Welcome to A.I. breeding 101 - a virtual college class held here today! We have come a long way since the 1970s when fixed-time A.I. was first attempted in our industry. In those days, prostaglandin F2?...
We often think the relationship between milk production and fertility is a relatively recent concern. But, in fact, it has been debated for quite some time
Flexibility and simplicity are major differences between USDA's LGM-D pilot project and NMPF's DPMPP protection proposal In 2010, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) developed and promoted a...
The August 10 Artificial Breeding column on page 490 highlighted a new reproduction protocol sheet created by the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council. It is available on their website, www.dcrcouncil.org,...
Those who actively manage your farm's A.I. breeding program and read my column already know that reproduction is a key factor to farm profitability. You also realize that, in many cases, reproductive performance...
If you have been A.I. breeding cows for some time, you understand that many factors influence the success of each insemination, not the least of which is cleanliness of the equipment used in the process....
Probably among the best-known lines in English literature are from William Shakespeare's Hamlet's soliloquy: "To be, or not to be, that is the question." As dairy producers, you probably ask a similar...
Achieving excellent reproductive performance is a critical goal for any dairy enterprise because reproductive efficiency drives overall profitability. Although numerous factors affect reproductive performance,...
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...