9
2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 0 3 1 3 2 3 3 3 4 3 5 3 6
A g e @ 1 s t C a lv in g
Tim
e S
pen
t in
H
erd
(m
o)
2 0 ,0 0 0
2 1 ,0 0 0
2 2 ,0 0 0
2 3 ,0 0 0
2 4 ,0 0 0
2 5 ,0 0 0
2 6 ,0 0 0
2 7 ,0 0 0
2 8 ,0 0 0
Lif
etim
e M
ilk
(kg
)
P ro d L ife L ife t im e M ilk
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 7005
101520253035404550
Age in Months
Milk
Yie
ld (k
g)Ideal Lactation Curve by Age
Measuring Your Performance
Goals at Breeding Average Age at First Calving 24 Months + 60% Conception Rate in Heifers + 60% Insemination Rate in Heifers + 36% Pregnancy Rate in Heifers
Goals at First Calving <7% Stillbirth Rate on 1st Lactation Cows <5% Hard Calving
When to Breed a Heifer
Breeding Recommendations Age = 13 months Weight = 875 lb (396 kg) Wither Height = 50 in (127 cm)
Calving Recommendations Age at first calving = 22 - 24 months Weight = 1250 lb (567 kg) post-calving Wither Height = 55 in (140 cm)
Activity Monitoring
Activity Monitoring in Heifer’s Becoming Popular Option
Can Help to Lower Age at First Calving
24 Hour Coverage, Good for Facilities where Heifer are Out of Site.
Activity Monitoring
Recent Survey Done on CanWest Customers found that 42% of Activity Monitoring Systems were on Heifers
Lack of Time and Desire to Improve Performance were the Main Reason for Installing the System
Timed A.I. for Heifers Timed A.I. Solutions for Problem Breeders
Help Reach the Goal of 24 Months
Discussion Options with your Herd Veterinarian
Maximize Genetic Gain
Breed All Heifers by AI Herd Bulls can cost you
~400 kg of milk (Overton and Sischo, 2005) Inability to Control Matings (Inbreeding) Unknown Calving Ease of Unproven Sire
Mate Heifers to Maximize Genetic Gain
Possible Gains from Using Genomics
Calving Ease
Hard Calving have Devastating Impact Effects Milk Production
2 kg/day less milk Effects Fertility
Average Open for 28 Days Longer Effects the Health of the Calf
Produce 700 kg less milk
Pregnancy Rate by Calving Ease
DHI Calving EASE Score
Herd #1 Herd #2 Herd #3
Unassisted 24% 27% 20%Easy 25% 23% 18%Hard 17% 13% 10%Difference (Hard – Unassisted)
7% 14% 10%
*All Herds Maintain a 60% Insemination Rate
Pregnancy Rate by Calving Ease
DHI Calving EASE Score
Herd #1 Herd #2 Herd #3
Unassisted 24% 27% 20%Easy 25% 23% 18%Hard 17% 13% 10%Difference (Hard – Unassisted)
7% 14% 10%
*All Herds Maintain a 60% Insemination Rate
AI Breeding
Have Appropriate Handling Facility
AI Equipment near Heifer’s Semen Tank Thawing Equipment Clean AI Breeding tools
Open Checking Heifers Routinely Check Heifers for Pregnancy
Routinely Move Heifers into Breeding Group
Take Action on Open Heifers
Measuring Your Performance
Goals at Breeding Average Age at First Calving 24 Months + 60% Conception Rate in Heifers + 60% Insemination Rate in Heifers + 36% Pregnancy Rate in Heifers
Goals at First Calving <7% Stillbirth Rate on 1st Lactation Cows <5% Hard Calving