Reproductive performance is a key element in maximizing the total profitability of your dairy herd. In many herds, it is also one of the greatest challenges. Reproductive success can be a reality, but reaching high reproductive performance requires careful planning and committed implementation of those plans.
The Dairy Wellness Plan provides protocols and tools to help you and your veterinarian achieve greater reproductive efficiency in your operation. Reasonable goals should include:
- 100 percent service rate of all cows in the first heat cycle (after the voluntary waiting period, generally +/- 60 days)
- Ultimately, 30 (changed from 40 to 50 percent) to 40 percent pregnancy rate in the first 21 days
Vaccinate against reproductive diseases
Develop a core vaccination program designed to help protect against the major disease causes of reproductive failure while also guarding the overall health of the herd. Your veterinarian can help you develop a specific plan. Be sure to ask about Bovi-Shield GOLD® FP, the vaccine licensed to protect against IBR-induced abortion.
Consider synchronized breeding
A synchronized breeding program can help ensure a 100% service rate for the first cycle. Several options are available by clicking on the attached website link. Your veterinarian can help you select the program and products that best fit your operation.
Getting started
Start by developing standard operating procedures. Then develop a breeding checklist spelling out who does what, and when. The Dairy Wellness Plan guidelines also provide critical control points—management red flags—for your breeding program.
Pfizer Reproductive Health Products:
EAZI-BREEDTM CIDR®
LUTALYSE® (dinoprost tromethamine) Sterile Solution
Article:
More Profitable Breeding Programs
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Program:
100-DAY CONTRACT
The 100–DAY CONTRACT® covers all aspects of the critical period from 30 days before freshening to 70 days after freshening, with the goal of optimizing early pregnancies through proper nutrition and disease management. Carefully researched protocols for both dry and lactating cows lead to healthier animals and significantly higher pregnancy rates.
Ongoing measurement and evaluation are what really set the 100-DAY CONTRACT program apart from other dairy management systems. By benchmarking herd performance, you can monitor successes and failures and make adjustments along the way.
Check out each section of the 100-DAY CONTRACT to discover more details about this revolutionary approach to Dairy Wellness. These sections include suggested goals for each measurement criterion, along with critical control points (CCPs)—"red flags" to tell you when to take corrective action in your herd. When these action points are reached, it's time to sit down with your management team and reevaluate procedures.
Make a contract with your cows today.
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