Dairy producers who achieve reasonably good pregnancy rates can always benefit from improved heat detection. Even for those who apply timed A.I. protocols to program ovulation before first or repeat inseminations...
I have had the privilege to visit a number of dairy farms during my lifetime. Without a doubt, dairy farmers are friendly and interested in learning new concepts. During my travels, I have benefitted greatly...
Ultrasynch - a simpler program to breed cows. Improved preg rates has been just one positive result of using ultrasynch, reports Dave Stanton of Saylor Dairy (left) and Stevie Braun of COBA Select Sires...
In 1989, a major breakthrough in sperm sexing was reported by USDA scientists in rabbits. Insemination of rabbit does with Y-chromosome-bearing sperm resulted in 81 percent males, whereas insemination...
Many dairy farmers turned sour on sexed semen as 2009 unfolded. The reasons were obvious: Cash flows reduced discretionary spending, and sexed semen was viewed as discretionary, $30 more a straw compared...
Reproductive failure is the number one reason for involuntary culling. The economic importance of getting cows pregnant in a timely manner is, thus, no surprise. Fertility decline is a combination of many...
This disagreeable problem takes its toll on fresh cows. Identifying at-risk cows is your first challenge. The goal of your fresh cow program should be to get early peak milks while quickly returning cows...
When was the last time you or your A.I. technicians had an A.I. refresher course? A.I. breeding is not like riding a bicycle - once you master the skill of cycling you have no need of a refresher course....
Oh, how things have changed in the last 125 years! Although no one now living was alive in 1885, we have good evidence that dairy cattle reproduction in 2010 is very different - not the biological processes...
Reproduction drives the dairy farm business. Not only does it determine peak milk production but it drives the operation's long-term replacement pipeline. Dirt lots when well managed (dry, with soft surfaces,...
What's the best timed A.I. program? There are so many synchronization programs that can be used on my dairy herd. My question for a future Artificial Breeding column is which synchronization program would...
Research papers focused on heifer-specific reproductive issues were presented at the 103rd annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In this review, we will...
Comparing crop insurance plans might give us more insight on how to develop a better structure to protect and insure dairy. Crop insurance programs date as far back as the 1930s, but today's extensive...
As yields improve over time, a picture of how to manage corn for optimal silage performance has emerged. The yield march continues for corn silage, according to Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin extension...
The goal of silage face management is to minimize exposure to oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, yeast can metabolize lactic acid (a strong acid that keeps the silage pH low). When pH rises, undesirable...
How you can identify and correct abnormal calving positions. That heifer is definitely in labor. Sometimes you can just tell. She is straining and looks uncomfortable. Plus, there has been little progress...
Learn what you can about calving now before it is too late. Two clean, white tips of hooves are peaking out of the rear end of your 4-H heifer. Soon, a pink nose starts to come. It is her first calf, and...
Traditionally, bull fertility is difficult to evaluate in the laboratory, although many attempts have been made to assess differences among bulls. Part of this difficulty exists because sperm are exposed...
Tweaking synchronization protocols with GnRH, CIDR, or through Double Ovsynch all boosted pregnancy rates. This past summer researchers from around the world met in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the joint...
Since the advent of A.I. synchronization programs in the early 1990s, many producers now use reproductive hormones to manipulate the estrous cycle of cows in order to time ovulation and insemination and...